Gay Norman paramedic to seek open US Senate seat

Oklahoma City (AP) — A 31-year-old paramedic from Norman says he plans to seek the Republican nomination in the race for Oklahoma's open U.S. Senate seat.

Jason Weger, who is gay, told The Associated Press on Tuesday he's running in part because of a lack of diversity within the GOP.

A native of Valliant in southeast Oklahoma, Weger said he has never sought political office before. He describes himself as a "non-establishment" candidate who believes in individual freedom and a smaller government.

U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn announced last week that he was stepping down from his seat with two years remaining on his term.

Republican U.S. Rep. James Lankford announced Monday he would seek to replace Coburn. House Speaker T.W. Shannon and U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine in Tulsa also are considering the race.

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The Gayly – January 22, 2014 @ 12:35pm