Most people probably forget this, with the state being overrun by Republicans, but until 2010, the state Senate had always been controlled by the Democratic Party. It was mostly a holdover from a time when Democrats were the more conservative party, and some residual love for Franklin Roosevelt saving the nation during the Great Depression. Also, Gene Stipe had some involvement.
The man pictured above looking like a dementia patient was once the most powerful man in this state. As the power broker to the Democratic Party machine, Gene Stipe to this day makes the editorial staff at The Oklahoman poop their pants...much like Stipe probably does while watching Jeopardy re-runs on his sofa.