Watts Breaks Term Limit Pledge

Rep. J.C. Watts Jr., the only black Republican member of Congress, has decided to run for a fourth term despite an earlier pledge to serve only three.

"Regardless of what I said in 1994, I will stand for re-election for the citizens of the Fourth District of Oklahoma and let them judge me on election day," he said Monday.

Watts, 42, said he believed his constituents liked what Congress has accomplished since the mid-1990s, including welfare reform and a balanced budget.

"But we think much more needs to be done," Watts said.

The former University of Oklahoma football star had a fast ride to the party's top echelon after his election among the Republicans' conservative class of 1994.

He spoke during the 1996 GOP presidential convention and gave the party's response to the State of the Union address in 1997. A year later, he was named chairman of the Republican Conference, the No. 4 position in the House.

Watts said keeping the balance of power in Washington was a factor in his decision. He said if Democrats gain control, chances of a tax cut and increase in military spending would "come to a screeching halt."

There are 222 Republicans in the House, 211 Democrats and two independents.

Watts said he weighed the pros and cons during the past two months but did not decide he would run again until Sunday morning.

He said he still believed in term limits, but added, "I don't believe Oklahoma should restrict itself and the 49 other states not restrict themselves."

If voters return him to Washington, he said would seek re-election as chairman of the House Republican Conference.

Democrats have accused Watts of breaking his pledge to not serve more than three terms in the House and produced a document showing his support of term limits.

"I honestly don't know if I did or didn't" sign such a pledge, Watts said Monday. He said he anticipates term limits to be a campaign issue in November, but he would defend his record and "await the election results in peace."

So far, no Democrats have announced plans to run for Watts' post.