Republican Rep. Tom Cole, who has spent more than 20 years in the House, says he is planning on running for a 13th term, in large part because of what he and other members of the Oklahoma delegation are able to deliver now that they’ve accumulated more power.
Oklahoma, he said, is “probably better pos it ioned on this committee than we’ve ever been as a state,” due to his own chairmanship, rising power in Rep. Stephanie Bice’s position as vice chair on an appropriations subcommittee, and Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s perch as a Senate appropriator. Cole is expected to have at least one more term as Appropriations chair, as long as Republicans retain the majority.
“I like to work,” Cole said. “This is an extraordinary opportunity, a great privilege to have. I think we’re able to do some pretty important things for Oklahoma.”
