OK Officials Expect Low Turnout For Tuesday's Runoff Election

A total of 13 state legislative primaries across Oklahoma require runoffs, including five here in the metro.

There are six runoff elections for House seats: Four Republican and two Democratic. In the Senate there are seven runoffs; all republicans who are seeking open seats. 

Here in the metro, House District 60, which covers Western Canadian County and Northern Caddo County, pits republican middle school teacher Rhonda Baker against Oklahoma Public School Teacher Chad Slane. 

The two were part of the so called teacher or education caucus. About 40-educators ran for state office because of complaints with school funding, but many lost in the primaries.

"The education candidates are not a monolith. They're from both parties. We don't know what they stand for. So the education caucus is largely a media creation," said political analyst Scott Mitchell.

House District 85, which includes Northwest Oklahoma City and the Lake Hefner area, pits former Republican Party chair Matt Jackson against Legislative Assistant Robyn Matthews.

In Northeast Oklahoma City; House District 97, defense attorney Jason Lowe is running against funeral home owner Chris Harrison for the democratic nomination.

On the senate side, Senate District 23, Western Canadian County and Grady County, business owner Lonnie Paxton faces off against attorney and National Guardsman Matt Stacy for the republican nod.

And in probably the most controversial race, Former Air Force Captain Adam Pugh of Edmond is in a race against preacher and former pro football player Paul Blair for the Republican bid for Senate District Seat 41.

Outside the metro, on the senate side in District 13 it’s Greg McCortney against Jet McCoy; in District 19 Ross Vanhooser versus Roland Pederson; District 25 Joe Newhouse versus Lisa Kramer; District 31 Chris Kidd against Toni Hasenbeck; and District 39 Dave Rader takes on Amanda Teegarden.

On the house side in District 8 Steven Dill against Tom Gann; District 16 democrat Ronnie Kell against Anna Dearmore; in District 67 Tom McCloud versus Scott McEachin. 

Elections officials doubt turnout will be very high. Analysts say…the anger voters felt after the last legislative session has simply faded. 

"Here we are two months removed from the legislative session plus. Almost three months. And the anger's just not there,” Mitchell said. “Irritation yes, but anger no."