Morgan runs for state insurance chief

Former House co-Speaker Richard Morgan, R-Moore, has filed to run for Insurance Commissioner in 2012.

Morgan served as co-speaker in the 2003-04 session with disgraced former Democratic Speaker Jim Black. The unprecedented arrangement was the result of a deal that angered many conservative House Republicans. Targeted for a primary in 2006, Morgan lost his seat to Rep. Joe Boylan, who was in turn unseated in 2008.

Morgan ran for state schools chief in 2008, but lost to incumbent Democrat June Atkinson.

"It's time for me to re-enter political life," Morgan said this morning, noting that he has run for Commissioner of Insurance before. That was in 1984, and he lost the race to Jim Long, the mentor of Democratic incumbent Wayne Goodwin.

"There were a lot more Democrats then," Morgan pointed out.

In the May primary, Morgan will face Mike Causey, the GOP nominee for the office in 1996 and 2000. Another Republican, James McCall, has said he's running but has not yet filed the paperwork.

Goodwin faces no primary challenger on the Democratic side. 

The filing deadline is noon Wednesday.