Brecheen Wins Tough Re-Election, Democrats Dwindle To 8 Seats In OK Senate
Oklahoma elections: Oklahoma Republicans gain three more seats in state Senate
by Graham Lee Brewer
The Republican Party will enter the new legislative session with an even stronger grip on the state Senate. Republicans picked up an additional three seats in Tuesday’s election.
In Senate District 5, State Rep. Curtis McDaniel, D-Smithville, lost his bid to take over the seat left open by Sen. Jerry Ellis, D-Valiant. That race was won by Republican newcomer Joe Silk, who took 54.3 percent of the vote to McDaniel’s 45.7 percent.
In Senate District 8, Democrats lost the seat left open by Sen. Roger Ballenger, D-Okmulgee. That spot was claimed by Republican candidate Roger Thompson, who defeated Selina Jayne-Dornan by a 55.9 percent to 44.1 percent tally.
The Senate District 26 seat left open by Sen. Tom Ivester, D-Elk City, who ran for district attorney, was taken by Republican candidate Darcy Jech. Jech bested Democrat Kevin Black by garnering 56.9 percent of the vote.