U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin, who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor this year, was in Altus Thursday to speak at the Southwest Oklahoma Republican Women's “Meet the Candidate” reception.

In her campaign for governor, Congresswoman Fallin has named job growth, education and improving the quality of life in Oklahoma as her priorities.

"I'll be the best business recruiter and chief possible," Fallin said, "As well as stand up for our rights as a state."

Fallin, who previously served as Oklahoma's Lieutenant Governor, holds double-digit leads over the two Democrats looking to hold the seat now occupied by Gov. Brad Henry, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll. Henry cannot seek re-election because of term limits.

Fallin leads Lt. Gov. Jari Askins by 51 percent to 37 percent, and leads Attorney General Drew Edmondson by 51 percent to 36 percent. Fallin is being challenged for the GOP nomination by State Sen. Randy Brogdon.

Fallin said she considers herself to be the "pro-business" candidate in the race.

In a pre-reception interview Thursday, Fallin said that her 20 years experience, comprised of 4 years in the Oklahoma legislature, Lt. Governor in the executive branch under both Gov. Keating and Gov. Henry for 12 years, and is now serving her 4th year in Washington.

"I am the only one in the race with legislative, executive branch and now federal experience," Fallin said, "which during these challenging times with our budget and especially our recession, I believe I'm the most qualified and know Oklahoma the best to be able to help lead us to more prosperous times, and through some of the budget challenges we have."

This is the fourth time Fallin has run statewide, and has won three of the races. "I feel that I have some good background and support throughout Oklahoma," Fallin said. "People know me and my reputation, so I feel people see me as part of the solution, and not the problem, and know that I've been up fighting in DC against the big spending, the big government, against national health care - fighting the system," Fallin said. "Frankly I'm thoroughly disgusted with what's happening in Washington and it's one of the reasons I want to come home is to help fight off some of the things they are trying to do to the states."

Fallin continued by saying that one of the things she is very concerned about is the unfunded mandates that Washington is trying to push down on our states.

"A good example of that is the health care bill that Pelosi tried to pass, and did author, and the bill that Obama is proposing," Fallin said. "It has $128 million of unfunded mandates that would be passed onto Oklahoma alone, not to mention the rest of the nation, or No Child Let Behind and the unfunded mandates passed on down to the states when we are having budget shortfall already, and that's one thing that governors can do - is stand up and fight unfunded mandates."

Fallin added that some of the best innovative ideas of reform has come from the states and the leadership of governors across our nation.

"So I see the opportunity to serve as governor as a great way for me to bring forth some great new initiatives for education reform, for workers compensation reform, tort reform, and things that will make us more pro-business," Fallin said. "And I will do everything I can to focus on the economy, job creation, business recruitment and promise to be the best business recruiter for the state of Oklahoma. When people have good jobs, that solves a lot of our budgetary issues because we'll be making more money and have more revenue to fund roads and bridges, prisons, and health care that are essential for the state of Oklahoma."

Fallin also said she plans on re-instating her Fallin Commission on Workers Compensation Reform that she had when she was Lt. Governor. Fallin to help lower our Workers Compensation costs.

"Then I'm going to take an in-depth look at our government and ask the question, 'Is the government delivering the service effectively and efficiently? And is it still something we still need? And if not, get rid of it. And if there is a better way of doing it, or even someplace in a private sector it can be done more efficiently and affectively?' I will look at all those different options," Fallin said.

"I also want to take a look at how we run our government itself, take a look at our tax structure and try to help us be as competitive as possible with other states with our tax structure - Texas has no income tax. And I think we need to take a hard, long look at our taxes in Oklahoma and try to always keep them low, but keep us competitive in the area of rules, regulations and tax structure. I think that's very important."

When asked if there was one thing she wanted people to remember when it comes time to go the polls, Fallin said, "That I will do everything within my power to create good jobs in the state of Oklahoma and grow our economy."

In 2006, Mary was elected to the United States Congress, where she has fought against dangerous government expansion and promoted pro-growth, fiscally responsible policies. For her work on behalf of the people of Oklahoma and her conservative values, Mary has been named a “Guardian of Small Business,” by the National Federation of Independent Business, a “Hero of the Taxpayer,” by Americans for Tax Reform, a “Friend of the Wildcatter” from the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association and received the “True Blue” award from Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council as well as the “Spirit of Enterprise” award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She has a lifelong score of 96 from the American Conservative Union, the highest of any congressman in the Oklahoma delegation.

Mary is a Tecumseh native and a member of Crossings Church. She is also the proud mother of two children, Price and Christina. She lives in Edmond with her husband, Wade Christensen, an Oklahoma City attorney.