Democrat Kendra Horn was hoping to have a clear shot at U.S. Rep. Steve Russell (R-OKC) in November, but her five primary opponents combined to keep her below 50 percent of the 5th Congressional District primary vote.
That means Horn will face will face Tom Guild, a candidate caught on camera Monday for dismantling Horn’s yard signs in broad daylight. No independent or Libertarian filed for the 5th Congressional District race, meaning Horn and Guild will face off to see who will be challenging Russell in November.
“Nov. 6 we make history,” Horn said during a speech at her watch party. “I become the first Democratic woman to hold a congressional seat in Oklahoma.”
Guild, Elysabeth Britt, Tyson Meade, Ed Porter and Leona Kelley-Leonard were also on the CD 5 ballot for Democrats.
Russell, meanwhile, won handily against two candidates who did not operate functional campaigns. Before assuming congressional office in January 2015, Russell represented Oklahoma State Senate District 45.
But CD 5 on the Democratic side is far from the only high-profile race heading to an Aug. 28 runoff election. (Full election results are available here.)
CD 1: Tim Harris to face … ?
Former U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine left his office in April of 2015 to become the administrator of NASA. He had previously held the office since 2012.
In his absence, five Democrats and five Republicans competed for their parties’ nominations in Tuesday’s primary election. Republicans have held the seat since 1987. More than $2 million has been funneled into the 1st Congressional District race, with Kevin Hern raising a million more than his next-closest opponent.
At the time of this publication, former District Attorney Tim Harris was leading Republican challengers with 27 percent of the vote. Hern, Andy Coleman and state Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) have all been hovering between 20 and 23 percent of the vote in a battle to make the runoff. Hern has been in second place, but this post will be updated after all votes are tallied.
On the Democratic side, Tim Gilpin and Amanda Douglas will face off in the Aug. 28 runoff.
CD 2: Mullin advances, Dems to runoff
As of June 6, U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin had raised more than $1.1 million in an effort to keep his Congressional seat. He won the seat in 2012 after then-U.S. Rep. Dan Boren decided not to run for re-election.
Four Democrats, four Republicans, one Libertarian and one independent challenged Mullin. At the time of this post, Mullin had more than 50 percent of the vote, advancing him to the general election.
The Democratic side, however, is headed to a runoff. Jason Nichols will face Clay Padgett on Aug. 28.
CD 3: Lucas to face Robbins once again
Incumbent Rep. Frank Lucas has been a U.S. congressman since 1994. He began his career serving Oklahoma’s 6th Congressional District but started representing the 3rd Congressional District after a redistricting.
Lucas did not have a primary opponent, as only two Democrats challenged him: Murray Thibodeaux and Frankie Robbins, a routine opponent of Lucas.
Robbins prevailed.
As of June 6, Lucas is the only candidate with campaign filings. They total more than $700,000.
CD 4: Democrats head to runoff
Rep. Tom Cole had six challengers for Oklahoma’s 4th congressional seat. The seat has been Republican-controlled since 1995, and Cole has held it since 2003.
Cole has raised more than $1.2 million as of June 6. His next-closest opponent, Fred Allen Gipson, has raised just over $25,000.
Cole had more than 60 percent of the Republican primary vote at the time of this post. The Democratic race, however, will head to an Aug. 28 runoff between Mary Brannon and Fred Gipson, who recently sent out a mailer slamming Cole for “his monetary obligations to pacts (sic).”
