[2] Her showing was strong enough to force a runoff between House Speaker Todd Hiett and Senator Scott Pruitt.
Before she switched parties, Democrats had a slim one seat margin in the Senate, illustrating the importance of her move.
[3] The driving force in my decision is that no one in leadership is listening to moderates in the Oklahoma Republican Party.
[4]In April 2007, GOP Senate leader Glenn Coffee saw defeating Riley as the top priority in 2008.
Riley said after the 2007 legislative session that she feels more independent in the Democratic caucus, and can vote her own way rather than the party line.