Ag chairman Lucas gets primary challenger

by Erik Wasson - 01/27/14 3:54 PM ET

A Tea Party challenger announced Monday he will run against House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.).

Lucas was straining to put the finishing touches on a five-year farm bill on Monday as the local businessman Robert Hubbard announced his candidacy in Oklahoma’s 3rd distict.

“We are the reddest congressional district in the reddest state in the country,” said Hubbard. “Yet Congressman Lucas has one of the most liberal voting records in our state.”

Hubbard said that addressing the national debt will be a top issue in his capaign.

The Club for Growth targeted Lucas for a primary challenge but weren’t yet ready to back Hubbard on Monday.

“We’re watching the race,” said spokesman Barney Keller when asked about the candidate.