Coalgate ticket loses Republican

COALGATE — A candidate in the Coal County sheriff's race won't be on the ballot because the county election board unanimously voted that his change in party affiliation violated state law.

Jason Lenamond, a Republican from Centrahoma, was accused of being an ineligible candidate because he switched his party affiliation less than six months before filing for office, which disqualifies him under Oklahoma statutes. The voting election board consisted of three members.

About two months ago, Lenamond, who originally was a Republican, switched his registration to the Democratic Party. Three days later, he switched back from Democratic to Republican, according to Greg Davidson, chairman of the Coal County Democratic Party.

He filed last week as a Republican candidate for sheriff.

Incumbent Sheriff Roy Deck, a Democrat from Cottonwood, filed the petition against Lenamond.

Deck, first elected sheriff in April 2000, was investigated in 2005 after he was accused of sexually harassing a female dispatcher. After putting himself on leave for nearly a month, he resumed his position after the dispatcher said she would not sue the county.

Deck, 55, will face two other Democratic opponents: Bryan Jump, 37; and Bill Langdon, 64, in the July 29 primary.