Mick Hinton
Norman Transcript
When Dan Boren was asked whether he might some day run for Oklahoma governor like his father, he said Tuesday, “I wouldn’t rule it out.”
Boren, a former U.S. representative from Oklahoma, addressed older students attending a University of Oklahoma session about what it was like being part of three generations of Borens who had each served as Democrat politicians.
The speaker’s comment about a governor’s race drew instant applause from about 130 people attending the event when he opined about the future.
Dan Boren’s father is OU President David Boren, a former Oklahoma governor and also a former U.S. Senator.
President Boren sat in the front row of the classroom and did not speak until his son finished his morning address.
As the OU president arrived a little late, Dan Boren chuckled, “Now, I am the Boren who is never late.”
The younger Boren also talked about how it was being the grandson of former U.S. Representative Lyle Boren, of Seminole. Grandfather Lyle was a U.S. congressman from 1937 to 1947.
David Boren, 73, served as Oklahoma governor from 1975 to 1979. He was a U.S. senator from 1979 to 1994. He also served as a state House member beginning in 1967 while still a law student at OU.
In 2017, David Boren will have completed 50 years of public service.
Dan, 41, now serves as president of corporate development for the Chickasaw Indian Nation. He and his wife, Andrea, live in Edmond with their two children, Janna and Hunter.
Boren was asked about his view on term limits, which state legislators have to follow. He said term limits should not be required of U.S. congressmen because they can be voted out of office by their constituency.
Dan Boren said he decided to term limit himself when he gave up the post after eight years of service. He noted that being home with his wife and children every day was preferable.
He commented that in Congress, there is the “hot house” with all members elected every two years. With U.S. senators serving six-year terms, they are the more deliberative body that helps the public.
Boren acknowledged that he is still a board member of the National Rifle Association, which was backed by his constituency when he was in Congress.
Dan said there are occasions when he and his father have disagreed on issues.
He noted that he and his father “have had very interesting conversations” about the NRA and if and when guns should be allowed for constituents.
After young Boren’s address, he and his father were asked about whether there could ever be an Independent elected as president.
OU President Boren noted that in Oklahoma and elsewhere in the nation, more are registering as Independents.
Noting that more than 200,000 are registered Independent in Oklahoma, Boren said he thinks the law should be changed so everyone, including Independents, could vote in primary races.
Dan said he also supports a movement toward allowing Independents to vote in primaries.
The younger Boren noted that it has been very interesting being the son of the OU president.
“Toby Keith endorsed me,” Dan Boren said.
He noted that in a McAlester gathering of about 800 people, Keith commented, “You know what I like about Dan Boren? He can always pick up the phone and call his dad.”
Not a lot of ‘good’ Democrats out there – he’s one of them. He would have my vote.
The House is the “people’s house” – what we need is a measure to recall candidates who campaign one way and vote the opposite when they get to DC. Independent voters usually lean Republican, independent candidates are simple democrats in sheep’s clothing.
I would vote for him with not a second of hesitation. We need someone up there that knows politics and cares about the people too!!!! Just let me know and I will post signs, bumper stickers, contribute, you name it… SE OK & Tulsa area too =)