US Rep. Lankford Announces Run for US Senate Seat Republican U.S. Rep. James Lankford says he'll run for the U.S. Senate seat left open by U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn's resignation. Lankford told The Associated Press of his plans Monday, days after Coburn said he will vacate his seat with two years remaining on his term. A longtime director of a youth summer camp, Lankford was a political unknown when he emerged from a crowded Republican primary field in 2010 to win the U.S. House seat. He won re-election in 2012 and was the only member of Oklahoma's House delegation to not face a GOP primary opponent that year. On Sunday, Attorney General Scott Pruitt and Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Cole said they wouldn't run for Coburn's seat. The special election will coincide with the regular election 2014 election cycle.