James Lankford Wins U.S. House 5th District GOP Nomination

Staff and Wire Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Political newcomer James Lankford, 42, defeated former four-term state Rep. Kevin Calvey, 44, Tuesday night in a runoff election for the GOP nod in the U.S. House 5th District, a seat current Republican U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin is leaving to run for governor.

Lankford received 65 percent of the vote with 100 precincts reporting. Calvey received 35 percent.

Lankford will now face off against Democratic nominee Billy Coyle and Independent candidates Clark Duffe and Dave White in the November 2 general election.

During an address to his watch party Tuesday night, Lankford said he wanted to challenge the "status quo in Washington" and career politicians.

"They are not the only ones who are passionate about our country," Lankford said after his victory. "There are a lot of us who are passionate about the issues and ideas, and want to work."

Republicans have held the central Oklahoma seat for 36 years.

Lankford served as the director for Falls Creek youth camp from 1996-2009.

In the U.S. House 2nd District, Charles Thompson defeated Daniel Edmonds for the GOP nomination.

Thompson had also led in balloting July 27, but did not have enough votes to avoid a runoff in the six-way primary.

Thompson stressed his 25 years in the military and the experience he earned starting his veterinary business from scratch, saying those accomplishments made him the more-seasoned candidate.

Thompson will face current Democratic U.S. Rep. Dan Boren in the November 2 general election. Boren is seeking a fourth term in the 2nd District, which stretches from far northeast Oklahoma to the Red River border with Texas.

See the all the results from Tuesday's elections

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