Last Updated on August 24, 2022, 7:20 AM | Published: August 24, 2022
OKLAHOMA CITY (Free Press) — Oklahoma County voters made their choice in primary runoff elections Tuesday night for the Republican and Democratic candidates that will advance to the November general election.
The evening saw some runaway wins and at least one very close one in Oklahoma County.
The winner of each race will go up against the other party’s nominee in November, except for two House seats that have already secured a win in the general election since no candidate from the other party filed to run.
And, the City of Bethany voters turned in a strong vote for general obligation bonds.
Republican Party Runoff
District Attorney
Kevin Calvey easily defeated long-time prosecutor Gayland Gieger, 60.7 percent to 39.2 percent, in the hotly contested Oklahoma County district attorney race. Calvey, an Oklahoma County Commissioner, is seeking to replace current DA David Prater, who decided not to run for reelection.
In the June Republican primary race, a manual recount revealed that Calvey remained just a few votes short of winning the nomination outright. Calvey will face Democrat Vicki Behenna in November. Behenna was a career prosecutor with the Western District of the U.S. Attorney’s office in Oklahoma before retirement.
US Senate (Unexpired term)
In a landslide victory, Rep. Markwayne Mullin won the statewide GOP primary runoff against former speaker of the Oklahoma House T.W. Shannon to fill James Inhofe’s U.S. Senate seat after announcing his resignation.
According to the unofficial election results by the Oklahoma State Election Board, Mullin, who secured an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, finished the race with 65 percent of the GOP vote and Shannon conceded with 35 percent. Mullin will face Democrat Kendra Horn, former congresswomen for Oklahoma’s 5th district, in the November general election.
State Senate District 28
Political newcomer Grant Green won, 53.8 percent to 46.2 percent, in the runoff against Jeff McCommas to represent District 28. Senate District 28 includes the northeastern corner of Oklahoma county, parts of Pottawatomie and Logan counties and encompasses all of Lincoln and Seminole counties.
House District 31
Combat veteran Collin Duel won against Karmin Grider by nearly 5 points, 52.4 percent to 47.5 percent. Duel will represent House District 31, which runs along the northern border of Oklahoma County. This includes the cities of Edmond, Guthrie, Cimarron City, Cashion, and Cedar Valley.
The race is complete since no candidate from the other party filed to run.
House District 36
John George, long-time Fraternal Order of Police president, will officially be the first representative of the newly-drawn House District 36 after his victory in the runoff against local businesswomen Anita Raglin. The race will not advance to the general election since no candidate from the other party filed to run.
In an interview with the Free Press following the win, George said he’s been door-knocking to get to know the new constituents in the district since last August.
“I just want to thank them [the constituents] for their support,” George said. “I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and go to work for them.”
House District 87
Gloria Banister, political newcomer and local businesswoman, won the GOP nominee for House District 87 against Scott Esk, with 57.9 percent of the vote. The district is located in northwest Oklahoma City and Warr Acres. Banister will go up against the Democratic nominee Ellyn Hefner in November.
“We’ve listened and we’ve talked to the fellow residents of district 87,” Banister said in an interview with the Free Press. “Much has been accomplished, yet, I know more remains.”
Democratic Party Runoff
Oklahoma County Commissioner, District 1
In the tightest race of the night, Incumbent Carrie Blumert defeated Anastasia Pittman in the Democratic runoff for District 1 Oklahoma County Commissioner by 120 votes, according to the unofficial election results.
Blumert will challenge Republican Willard Linzy in the general election.
US Senate
Madison Horn claims victory in the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican James Lankford, who is running to secure his seat.
According to the unofficial statewide election results, Horn received 65.5 percent of the vote, while her opponent Jason Bollinger conceded with 34.5 percent. Horn will go up against Lankford, who won the GOP primary outright with 67.8 percent of the vote in the June primary.
Other races statewide
- State Treasurer: Todd Russ defeated Clark Jolly, 55.5 percent to 44.4 percent. Russ will face Democrat Charles De Coune and Libertarian Greg Sadler.
- Superintendent of Public Education: Ryan Walters beat April Grace with 53.4 percent of the vote. In what is already shaping up to be a very active contest, Walters will compete against Democrat Jena Nelson in November.
- Commissioner of Labor: Leslie Kathryn Osborn defeated Sean Roberts, 53 percent to 46.9 percent. Osborn will face Democrat Jack Henderson and Libertarian Will Daughtery in November.
- Corporate Commissioner: Kim David defeated Todd Thomsen, 59.1 percent to 40.8 percent. David will go up against Democrat Warigia Margaret Bowman and Independent Don Underwood.
- County Commissioner, District 3: In the Republican runoff, Myles Davidson beat Amy Alexander, 60 percent to 39.9 percent. Davidson will face Democrat Cathy Cummings in November.
City of Bethany Propositions
The voters in the city of Bethany approved all four propositions that would make improvements to the city’s streets, parks, public safety, and drainage through general obligation or “G-O” bonds. The total bond package would cost $15 million and would increase property tax on a $100,000 home by about $3.83 per month over 20 years.
Election results are still subject to changes and are not considered final until they’re certified by the appropriate election board. State and federal election results will be certified no later than Friday, August 26, according to the State Election Board.
Brianna Garcia is a freelance journalist covering local politics and culture for Free Press. She has a degree in Journalism from the University of Central Oklahoma.
