OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The
new, 72-member-strong Oklahoma House Republican Caucus has confirmed
Lawton Republican T.W. Shannon will become the first African-American
speaker of the House in Oklahoma.
Shannon was unopposed and
formally assumed the title of House speaker-elect on Thursday following
the first meeting of the new GOP caucus. He will replace outgoing House
Speaker Kris Steele of Shawnee who was term-limited.
Shannon was elected House speaker-designate last year in a close race against Rep. Jeff Hickman of Dacoma.
This year's Republican
caucus includes 13 new members who were elected this cycle. The 72
members in the 101-member House of Representatives makes it the largest
GOP majority in state history.
Also on Thursday, the
caucus selected Enid Republican Rep. Mike Jackson as Speaker Pro
Tempore-elect and several other leadership positions.
Copyright
2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not
be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
