OKLAHOMA CITY – Three Southwestern Oklahoma lawmakers won’t face an election this fall because they didn’t draw an opponent, records with the state election board show.
State Senator Chris Kidd, a Republican from Ringling, along with state Representative Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan and Lawton Republican Representative Trey Caldwell each ran unopposed.
The trio were among the 46 state lawmakers who were, for all practical purposes, re-elected this spring. One hundred twenty-five legislative seats are up for election. The Oklahoma Constitution requires the full House of Representatives stand for election every two years while, at the same time, half the seats of the Oklahoma Senate.
This year, eight state senators and 38 representatives won’t face opponents. How- ever, five other area lawmakers weren’t so lucky.
In Senate District 43, incumbent Republican Paul Scott of Duncan has two primary opponents – Kathy Keith of Purcell and Jessica Garvin of Duncan. The winner of the GOP primary election will face Democrat Terri Reimer of Marlow in the fall.
Marlow Representative Brad Boles, the incumbent Republican in House District 51, drew a primary election opponent – Gregory Dunson of Marlow. The winner of the primary election will take the seat since there were no filings for the general election.
In House District 62, incumbent Representative Daniel Pae, a Republican from Lawton, will face fellow Republican Robert Johns of Lawton in a June primary. The GOP winner will go up against Lawton Democrat Larry Bush in the November general election.
Republican incumbent Rande Worthen, Lawton, will compete with Democrat Kayle Emmet Meraz for the House District 64 seat in November. Former school teacher turned lawmaker, Republican incumbent Toni Hasenbeck of Elgin, will face Democrat Jennifer Kerstetter of Marlow for the House District 65 seat in November.
On the federal level, former television reporter Abby Broyles, a Democrat, filed against incumbent U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe, a Republican. That race also drew three other Democratic candidates, Shelia Bilyeu, Elysabeth Britt and Joe Cassity Jr.
Republican hopefuls include Neil Mavis, John Tompkins and J.J Stitt. Two other candidates, Libertarian Robert Murphy and Independents Joan Farr and A.D. Nesbitt are also seeking Inhofe’s seat.
In Congress, incumbent Republican Frank Lucas will face Democrat Zoe Midyett this fall in the contest for the Third Congressional District. In CD 4, longtime Congressman Tom Cole, a Republican, drew several opponents, including Republican challengers James Taylor, Trevor Sipes and Gilbert Sanders.
Three Democrats, Mary Brannon, John Argo and David Slemmons along with Libertarian candidate Bob White have also filed the seat.
Several former lawmakers including Democrat Steve Kouplen, Republican and former Representatives George Faught, Rick West and Mike Christian are all seeking to regain their office.
Additionally, Former state Rep. Shane Jett is seeking the Senate District 17 seat against incumbent Ron Sharp. Sharp also drew two other primary opponents and a Libertarian challenger.
Oklahomans will return to the polls on June 30 for the primary election. A runoff election – if needed – is set for Aug. 25.
The state’s general election is scheduled for Nov. 3.