Russell, Douglas, Guild, McAffrey Advance To Fifth District Runoff
Oklahoma elections: Steve Russell and Patrice Douglas head to Republican runoff in 5th Congressional District race
by Chris Casteel
WASHINGTON — Army veteran Steve Russell and Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Patrice Douglas headed for a runoff after finishing atop a crowded field in Tuesday’s Republican primary to replace U.S. Rep. James Lankford in the 5th District.
With all precincts reporting, Russell, of Oklahoma City, had 26.6 percent, and Douglas, of Edmond, had 24.5 percent. They will go head-to-head in the Aug. 26 runoff. State Sen. Clark Jolley, of Edmond, was third in the six-person field with 17 percent.
The 5th District includes most of Oklahoma County and Pottawatomie and Seminole counties. Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, left the seat open when he ran for the U.S. Senate this year; it was the third time since 2006 that the seat was open and crowded with Republican hopefuls.
The Democratic contest for Lankford’s seat will need a runoff. With all precincts counted, retired professor Tom Guild, of Edmond, had 42.1 percent and state Sen. Al McAffrey, of Oklahoma City, had 30.9 percent.