The Tea Party group FreedomWorks is adding its name to the long list of conservatives backing Oklahoma House Speaker T.W. Shannon (R) against Rep. James Lankford (R-Okla.) in their battle to succeed retiring Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.).
{mosads}The group joins the Senate Conservatives Fund, Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Mike Lee (R-Utah), and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) in backing Shannon, who has quickly become anti-establishment Republicans’ favorite in the race.
“T.W. Shannon is a principled leader who doesn’t simply talk about small-government reforms, he works to make them a reality,” FreedomWorks President Matt Kibbe said. “We have enough talkers in Washington — it’s time to send more leaders like T.W. Shannon who will get things done.”
Lankford, a member of House GOP leadership who has compiled a conservative voting record in the House, has the backing of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R).
The primary is in late June.