Published: October 30, 2009 05:40 pm      

Treasurer Meacham says he won’t run for office

OKLAHOMA CITY — OKLAHOMA CITY — State Treasurer Scott Meacham announced Friday he will not seek another term as state treasurer following the expiration of his current term in January of 2011. He also announced that he will not seek any other elective office.

“There has certainly been a lot of speculation on my future political plans over the last several months,” Meacham said. “I appreciate the patience shown by the media, my supporters and others as my family has gone through a difficult time with the passing of my wife’s sister from cancer.”

Meacham said he has enjoyed his eight years as a public servant, but that he has not relished partisan politics and having to continuously run for office.

“The toll on my responsibilities to my family and just missing out on so many moments in my children’s lives is too great,” he stated.

The Edmond resident said he has accomplished what he set out to do by increasing earnings on the state’s investments, cutting costs for state financial services and reducing staffing levels and overhead in the Treasurer’s Office. He also touts the increased number of families taking advantage of the Oklahoma College Savings Plan.

“I appreciate the many Oklahomans from both political parties who have encouraged me to look at the governor’s race or the attorney general’s race. Although it would be a great honor to serve the citizens of this state in either of those positions, I do not feel that is the best path for me or my family at this time.

“I have not yet even considered what I might do next in my career, although I certainly have accumulated an interesting résumé as a banker, attorney, state agency head and elected statewide office holder,” Meacham said. “I believe the Lord leads us according to His will through doors opening and closing along life’s path and while the elected office holder door is closing, I am sure some other door will open.”

Meacham was named by Gov. Brad Henry to serve as Oklahoma’s 17th state treasurer and began serving in that position on June 1, 2005, serving out the remaining unexpired term of Robert Butkin. Prior to being named treasurer, Meacham had been the state finance director since January of 2003. Meacham previously was the chief executive officer and general counsel of the First National Bank and Trust of Elk City. Meacham was elected to a full, four-year term as state treasurer in 2006, garnering 59 percent of the vote in his first run for public office.