Fallin-Askins react to making history

TULSA - The race for Oklahoma governor puts the state in the national spotlight with the first female governor to be elected in November.

After Monday's primary results, Jari Askins holds the democratic nomination and Mary Fallin the republican.
Now, both will face each other in a general election match up that has happened only 3 times in U.S. history.

"It's a big thing for the state of Oklahoma to say hey we're gonna put a female in this office and we trust a female to run the state of Oklahoma." said Dr. Michael Hirlinger, Professor of Government at Oral Roberts University.

Hirlinger said he believes voters want to see a change, and are hoping they get that change with female leaders.

"People want that, they want to see something different in government and the way government is run." said Hirlinger.

2NEWS caught up with Congresswoman Mary Fallin Tuesday at a chamber luncheon in Tulsa.

"One thing Lt. Governor Askins and I were joking about today is when you're a woman on the campaign trail sometimes you take hits just for being woman; at least now we don't have to worry about that." said Congresswoman Mary Fallin.

Both agree though, the race is not about gender.

"I'm not running to be the first woman Governor of Oklahoma, I'm running to be the next Governor of Oklahoma." Askins told her supporters Monday night.

"Were gonna continue to focus on our campaign plan, that's jobs and economy and working toward improving education." said Fallin.

Both women have 4 months to campaign until general elections in November.