Cole said in a statement Monday that he believes the most pressing issues for Oklahomans -- the economy, national defense and protecting their consitutional rights -- are federal in nature, "And I believe I am in the strongest position to effectively look after Oklahoma's interests by remaining in the House."
Democratic Gov. Brad Henry is term-limited in Jan. 2011 and Republicans are eager to take back this seat in a conservative-leaning state.
Republican Fallin confirmed her intention to run for governor in late February.
She was recently re-elected to a second term representing the 5th District but has a statewide profile; she was Oklahoma's lieutenant governor from 1995 to 2007.
On the Democratic side, the state's current lieutenant governor, Jari Askins, also is vying for the seat.
Additional political figures such as former Republican Rep. J.C. Watts and Republican state Sen. Randy Brogdon, continue to be floated as potential challengers while Democratic state attorney general Drew Edmondson has taken steps towards running.
Oklahoma generally remains Republican territory despite Henry's successes. John McCain carried Oklahoma with 66 percent of the vote to 34 percent for Barack Obama last fall. In Congress, Republicans hold both of the state's Senate seats and four of the five House seats.
The GOP also won control of the state Senate in the 2008 elections, giving the party complete control over the legislature.
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