Sheriffs: Woodward County's lawman makes Aug. 26 runoff
Sheriffs: Woodward County's lawman makes Aug. 26 runoff

By Tony Thornton

Published: July 30, 2008

Criminal charges failed to keep incumbent Woodward County Sheriff Les Morton from progressing to a runoff election.

However, Grady County Sheriff Kieran McMullen wasn't so fortunate. McMullen, who like Morton faces a pending criminal case, finished a distant second Tuesday in the Republican primary to former reserve deputy Art Kell, who advanced to the November general election.

Morton finished second among three Democratic candidates, good enough to make the Aug. 26 runoff.

McMullen, who faces charges related to a 2006 gambling raid on the Chickasha Elks Lodge, found one positive in his election loss. "It's better than losing in a runoff, because I don't have any more money,” he said.

He noted that violent crime is down in Grady County, but added, "The voters wanted a change, and they're entitled to it.”McMullen faces one felony and one misdemeanor charge. The charges accuse him of allowing the lodge to operate electronic gambling machines. The sheriff isn't accused of gambling himself.

McMullen, the sheriff since 2003, was opposed by two fellow Republicans and four Democrats.

Morton, Woodward County sheriff since 1996, received 35 percent of the vote. He faces one of his deputies, Joe Adams, in the runoff.

Morton faces nine embezzlement counts. He is accused of using his county vehicle and fuel credit card for personal use. The attorney general's office last week dropped 20 other counts alleging Morton filed fraudulent travel claims.

Although his client advanced to a runoff, Morton's attorney, Mack Martin, said the indictment appeared to have a major influence on Tuesday's primary results.

Morton also faces an ouster action in connection with the criminal case. No date is set for the ouster proceeding.

Blaine County incumbent Ricky Ainsworth lost by a single vote — 451 to 450 — to challenger Tony Almaguer in the GOP primary.

Sequoyah County Sheriff Johnny Philpot lost his bid for a fourth four-year term. Philpot was beaten in a winner-take-all race by fellow Democrat Ron Lockhart, a police detective for Fort Smith, Ark.

One incumbent sheriff in his 70s was ousted, while another made the runoff. Bryan County Sheriff Bob Sturch, 71, received just 15 percent of the vote. Le Flore County Sheriff Bob Campbell, 73, finished second in a five-man Democratic primary.

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