Krehbiel Blog: OK Democrats Not Ruling Out Requesting OK-02 Special Election Following Candidates Death
Randy Krehbiel: Oklahoma Republicans resist 2nd District special election after candidate’s death
By RANDY KREHBIEL World Staff Writer
Oklahoma Republicans are pushing back against the suggestion that the death of Democratic candidate Earl Everett may invalidate today’s vote for U.S. Representative in the Second Congressional District.
Everett, an 81-year-old Korean War veteran and retired educator, died over the weekend from injuries suffered in a Friday traffic accident. He had not campaigned much and had no contact with the state Democratic Party. Republican incumbent Markwayne Mullin is expected to roll up a huge margin over Everett and independent Jon Douthitt in today’s election.
A state law that will change on Jan. 1, however, gives parties the right to replace dead candidates on the ballot, and directs the governor to call a special election of the death occurs more than five days after the runoff election date, which this year was Aug. 11.
On Monday, Oklahoma Democratic Party Executive Director Trav Robertson said no action will be taken until an appropriate mourning period has passed. But he also didn’t rule out the possibility that state Democrats will seek a special election with a candidate chosen by the party’s central committee.