Parties expect gains in representation
State House: 58 seats will be decided in Nov. 4 election
Parties expect gains in representation

By Michael McNutt

Published: July 31, 2008

Six House members have joined their 34 unopposed colleagues who will return next year to the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

The four Republicans and two Democrats withstood challenges Tuesday from within their political parties to win re-election.

The fates of three other House seats also were determined Tuesday.

Democrat Steve Kouplen of Beggs won 57 percent of the vote to beat Kathi Mask of Holdenville for the House District 24 seat held by Rep. Dale Turner, D-Holdenville, who could not seek re-election because of 12-year legislative term limits. Kouplen won the seat because no Republican or independent had filed.

Republicans Tuesday reclaimed the House District 75 seat held by Rep. Dennis Adkins, R-Tulsa, and the House District 80 seat held by Rep. Ron Peterson, R-Broken Arrow. Neither sought re-election.

Dan Kirby of Tulsa won the House District 75 seat in a three-way GOP race. Mike Ritze of Broken Arrow won the House District 80 Republican contest.

The results put the tally in the House at 24 Democrats and 19 Republicans. During the past legislative session, House Republicans were in the majority 57-44.

The remaining 58 seats will be decided in the Nov. 4 general election. House leaders from both parties said they expect to make gains in the fall.

"I still like our chances to possibly increase our majority,” said House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa. "The opportunity's there. We have very good candidates.”

House Democratic leader Danny Morgan of Prague said he likes his party's lineup for the fall election.

Democrats likely will keep the District 72 seat held by Rep. Darrell Gilbert, D-Tulsa, who couldn't seek re-election because of term limits. Seneca Scott and Christie Breedlove, both of Tulsa, were the top vote-getters in Tuesday's primary and will square off in the Aug. 26 primary runoff. The winner faces an independent candidate.

Both parties are looking at the District 57 seat being vacated by Rep. James Covey, D-Custer City, because of term limits. A runoff will be necessary to determine the Republican nominee for the seat. None of the candidates in Tuesday's race received a majority of the votes.

Harold Wright of Weatherford, who received 43 percent of the vote, goes to a runoff against Lyle Miller of Clinton, who received 26 percent. The winner faces Perry Adams of Custer City, who received 51 percent of the vote in Tuesday's primary.

Democrats are optimistic about their chances of winning the seat held by Rep. Terry Ingmire, R-Stillwater, who is leaving because of term limits.

Democrats also feel comfortable they will hold onto the seats held by Reps. Ray McCarter, D-Marlow; David Braddock, D-Altus; and Al Lindley, D-Oklahoma City, who are term-limited.

Republicans seem confident of holding onto the House District 59 seat held by Rep. Rob Johnson, R-Kingfisher, who did not seek re-election. A runoff will be necessary to determine the GOP nominee to succeed Johnson. Mike Sanders of Kingfisher won 49.6 percent of the vote, while Chris Cameron of Kingfisher captured 35 percent.

Both sides feel they have a chance of winning the House District 48 seat being vacated by House floor leader Greg Piatt, R-Ardmore; the House District 47 seat held by Rep. Susan Winchester, R-Chickasha, who is not seeking another term; and the House District 87 seat held by Rep. Trebor Worthen, R-Oklahoma City, who is not seeking re-election.

Democrats are optimistic of their chance to win the House District 96 seat held by former House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, who did not seek re-election.

Dianne Hunter of Edmond, whose husband was the Democratic nominee in 2006 for the 5th Congressional District seat, won 78 percent of the vote in Tuesday's Democratic primary and will take on Lewis Moore of Arcadia, who won 58 percent of the GOP vote.

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