The June 16 GOP primary will determine who advances in the race to succeed term-limited Commissioner Todd Hiett on Oklahoma’s powerful energy and utility regulatory body.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Republicans will choose between state Rep. Brad Boles and pipeline industry veteran Justin Hornback in the June 16 primary for an open seat on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.
The winner will advance to the Nov. 3 general election to face the Democratic nominee in a race that could shape decisions affecting utility rates, oil and gas regulation, pipeline safety and Oklahoma’s growing energy infrastructure needs.
The seat is currently held by Commissioner Todd Hiett, who is term-limited and cannot seek reelection. The three-member commission regulates Oklahoma’s oil and natural gas industries, oversees public utilities and handles a range of transportation and environmental regulatory matters.
Boles, R-Marlow, is serving his third term in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and currently chairs the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
His campaign has focused heavily on energy policy, economic development and protecting ratepayers from bearing the costs of Oklahoma’s growing electricity demand. Boles has highlighted legislation he authored related to large industrial power users and data centers, arguing that growth should not come at the expense of residential utility customers.
Boles also points to his private-sector experience as the owner of a manufacturing company and his previous service as mayor of Marlow.
Hornback, a Broken Arrow native, spent two decades in the oil and gas industry as a pipeline worker and welding inspector and has also worked in workplace health and safety.
His campaign has emphasized government transparency, accessibility and public engagement. Hornback has pledged to improve communication between the commission and the public and has argued that regulators should be more responsive to citizen concerns.
Hornback has also spoken about reducing the appearance of conflicts of interest in Corporation Commission elections, noting the unique relationship between commissioners and the industries they regulate, according to a recent profile by NonDoc.
The race comes as the Corporation Commission faces increasing scrutiny over utility rate increases and the challenge of meeting growing electricity demand driven by economic development projects, data centers and industrial expansion.
Early voting for the June 16 election begins Thursday, June 11, and continues Friday, June 12. Polls will be open statewide from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, June 16.
The Republican nominee will face the winner of the Democratic primary, where Donald Clytus, Rhonda Eastman and Harold Spradling are seeking their party’s nomination.
