CHICKASHA – With unofficial results still pending with the Oklahoma State Election Board as of press time, candidates for two Grady County offices find themselves neck-toneck.
Incumbent County Commissioner Kirk Painter pulled in 38.01% of the v otes for District 2, with challenger Ruth Bingham at 38.91%. A runoff is likely on Aug. 27, as neither ca ndidate collected a majority of votes. The Republican primary runoff will decide the winner, as no Democrats filed for the position.
Another close race pending certified results is the County Clerk Court position. Republican candidates Mica Selzer Hackney achieved 50.66% of the votes to Carolyn Brown’s 49.34%. No Democrats filed for the office.
In other county and state races, Grady County residents were decisive and knew who they wanted to represent them. The Republican primary decided these seats on June 18, as no Democrats in the county chose to run.
Gary Boggess will remain sheriff with 74.63% of the vote, after defeating challenger Jeff Franklin with 25.37%. Boggess, who served as undersheriff to former Grady County Sheriff Jim Weir, was appointed to the position l ast year when Weir retired on Jan. 31.
Jill Locke was easily reelected as county clerk, with a sound victory over challenger Neva Ford. Locke received 60.42% of the vote compared to Ford’s 39.58%.
In state races, Grady County voted in line with the majority of o ther Oklahomans. In the congressional seat for District 4, incumbent Republican Tom Cole received 63.77% of the county’s vote and Democrat Mary Brannon received 64.45%. The winner of the se at will be decided in the Nov. 5 general election.
County voters also selected political newcomer Kendal Sacchieri over incumbent Sen. Jessica Garvin for the Senate District 43 se at. Sacchieri received 53.40% to Garvin’s 46.60%.
For Corporation Commissioner, a majority of Grady County votes went to Brian Bingman, 58.75%. Challengers Justin Hornback received 26.53% and Russell Ray received 14.72%.