(AP) — A state question headed for the ballot in 2010 would prohibit Oklahoma's current popular governor — and other past chief executives — from running for state government's No. 1 job again. Under a proposal referred to a statewide vote by the 2009 Legislature, statewide elected officials are subject to term limits, eight years for all but members of the Corporation Commission, who will be limited to 12 years, or two six-year term.

The application of term limits is retroactive to only the governor, however. Other state officials will not have their past service counted against them. In other words, they can serve an additional eight years on top of the years they already have been in office. Under the Constitution, governors are prohibited from serving more than two terms in succession.

 

Although it has never been tested in court, most legal experts believe the Constitution's silence on the issue would allow Oklahoma's governors to serve two back-to-back terms and run again after a break in service of four years. Oklahoma is among 38 states, commonwealths and territories where chief executives cannot serve more than two terms in a row. Of that number, about half allow past governors to run again after a four-year break, but it is considered a rarity.

 

There are no term limits on the governor of nearby Texas and several northern states. In Texas, Rick Perry is seeking to become the first governor to be elected to three straight four-year terms. Oklahoma used to limit governors to one term, but the law was changed in the mid-1960s. Democrat Brad Henry is only the third Oklahoma governor to be elected to successive terms. The first was Democrat George Nigh and the second was Henry's predecessor, Republican Frank Keating. Republican Henry Bellmon served two terms, but they were separated by two decades.  Henry, Nigh and Keating said they never have given any thought to running for governor again.

 

Oklahoma was the first state in the nation to adopt legislative term limits in 1992. Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, introduced the resolution to curtail service of state officials. It was sponsored in the House by Rep. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie.  Brogdon is a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor next year. He says term limits allowed him to get into politics and he believes having more people serve in office is a good thing for state government.

 

Henry has been about the lone bright spot for Democrats in major statewide races in recent years as the GOP has captured all but one position in Congress and has become the majority party in both the state House and Senate. He was re-elected in 2006 with 66.5 percent of the vote.

 

"I haven't decided what I'm going to do after my term ends in a year and a half, much less what I might do in 2014 or beyond. So, no, I have never thought about running for a third time," Henry said. "With regard to term limits on all statewide office, I'm sure the case can be made that the state will lose some valuable, experienced leaders and voters will have fewer choices by imposing term limits, especially in the case of a good leader.

 

"But then again, there is something to be said for fresh faces and new ideas. The bottom line is Oklahoma voters will have the final say, and the state will live with whatever they decide. I'm sure Oklahoma will survive either way."  Keating said he probably would have run for the U.S Senate in 2010 if Tom Coburn had not decided to seek re-election.  He said he would not have considered running for governor again, although his eight years in the post "were the happiest, most creative and challenging years of my life."

 

"I just think a position of that magnitude should be limited," Keating said. "Term limits for statewide elected officials, particularly the governor, are healthy."  Keating, president of the American Council of Life Insurers, in Washington, D.C., plans to return to Oklahoma next year and says he will be active in public life.