Changing of the guard: New leadership in the political culture of Oklahoma

Abstract

The Oklahoma political culture is set for a new era. Several political and
demographic factors explain why the change is occurring, such as term limits,
growing suburbanization, and increased newcomers in some rural legislative
districts. As term limits decreases the importance of seniority, the power structure in the legislature may be determined by the sheer number of representatives each area brings to the capitol. The effect of term limits and population shifts will cause the energies of the legislature to be focused more on the issues of concern for urban and suburban Oklahomans, often at the expense of their rural counterparts. These factors will affect primarily rural legislators, which, from statehood to the present, have disproportionately influenced Oklahoma politics.