Published: November 06, 2008 11:29 pm         

Edmond lawmaker tabbed for No. 2 Senate post

EDMOND — State Sen. Glenn Coffee said Thursday he will appoint Todd Lamb majority floor leader, making the Edmond resident the first Republican in state history to hold the powerful post.

For the past couple of years, the number of Republican seats and Democratic seats in the Senate was deadlocked at 24-24. Tuesday, Republicans gained two more seats, breaking the tie, giving the GOP control of the Senate for the first time in state history. The GOP already controls the House.

“I can’t wait until the session begins so we can really get about the people’s business and put forth a pro-growth, pro-law enforcement, pro-family, pro-education agenda,” Lamb said Thursday.

Before Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, announced Lamb’s appointment, he was elected president pro tempore, the top leadership post in the Senate. Republicans will caucus again Nov. 18 to elect the Senate’s other majority leadership posts.

“Senator Lamb is an integral part of the Senate Republican team,” Coffee said. “I am confident Todd will do an exceptional job as the first Republican to serve as Senate majority floor leader.”

As majority floor leader, Lamb will be an ex officio voting member of all Senate committees. Lamb’s duties will include assigning bills to various committees and scheduling hearings for bills.

During the coming days and weeks, Lamb said he will serve on a transition committee with fellow Edmond Sen. Clark Jolley. Lamb also will work on plans for a December GOP retreat.

Being a Senate leader is a family tradition. Lamb’s father, Norman Lamb, was Senate co-chairman when Sen. Jerry T. Pierce was chairman.

Todd Lamb was first elected to the Senate in 2004 to represent District 47, which encompasses northwest Oklahoma City and portions of Edmond and Deer Creek. District landmarks include Oklahoma Christian University, Mercy Hospital, Quail Springs Mall, Francis Tuttle Technology Center and the Baptist Retirement Village.

In 1998, Lamb became a special agent with the Secret Service. Lamb investigated and made numerous arrests in the areas of counterfeiting, bank fraud, threats against the president and identity theft. His duties included domestic and international protection assignments during the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations.

In 2000, Lamb was a site supervisor for George W. Bush’s presidential campaign. In early 2001, he was appointed to the national Joint Terrorism Task Force, where he received training and briefings at the CIA, FBI and Secret Service. After the terrorists’ attacks, he was assigned to portions of the 9-11 investigation.

Lamb left the Secret Service in 2002 to spend more time with his wife and family. He accepted a position on the staff of former U.S. Sen. Don Nickles. Currently he is general counsel for CLS Group in Edmond.

     

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