OKLAHOMA CITY - Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa, said Wednesday that he is running for Tulsa County District Attorney.
The post is now held by Republican Tim Harris. The election is slated for November 2014.
Crain said that about a year ago, there was a gang shooting close to his home, which reinforced to him that Tulsa is much more violent than it was a generation ago, something he would like to see change.
Harris said he will make an announcement regarding whether he will seek re-election when he thinks the time is appropriate. He has held the post for four terms.
Crain's legislative term will end by law in 2016. He does not have to resign his Senate seat to run for district attorney.
Crain is an attorney who practices primarily civil law. He holds a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Oklahoma and a law degree from the University of Tulsa.
He is working toward a master's degree in public administration.
Crain was an assistant district attorney in Tulsa County for about three years in the mid-1990s, he said.
Crain said that if the district attorney's seat were open, he likely would need to raise about $300,000. To take on Harris, he said, he likely would need to raise about $500,000.
Tulsa County Democratic Party Chairman Michael Whelan, a Tulsa attorney, said his party has been talking to potential candidates but doesn't have any firm commitments for the district attorney's race yet.
He said some people are waiting to see what Harris decides to do.
Whelan said many people are concerned about what kind of district attorney Crain would make, adding that as a lawmaker, Crain did some things for purely political reasons, such as sponsoring an ill-fated "personhood" bill to rally some of his Republican base.
Tulsa County Republican Party Chairman Mike McCutchin said he is not aware of any other Republicans who have announced that they are running for the post.
Barbara Hoberock 405-528-2465
barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: Senate Republican to challenge Tulsa County DA for post
Elections 2013
Every Monday through Nov. 4, the Tulsa World will publish answers from Tulsa mayoral candidates on questions about major issues leading up to the Nov. 12 election.
A civil engineer who worked in Iraq. A former college football player. Students eyeing political careers.
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