Lack of family becomes campaign issue in Oklahoma

(10-24) 04:00 PST Edmond, Okla. --

In her quest to become Oklahoma's first female governor, Democrat Jari Askins has amassed an assortment of professional qualifications: She's been a judge, a legislator, the head of a state agency and a corporate attorney.

But what she hasn't been is a wife. The 57-year-old career woman, who now serves as the state's lieutenant governor, has never been married or had children. And as this historic race between two female candidates for the state's top office nears its conclusion, that gap in her biography is attracting increasing attention.

At rallies and other appearances, opponent Rep. Mary Fallin, 55, a Republican congresswoman, regularly mentions her new husband and their combined six children. Fallin, who had two children from a previous marriage, married a divorced father of four in November. She says her family and her experience as a businesswoman and officeholder have made her most qualified to be governor.

But remarks by Fallin at a Tuesday campaign debate, in which she cited her motherhood as a key difference between the two candidates, drew groans from some in the audience and stirred discussion about whether the emphasis on Askins' unmarried status had gone too far.

Several other women in public life, including Republicans, objected. "I don't understand why that's important," said Brenda Reneau, a Republican and former state labor commissioner. "Is she going to bring them to work?"

State Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, one of 17 women serving in Oklahoma's legislature, also said Fallin's comment seemed like a "cheap shot." McIntyre, a Democrat, said Askins' unmarried status "doesn't have anything to do with anything."

Fallin supporters insisted the contrast was appropriate. "How can you not talk about family?" said Tulsa banker Charlotte Mindeman.

Although women in public office are becoming more common across the nation, their marital status still sometimes draws attention. Both of President Obama's Supreme Court nominees, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan, occasionally were asked about never marrying or having children.

For her part, Askins says she hasn't committed herself to being single forever. "I'm still hoping that when I get married, he has better football tickets than I do," she said.

This article appeared on page A - 13 of the San Francisco Chronicle