Republicans and Democrats are producing two big names for candidates in what is becoming a historic race for the governor’s seat.

Lt. Governor Jari Askins and Rep. Mary Fallin each have announced they will run for governor in 2010.

Congresswoman Fallin is so far the only Republican to announce that she seeks to fill Democratic Gov. Brad Henry’s seat, which he must vacate because of term limits. Jari Askins became the state’s second female lieutenant governor after Fallin resigned to take her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in January 2007.

Both candidates are Oklahoma natives. Fallin grew up in Techumseh and Askins grew up in Duncan. Askins graduated from OU while Fallin is an Oklahoma State University alumna.

If elected, either would become the first woman to serve as governor of Oklahoma. Fallin has already put her name in Oklahoma history books by becoming the first woman to serve as lieutenant governor. When she won her seat in Congress, Fallin became the first woman since 1921 to be elected to represent Oklahoma in Congress.

“I like making history,” Fallin said.

Fallin said her gender is a non-issue, because she already has proven she has the skills and abilities to get the job done.

“With my experience and knowledge of Oklahoma politics and issues, I feel more than ready to be governor,” she said.

Fallin must wait for the Democratic Party primary to conclude between Askins and state Attorney General Drew Edmondson to figure out who she will face in the general election.

If Askins defeats Edmondson, Oklahoma will face another historic moment when both major parties for the first time will have two women competing against each other for the state’s top job.

“I look forward to running against Mary,” Askins said. “It will be a great historical time for Oklahoma.”

Fallin emphasized the effect of her and Askins’ candidacies as a positive influence on young women.

“This race will be a great opportunity to show the little girls growing up in Oklahoma that they can be anything they want to be regardless of the way God made them,” Fallin said.

Fallin considers herself a strong conservative in both her voting record in Congress and her actions as lieutenant governor.

“I believe in limited government, free enterprise, family values and the Constitution,” she said.

Askins also said she identifies herself as conservative, but tries to do what is right regardless of political affiliation.

Fallin and Askins both predict the economy and state job growth will be the major issues in the 2010 gubernatorial campaign.