Oklahoma’s 2010 gubernatorial primary has drawn well-known political names into the mix.

The Republican primary has four candidates, with 5th District Congresswoman Mary Fallin vying against Owasso Sen. Randy Brogdon as the two leading contenders. Roger Jackson and Robert Hubbard also are on the Republican ticket, but Fallin and Brogdon are expected to be the most competitive.

In the Democratic primary, this race features two political heavyweights who both are extremely popular within their party. Lt. Gov. Jari Askins has been running for the governor’s office since January 2009. Attorney Gen. Drew Edmondson, who has served in that office since 1994, is her primary opponent.

The choice in the Democratic primary will be tough for the Democrats because both candidates are solid within their party and in their service to the state of Oklahoma. However, we have to lean toward Edmondson as the best fit for the Democratic nomination.

Edmondson has a very well-known political family name in the state; however, he’s made a name for himself as fair-minded and aggressive attorney general. He has shown the ability to work in bipartisan fashion in protecting and serving Oklahomans as attorney general.

Edmondson wants to take a more proactive approach as being the CEO of the state when it comes to dealing with building and expanding businesses and industry. He also has developed a written plan that focuses on job growth and development, which has to be a state focus as we try to come out of nearly two years of recession.

He has been pragmatic in his approach to following the law as attorney general. His decisions have gone with and against party lines. Edmondson knows control of the Legislature likely will not change, so if he were elected in the general election, he would have to be able to work with the Republican Party to get progressive and constructive growth in the state.

In the Republican primary, our choice for the nomination is Mary Fallin.

Fallin is a formidable candidate, and she has won every election in which she has run. That’s an impressive record, and we think she’ll extend that record in the Republican primary on Tuesday.

Fallin has a great deal of experience in service to the state, having served in public office the past 19 years She has served as a state representative and was lieutenant governor for 12 years under both Republican and Democratic governors.

She has solid conservative credentials most state Republicans are looking for in their gubernatorial candidate. After two stints in Congress, she fully understands how Oklahoma is in the crosshairs of a disastrous national energy agenda and can work to help protect the state’s energy industry and develop new alternative energy as well.

She offers the kind of economic platform most Oklahomans agree with, including lower taxes for families and small businesses as well as more improvements to the state’s workers’ compensation system and lawsuit reform.

She offers Oklahoma Republicans the best option to winning the governor’s seat in the November general election.