Polling places warm up for vote
Variety of elections could change the face of state's leadership.
Polling places warm up for vote

By John Greiner and Michael McNutt

Published: July 27, 2008

Democrats and Republicans go to the polls Tuesday across Oklahoma to pick their party nominees for election races ranging from U.S. Senate to county sheriff.

Primary elections with three or more candidates could result in a runoff primary Aug. 26.

To avoid a runoff, a candidate in a primary with three or more candidates must get a majority of votes cast. Otherwise, the top two candidates advance to the runoff election.

Michael Clingman, state Election Board secretary, said it is difficult to predict voter turnout for Tuesday because candidates in the top-of-the-ticket races — U.S. Senate — have not advertised that much in the media.

County races on ballots this year are for court clerk, county clerk, county sheriff and Oklahoma County District 2 commissioner.

Primary elections involve races in 32 House districts and seven Senate districts.

In the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, state Sen. Andrew Rice, D-Oklahoma City, and Jim Rogers of Midwest City are vying for their party's nomination. Rogers has previously run for the Senate as well as for lieutenant governor.

On the Republican side, Inhofe, R-Tulsa, has three challengers in the primary: Dennis Lopez of Thackerville, Evelyn L. Rogers of Tulsa and Ted Ryals of Moore.

An independent, Stephen P. Wallace of Tulsa, also has filed and will be on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Primaries will take place in the 1st, 2nd and 5th congressional districts.

Georgianna W. Oliver and Mark Manley, both Tulsa Democrats, are seeking their party's nomination in the 1st Congressional District while U.S. Rep. John Sullivan of Tulsa will face Tulsan Fran Mo-ghaddam for the GOP nomination.

U.S. Rep. Dan Boren, D-Muskogee, faces Kevin Coleman of Grove in the Democratic primary in the 2nd Congressional District. The winner will face Republican Raymond J. Wickson of Okmulgee in the general election.

In the 5th Congressional District, Bert Smith and Steven L. Perry, both of Oklahoma City, will battle for the Democratic nomination and a chance to face U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin, R-Oklahoma City, in the general election.

In the Republican primary for the unexpired two-year term on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. State Rep. Rob Johnson, R-Kingfisher, squares off against Dana Murphy of Edmond.

The winner of that race will face Corporation Commissioner Jim Roth, a Democrat, in the general election.

In state Senate races, Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre, D-Tulsa, is being challenged by Prophet Kelly Clark Sr. The winner will win the Senate District 11 seat because no Republicans or independents filed for the office.

A Democratic primary will be held in Senate District 21 that could be crucial to which party controls the Senate after the November elections.

Former Stillwater Judge Bob Murphy and Gregory Wilson, police and fire chief at Carney, are running for the Democratic nomination.

The winner will meet former Oklahoma State University President Jim Halligan, a Republican, in the general election to determine who succeeds Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, who cannot seek re-election because of legislative term limits.

The race could decide control of the Senate, which is evenly divided with 24 Democrats and Republicans.

In Senate District 37, Jan Megee of Sand Springs and Dan Newberry of Tulsa, are running for the Republican nomination and the chance to oppose Sen. Nancy Riley, D-Tulsa, in the general election. Republicans have been after Riley's seat since 2006, when she switched from Republican to Democrat.

In the House of Representatives, House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, is being opposed by Brian Jackson of Sand Springs for the House District 68 seat. Benge is expected to win the primary, which will ensure him another House term because no Democrat or independent has filed.

Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, is facing a tough battle in the House District 53 seat. Curtis Bruehl of Norman has matched Terrill in raising money, and recent questions about Terrill's 2005 bankruptcy case has given the incumbent some unpleasant publicity. The winner faces Troy Green of Oklahoma City or Charles Barnes of Moore, both Democrats, in November.

Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, is being outspent by more than two to one by his GOP challenger, Jon Echols of Oklahoma City. Echols has received support from businesses; Reynolds acknowledges he may have irritated some in the business community by his opposing most tax breaks and credits to companies.

The winner of that race will take the House District 91 seat because no Democrat or independent filed for the post.

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