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INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Photographs included in the original manuscript have laeen reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. Bell & Howell Information and Learning 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Artx>r, Ml 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0600 UMI’ NOTE TO USERS This reproduction is the best copy available. UMI’ UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA GRADUATE COLLEGE CHOOSING TO RUN: THE DYNAMICS OF CANDIDATE EMERGENCE IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE OF OKLAHOMA A Dissertation SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE FACULTY in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree o f Doctor o f Philosophy By JEFFREY BIRDSONG Norman, Oklahoma 2001 UMI Number; 3004868 UMI UMI Microform 3004868 Copyright 2001 by Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O.Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 c Copyright by JEFFEIEY BIRDSONG 2001 All Rights Reserved CHOOSING THE RUN: THE DYNAMICS OF CANDIDATES EMERGENCE IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE OF OKLAHOMA A Dissertation APPROVED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE By Acknowledgments I would like to thank many individuals for helping me put this dissertation together. From the University of Oklahoma, I thank my advisor. Dr. Gary Copeland, whose guidance got this project started, as well as committee member Dr. Keith Caddie, whose insightful comments strengthened my writing considerably. From my family, I thank my parents. Art and Donna Birdsong, for their support over the years. I also thank my wife. Dr. Seonae Ha-Birdsong, for her patience and assistance. My research was aided by the library staff at Northeastern Oklahoma A & M college, namely librarians Bill Pfannenstiel and Dee Buffalo. Also, the maps, charts, and graphs used throughout the work were dramatically improved with the help of Sloan Brown. I also received a great deal of information and insight on the Oklahoma State legislature from my hometown legislator. Representative Larry D. Roberts, to whom 1 am particularly grateful. TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Chsptcr Onei Introduction ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Objective of the Research -------------------------------------------------------------------------9 Theoretical Framework ---------------------------------------------------------------------------10 Literature Review ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------17 Theories of Candidacy ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 17 Candidate Emergence in the State Legislatures ---------------------------------------24 Candidate Emergence and Political Parties -------------------------------------------- 29 Candidate Emergence at the Congressional Level ----------------------------------- 32 Candidate Emergence and Realignments ---------------------------------------------- 36 Candidate Emergence and the Power of Incumbency -------------------------------37 Preview of Chapters Two, Three, and Four -------------------------------------------------39 IL Chapter Two: The Changing Political Culture of Oklahoma ------------------------------- 49 The Distinction of Oklahoma -------------------------------------------------------------------50 A Regional Classification for Oklahoma: An Unresolved Debate -------------- 54 The Party Structure of Oklahoma -------------------------------------------------------------58 The Deceptive History of One-Party Dominance ------------------------------------ 59 Differences between Democrats and Republicans in Oklahoma ---------------------- 67 “Home Style” and Rural Democrats ----------------------------------------------------- 76 Party Activists and Their Influence on Candidates ---------------------------------- 79 The Rural to Urban Shift ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 87 III. Chapter Three: Who Runs and Why for the State Legislature? ---------------------------101 Methodology --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 101 The Candidates of the Two Parties ---------------------------------------------------------- 110 Amateur and Career-Oriented Candidates and Their Motivations -------------------125 Unopposed Candidates ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 130 The “Hopeless” Candidates --------------------------------------------------------------------142 The Influence of Political Parties on Candidate Emergence --------------------------- 152 The Human Element of Campaigning ------------------------------------------------------161 The Ultimate Decision for Candidacy ------------------------------------------------------ 167 IV. Chapter Four: An Evaluation of Candidate Emergence from Election 2000 ----------180 Review of Potential Candidates in the 2000 Elections ----------------------------------188 The Number of Candidates in Open Seats ------------------------------------------------- 206 The Power of Incumbency -------------------------------------------------------------------- 209 What Will Term Limits Mean to Candidate Emergence in the Legislature? — 217 V. Chapter Five: Conclusion ---------------------------------------------------------------------------228 Review of the Preceding Chapters ---------------------------------------------------------- 228 Improvements on the Study ------------------------------------------------------------------- 238 What Future Research May Bring ----------------------------------------------------------- 241 VI. Bibliography ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 252 Appendix A: Unopposed Candidates -----------------------------------------------------------------265 Appendix B: Number of Candidates per Open Seat ----------------------------------------------- 279 Appendix C: Number of Incumbents Who Retired or Were Defeated ------------------------ 284 Appendix D: Interview Schedule -----------------------------------------------------------------------292 Appendix E: Demographic Changes per County in Oklahoma -------------------------------- 295 MAPS Maps Page Map L 1988 Missouri Presidential Election ----------------------------------------------------------71 Map 2. 1992 Missouri Presidential Election ----------------------------------------------------------72 Map 3. 1988 Oklahoma Presidential E lection ------------------------------------------------------- 72 Map 4. 1992 Oklahoma Presidential E lection ------------------------------------------------------- 73 Map 5. Population Growth per County in Oklahoma 1990-1997 --------------------------------88 Map 6. Percentage o f Residents 55 or Older per County in Oklahoma -----------------------90 Map 7. Percentage of Residents 75 or Older per County in Oklahoma ---------------------- 91 Map 8. Regions of Oklahoma Based on Interstate Highway System ----------------------- 266 Map 9. Central Counties from Third Congressional District -----------------------------------266 TABLES Tables Page Table 1. Synopsis of Reasons for Candidacy --------------------------------------------------------168 Table 2. The Contribution Disparity for Incumbents Interviewed ----------------------------- 196 Table 3. Spending Patterns of Incumbents Who Lost Reelection ----------------------------- 197 Table 4. Successful Incumbents Who Were Outspent -------------------------------------------- 198 Table 5. Campaign Spending in Open S eats ---------------------------------------------------------199 Table 6. Selective District Races ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 201 Table 7. Average Number of Democratic Candidates in Rural Open Seats ---------------- 206 Table 8. Average Number of Republican Candidates in Rural Open Seats ---------------- 207 Table 9. Average Number of Democratic Candidates in Suburban/Urban Open Seats - 207 Table 10. Average Number of GOP Candidates in Suburban/Urban Open Seats -------- 208 Table 11. Number of Incumbents Retired/Defeated Per Y ear --------------------------------- 210 Table 12. Berkman’s Ranking of State Legislative Professionalism ------------------------- 215 CHARTS Charts Page Chart 1. Number of Unopposed Candidates ---------------------------------------------------------- 132 Chart 2. Unopposed Democratic