T.W. Shannon, Republican of Oklahoma. Courtesy photo

T.W. Shannon, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, has won a key endorsement in his campaign for the open U.S. Senate seat in Oklahoma.

The Senate Conservatives Fund is backing Shannon in the GOP primary race between Rep. James Lankford (R-Oklahoma) and former state Sen. Randy Brogdon (R). The group will be raising money for the Chickasaw candidate.

"We're supporting T.W. Shannon because he's a principled conservative, he has strong grassroots support in Oklahoma, and he can win if Americans come together to support his campaign," the group's executive director said in a press release.

If elected, Shannon would be the third enrolled tribal member in Congress. He'd also be the second Chickasaw -- the other is Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma).

"We need all the help we can get in Congress," Chickasaw Nation Lt. Gov. Jefferson Keel said earlier this month at the winter session of the National Congress of American Indians in Washington, D.C. Shannon met with tribes and held a fundraiser at the hotel where NCAI took place.

The Senate seat is open due to the retirement and early departure of Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma), a former member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

Get the Story:
SCF backs Shannon in Okla. Senate race (Politico 3/27)
Senate Conservatives Fund endorses Shannon in Oklahoma Senate race (The Washington Post 3/27)
Senate Conservatives Fund Endorses in Oklahoma Senate Race (Roll Call 3/27)
Senate Conservatives Fund backs Shannon for OK Senate (The Hill 3/27)

Related Stories:
T.W. Shannon, Chickasaw Nation citizen, running for Senate (2/5)
Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby won't run for Senate (1/21)
Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma to resign and leave early (1/17)
Chickasaw man on track to serve as Oklahoma House speaker (10/17)