Senator Tom Coburn to Run Again 2010

Staff and Wire Reports

TULSA, Oklahoma --U.S. Senator Tom Coburn announced Monday morning that he is running for re-election next year.

The Republican from Muskogee announced the decision at a news conference at the Tulsa Press Club in downtown Tulsa.

"Today, I am announcing my intention to seek a second, and final, term in the United States Senate in 2010," Coburn said. 

"This decision has been difficult for me, my wife and our family.  I don't like being away from Oklahoma and my medical practice, nor do I like asking my loved ones to make sacrifices.  I also don't particularly like Washington, DC."

Coburn is a doctor specializing in family medicine and obstetrics.  

He was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004, defeating Democrat Brad Carson with 53 percent of the vote. 

During the 2004 campaign, Coburn pledged to serve no more than two terms in the Senate if he won.

"I first made the unlikely decision to seek public office because I was alarmed by Washington's desire to impose collectivism and socialism on the public, particularly in the area of health care. Today, we face the same challenge.  Many in Washington are claiming that all problems can be solved with more spending and less individual freedom.  Those ideas have never worked and they never will.  While I'm confident the wisdom of the American people will prevail, we won't win without a fight.

Coburn previously was elected to three consecutive terms as a U.S. congressman.