Martin wins handily

By Carol Cole-Frowe

November 05, 2008 01:19 am

— Incumbent state Rep. Scott Martin said he never took anything for granted in his race for reelection to the District 46 legislative seat.
"It was extremely humbling as we knocked doors," the Norman Republican said at a GOP watch party Tuesday at Coach's restaurant. "The response was fantastic. ... I am really overwhelmed by the response."
Martin beat political newcomer Miranda Norman by 11,497 to 5,939 votes with 91 percent of precincts reporting at 11 p.m.
He said this race was different, because this time he ran on what he had done for the district.
"Sharing my message and my vision," Martin said. "(Constituents) wanted to know that we were doing what they sent us up there to do."
He said they also seemed to appreciate his honesty and candor.
"This doesn't happen in a vacuum," he said. "This doesn't happen by itself."
Martin said he was gratified to get a higher percentage this time than he did in his first campaign, taking about 65 percent compared to 61 percent.
And he said he's happy to be going back to the Oklahoma Legislature.
"I cherish it and I honor it," Martin said of his service.
He gracefully dodged a suggestion that he might be a Republican candidate for governor in 2010, smiling but denying that he would be interested.
"No, no, no, no," he said, when GOP leader Bobby Cleveland suggested it.
Miranda Norman thanked her young daughter at the Democratic watch party in the Holiday Inn ballroom, during her concession speech.
"We're proud of the work we've done," said the first-time candidate. "It's a tough district to run in as a Democrat. I'm proud of the campaign we ran and being part of the Cleveland County Democrats."
Carol Cole-Frowe
366-3538
ccole@normantranscript.com