Bridenstine announces bid for Congress

Tulsa Congressman John Sullivan will have some competition in his re-election bid.  And it's coming from another Republican.

Jim Bridenstine has formally announced his candidacy for U.S. Congress in Oklahoma's 1^st District.

Bridenstine, a Navy combat pilot who flew missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, insists there are a number of differences between himself and Sullivan.

Bridenstine criticized Sullivan for voting in favor of lifting the debt ceiling 11 times in 11 years: "Not only did he do that…but this time they created a Super Committee.  Now this Super Committee is extra constitutional.  When they come out with the plan, there'll be no debates, no amendments, and no filibuster opportunity in the United States Senate.  And those twelve members of the Super Committee don't represent the 1^st District of Oklahoma."

Bridenstine also slammed Sullivan for voting for TARP, the Troubled Asset Relief Program: “He (Sullivan) told us the United States government was going to buy bad assets off the balance sheets of banks.  Instead, they took a $700 billion check from the taxpayer…and they started taking ownership of banks, insurance companies and ultimately General Motors.”

Bridenstine, a Navy Reserve pilot, formerly served as executive director of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum.

Sullivan is serving in his 5^th term full term after winning a special election in 2002.