A story in the area media last week suggested Boren may be considering running for the U.S. Senate, against either of two incumbents, U.S. Senators Jim Inhofe of Tulsa and Tom Coburn of Muskogee. Both are Republicans.
"I have no current plans" to seek any other political office, Boren said. "There are a lot more things I want to get done in the House."
Boren's bill, H.R. 1676, to provide loan guarantees to lenders who make mortgage loans to eligible borrowers for homes located in areas designated as "Indian Country," was signed into law last week by President George W. Bush. Boren explained that much of the land described as Indian land is held in trust by the federal government, and as such cannot be mortgaged. The new law allows that land to be mortgaged and will "provide home ownership opportunities throughout Indian Country," Boren said.
Boren said he wants to continue working in the House on economic development and more job opportunities in his district. "I want to address the issue of the district's high rates of unemployment," Boren said.
About his upcoming campaign in 2008 to remain in the House, Boren said, "I want to let my work speak for me."
In addition, Boren said he and his wife, Andrea, are expecting their first child, a daughter, in October. He said the baby will be named Janna to honor his late grandmother Janna Robbins.
In the same article last week, it was reported that State Sen. Kenneth Corn (D-Poteau) is also considering running for the U.S. Senate.
Corn is limited by state law to two terms in the State House, and is serving the second year of his second four-year term as a senator. He served as a state representative from 1998 to 2002 when he was elected to the senate. Boren, on the federal level, does not face term limits.
Corn said Wednesday afternoon that running for the U.S. Senate "is not something I've closed the door on. I've been trying to get around the state and see if there is any interest (in a run for the U.S. Senate)."
