Four Republican nominees emerged Tuesday night and three runoff pairings were set as voters filled out much of the GOP’s statewide and federal ticket for November.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Republicans settled several statewide and federal contests Tuesday night, choosing nominees for lieutenant governor, attorney general, U.S. Senate and corporation commissioner while setting August runoffs in races for labor commissioner, insurance commissioner and state superintendent.
The down-ballot contests were overshadowed by the crowded governor’s race, an upset in the state treasurer’s contest and the Republican battle for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District, but they helped shape much of the GOP ticket heading into the November general election. Unofficial results showed all precincts reporting statewide.
Shannon avoids runoff
Former Senate President Pro Tempore T.W. Shannon won the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor outright, defeating five opponents with 53.8% of the vote. Darrell Weaver finished a distant second with 13%, followed by former state Rep. Justin “JJ” Humphrey at 12.6%.
Because Shannon secured a majority, he avoided an August runoff and advanced directly to the November general election.
Echols captures attorney general race
Former House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols defeated attorney Jeff Starling 55% to 45% to secure the Republican nomination for attorney general.
The race attracted significant attention because the office will be open following Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s decision to run for governor.
Hern cruises to U.S. Senate nomination
U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate with 69.8% of the vote in a five-candidate field. Gary Ty England finished second with 13.5%, followed by Sean Buckner at 6.9%, Brian Ragain at 5.9% and Nick Hankins at 3.9%.
Hern’s decisive victory sends the Tulsa Republican to the November general election and avoids what could have become an expensive and divisive runoff campaign.
Republicans also comfortably renominated their congressional incumbents. U.S. Rep. Josh Brecheen won renomination in the 2nd District with 79.2% of the vote, while U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas captured 70.8% in the 3rd District and U.S. Rep. Tom Cole secured another nomination in the 4th District with 71.1%. All three advanced easily to the November general election.
Boles wins Corporation Commission nomination
State Rep. Brad Boles defeated Justin Hornback 55.3% to 44.7% to claim the Republican nomination for Corporation Commission.
Boles’ victory comes as debates over utility regulation, electric reliability and the state’s growing energy demands increasingly move to the forefront of Oklahoma politics.
Labor race headed to runoff
No candidate secured a majority in the four-way race for labor commissioner.
State Rep. Kevin West led the field with 41.8% of the vote, while state Rep. John Pfeiffer finished second with 35.3%. Lisa Janloo and Keith Swinton were eliminated. West and Pfeiffer will meet in the Aug. 25 runoff.
Insurance commissioner race remains unsettled
The Republican race for insurance commissioner also advanced to a runoff after no candidate reached the 50% threshold.
Bob Sullivan finished first with 37.4% of the vote, followed by former state Sen. Marty Quinn at 27.7%. Chris Merideth and Greta Shuler were eliminated. Sullivan and Quinn will face one another in August.
Superintendent contest narrows to two
The crowded seven-candidate race for state superintendent also produced a runoff.
Robert Franklin led the field with 22.6% of the vote, followed by James Taylor at 19.7%. John Cox and Toni Hasenbeck finished close behind, while Senate Education Committee Chairman Adam Pugh placed fifth. Franklin and Taylor advance to the Aug. 25 runoff.
Tuesday’s results leave Republicans with four nominees chosen outright in statewide and federal contests, three congressional incumbents easily renominated and three major runoffs still to be decided before the party’s November ticket is finalized.
