Speaker Charles McCall will keep leadership role

Capitol Bureau ddenwalt@oklahoman.com

State Rep. Charles McCall will remain speaker of the Oklahoma House.

The House Republican caucus voted Wednesday to keep McCall, R-Atoka, as speaker for another two years. The vote happened behind closed doors, and McCall would not speak to reporters about the election.

Four of his fellow Republicans initially filed to challenge him, but state Reps. Charles Ortega, Todd Russ and Tommy Hardin withdrew before the vote. Only Enid state Rep. Chad Caldwell stood in opposition Wednesday.

Caldwell previously told The Oklahoman that he was asked by his colleagues to run.

“People are obviously frustrated with the lack of progress, both inside and outside this building. And I’m sure Speaker McCall is concerned,” Caldwell said last week. “Any time that you’re in a difficult time like this, I think it’s natural and good to take a step back and reevaluate things.”

House Democrats hold their leadership elections in odd-numbered years. Current Minority Leader Steve Kouplen still has one more term in office to complete, so the next Democratic leader won’t take office until 2020, Minority Caucus Chair Emily Virgin, D-Norman, said.

Democrats in the Senate haven’t yet set a date for the next round of leadership elections.

The Republican majority in the Senate, however, will hold a vote Monday to find a successor for outgoing President Pro Tempore Mike Schulz, R-Altus. The two candidates interested in the job are Majority Floor Leader Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, and Republican Caucus ViceChair Roger Thompson, R-Okemah.