Lawmaker Won’t Seek New Term in New District
- Share via
Blaming Democrats for planning districts that would cut him off from his constituents, Republican Rep. Wes Watkins said he will not run for reelection this year.
Watkins said every map being discussed by the Democrat-controlled state Legislature places his Stillwater residence outside his 3rd Congressional District.
Oklahoma is losing one of its six congressmen because census figures show its population did not grow as fast as other states.
Watkins held the seat as a Democrat from 1977-91. Switching parties in 1996, he retook the seat and was reelected twice.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox twice per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
