Senator Cal Hobson Elected to Top Senate Post, Will Become Senate President Pro Tempore in 2002

State Senator Cal Hobson confirmed Tuesday that he has secured unanimous support from fellow Democrats to win election as the next President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate. The Lexington Democrat said that every member of the Democratic caucus has provided him with an official pledge card, promising to support his election to the top Senate post. Hobson will replace Senator Stratton Taylor after his current term expires in two years. Taylor is not seeking another term as Senate President Pro Tempore, but is running for re-election to the State Senate in 2002.

According to Senator Hobson, a large majority of Senate members contacted him several months ago and offered to support him in a bid for the Senate's top job.

"The members urged me to serve as President Pro Tempore and I agreed. I'm honored by the confidence that they have expressed in me. I look forward to serving as leader of the Senate after Senator Taylor steps down at the end of his term in 2002," said Senator Hobson.

The Senate President Pro Tempore serves as the leader of the State Senate, setting the agenda, appointing officers and committees and performing a variety of other leadership duties. When the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are out of the state, the State Constitution directs that the Senate President Pro Tempore serve as acting governor.

Before his election to the State Senate in 1990, Hobson served 12 years in the State House, rising to the influential position of chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. After his election to the Senate, Hobson was named vice-chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. He has also served as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and the Judiciary and currently holds the position of chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education.