Voters across Western Oklahoma cast ballots Tuesday in Oklahoma's Primary Election, selecting party nominees for several local, state and federal offices. While some candidates secured their party's nomination outright, others advanced to runoff elections after no candidate received the majority required under Oklahoma law.
Among the most closely watched local contests was the Republican primary for State Senate District 26. Rick Koch received the most votes with 3,785 (37.6%), followed by Jessica Winegeart with 3,378 (33.6%) and Brady Butler with 2,901 (28.8%). Because no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote, Koch and Winegeart advance to an August runoff election.
In State Senate District 38, Rick Vernon secured the Republican nomination with 4,157 votes (50.6%), narrowly surpassing the majority threshold needed to avoid a runoff. Joe B. Buchanan received 3,533 votes (43.0%), while Barry Dwaine Christian received 530 votes.
In Oklahoma's Third Congressional District Republican primary, incumbent Congressman Frank D. Lucas won renomination, defeating challenger Wade Burleson 55,616 votes (70.8%) to 22,967 votes (29.2%).
County Commissioner Races
Several county commissioner contests across Western Oklahoma were Republican primary races that determined the party's nominee for the November General Election. In races where no candidate received a majority, the top two vote-getters advance to a runoff election.
Beckham County District 1
Butch Goldesberry led the field with 298 votes (50.3%), securing the Republican nomination.
Lonnie Risenhoover received 226 votes (38.2%).
Drake McKennon received 68 votes (11.5%).
Beckham County District 3
Sammy Carnes received the most votes with 377 (45.2%), followed by James E. Greer with 233 (27.9%) and Colby Robinson with 225 (27.0%).
Because no candidate received a majority, Carnes and Greer advance to a runoff election.
Custer County District 1
Wade Anders secured the Republican nomination with 553 votes (74.9%), defeating Jeremiah Trent, who received 185 votes.
Roger Mills County District 1
Rusty Conard Miller won the Republican nomination with 190 votes (65.3%) over Mike Bagzis, who received 101 votes (34.7%).
Washita County District 1
Bart Gossen led the race with 312 votes (46.8%), followed by Chris Shields with 233 votes (34.9%) and Matthew Misak with 122 votes (18.3%).
Since no candidate received more than 50 percent, Gossen and Shields advance to a runoff election.
Washita County District 3
Greg Chandler secured the Republican nomination with 379 votes (76.7%), defeating Floyd King, who received 115 votes.
Greer County District 1
Republican Kenneth Slaton won his party's nomination with 143 votes (69.1%).
Democrat Bert Dyer secured the Democratic nomination with 61 votes (73.5%).
The nominees will face each other in the November General Election.
Greer County District 3
Dennis Halford won the Republican nomination, defeating Rodney Rogers Jr. 112 votes (66.7%) to 56 votes (33.3%).
Mangum City Commissioner
In the nonpartisan race for Mangum City Commissioner No. 3 (Unexpired Term), Renee Clark received 247 votes (56.7%), enough to win the seat outright. Travis Mayabb received 113 votes (25.9%), while Rodd Duff received 76 votes (17.4%).
Governor's Race Headed to Runoff
Statewide, Oklahoma Republicans did not select a gubernatorial nominee Tuesday, forcing the race into an August runoff.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond and businessman Mark Mazzei finished as the top two Republican candidates and advanced to the August 25 runoff election after neither candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote.
On the Democratic side, Cyndi Munson secured her party's nomination and advances to the November General Election.
Shannon Wins Lieutenant Governor Nomination
Former Oklahoma Speaker of the House T.W. Shannon won the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor outright in a crowded six-candidate field, avoiding a runoff.
Democrat Kelly Forbes was unopposed and advances to the November General Election, where she will face Shannon.
State Question 832 Rejected
Oklahoma voters rejected State Question 832, which would have gradually increased the state's minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $15 per hour by 2029 and allowed future increases tied to inflation.
Unofficial statewide results showed approximately 68.5 percent voting "No" and 31.5 percent voting "Yes."
The defeat means Oklahoma's minimum wage will remain at $7.25 per hour.
What's Next
Primary runoff elections will be held August 25 for races in which no candidate received a majority of the vote.
The statewide General Election is scheduled for November 3, when Oklahoma voters will choose their next governor, lieutenant governor and other state and local officeholders.
