Former state senator files paperwork for governor’s race

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A former Democratic state senator from Oklahoma City has filed paperwork to run for Oklahoma governor in 2022.

Connie Johnson filed a statement of organization last week with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. That allows Johnson to start raising and spending money on her campaign.

Johnson is the first Democrat to file paperwork indicating plans to run for the seat.

A longtime opponent of the death penalty and the state’s high incarceration rate, Johnson has been a vocal supporter of legalizing marijuana.

She ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2018 and for U.S. Senate in 2014.