Both Republicans advance to November in races to succeed term-limited statewide officials.
OKLAHOMA CITY — State Rep. Kevin West and insurance professional Bob Sullivan won Republican nominations for labor commissioner and insurance commissioner Tuesday, each prevailing by a clear margin.
With all precincts reporting, West defeated fellow state Rep. John Pfeiffer with 58.3% of the vote. Sullivan defeated former state Sen. Marty Quinn with 55.1%, according to unofficial State Election Board returns.
Both races were for open seats. Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn and Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready cannot seek another term because of term limits.
West advances in labor commissioner race
West, a Moore Republican, has represented House District 54 since 2016. Before entering the Legislature, he spent decades working in commercial cabinetmaking, including eight years operating his own business.
His campaign focused on rebuilding the skilled-trades workforce, reviewing outdated Labor Department rules and taking an approach to workplace safety that emphasizes training and compliance before penalties.
West and Pfeiffer shared many of the same broad priorities, including workforce development, workplace safety and reducing unnecessary regulation. Their differences centered largely on management style and where the department should place its emphasis.
West also received an unusual late endorsement from the Oklahoma Republican Party State Committee, which broke with the party’s longstanding practice of remaining neutral in contested Republican primaries.
He will face Democrat Kevin Dawson and Libertarian Mike Hall in the Nov. 3 general election.
Sullivan wins insurance nomination
Sullivan, of Inola, is a first-time candidate with more than 20 years of experience in property and casualty insurance. He defeated Quinn, who spent 12 years in the Legislature and more than four decades in the insurance business.
The campaign unfolded as Oklahoma homeowners faced some of the nation’s highest insurance premiums. Both candidates promised to recruit more carriers and increase competition, but they differed over how aggressively the Insurance Department should challenge insurers.
Sullivan argued for closer scrutiny of rates and greater accountability for insurers. Quinn emphasized working with carriers, improving the claims process and pursuing legal changes intended to reduce insurance costs.
Quinn also spent part of the campaign answering questions about his residency and eligibility after returning to Oklahoma from Arkansas shortly before the filing period. No challenge was filed during the state’s window for contesting a candidate’s qualifications, and Quinn maintained that he was eligible to run.
Sullivan will face Democrat Craig MacIntyre in November. The winner will take office as the Insurance Department prepares to use expanded authority to review proposed rate increases under a law taking effect in 2027.
The runoff results remain unofficial. Statewide results are scheduled for certification Sept. 1.
