By a major margin, Oklahoma voters rejected State Question 832, which would have gradually raised the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 an hour, ending a years-long effort to align the state’s payment floor with neighboring states that have approved increases in recent years.
With more than 99 percent of precincts reporting, more than 55 percent of voters opposed SQ 832 — the only item on Oklahoma ballots Tuesday for which independent or Libertarian voters could cast ballots. All election results are unofficial until certified by the Oklahoma State Election Board.
State Chamber President and CEO Chad Warmington called SQ 832’s defeat a win for Oklahomans concerned about jobs and prices.
“The State Chamber applauds Oklahoma voters for rejecting SQ 832,” Warmington said in a statement. “Tonight, voters chose to protect Oklahoma’s economic momentum and one of our greatest competitive advantages: affordability. The reality is wages in Oklahoma are already being driven up by a strong labor market not government mandates. Oklahoma businesses are competing for talent, investing in their people, and helping move our state forward. Oklahomans sent a clear message: We can grow our economy, create opportunities, and keep life affordable without one-size-fits-all mandates that make it harder for businesses to hire and grow.”
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It was widely expected that there would be a runoff for the GOP Nominee for Oklahoma Governor- and the top two vote getters are separated by about a thousand votes with 93% of the vote counted. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has received the most votes on the night- with 96,995 (26.05% of the vote) while former State Senator Mike Mazzei has 95,827 votes(25.74% of the vote). Mazzei jumped into the spotlight with the endorsement he received from President Donald Trump. The son of former Governor Frank Keating, Chip, has pulled the third most votes in the primary- just over 18% of the count.
Former House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson easily won the Democratic nomination and will face the GOP winner in November.
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It may count as something of a surprise- but State Auditor Cindy Byrd has knocked off an incumbent. Amid a barrage of questions and negative headlines about his handling of a new state investment fund, State Treasurer Todd Russ lost his reelection bid Tuesday to State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd, who made a last-minute decision this spring to challenge the incumbent treasurer.
“I don’t have a habit of letting anybody down. I won’t let you down as your state treasurer,” Byrd said at her Election Night party at Rococo on Western in Oklahoma City. “There are great things to do for this state. I tell people this all the time: Oklahoma is still small enough to get it right, and we have the promise of a bright future.”
Byrd will be on the General Election ballot against Libertarian Kiefer Perry in November. No Democrat filed for the office.
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Other GOP winners that will advance to the November General Election include Lt Governor candidate TW Shannon, who captured 53% of the vote over five other contenders- Shannon will face Democrat Kelly Forbes in November.
Former state lawmaker Jon Echols has won the GOP Attorney General race with 55% of the vote- he next faces Democrat Nick Coffey in November.
In the GOP contest for Corporation Commission, Brad Boles grabbed 55% of the vote to defeat Justin Hornback. Boles now faces Rhonda Eastman, who has won the Democratic primary race- they will battle in the General Election in November.
In the August GOP Runoffs, voters will decide the GOP nominee for Superintendent of Public Education. Top vote getters included Robert Franklin and James Taylor.
Two former state lawmakers will continue their quest to become the state Labor Commissioner. Kevin West led the Primary Day voting by about 22,000 votes over John Pfeiffer, but neither reached 50%, so they will battle in August.
The Insurance Commissioner race runoff will have Bob Sullivan face off against Marty Quinn. Sullivan grabbed 37% of the vote while Quinn pulled 27% of the support in that race.
In State Legislative races- House members that have been major supporters of rural issues rolled to GOP wins- including Kyle Hilbert, Danny Sterling, and John Kane.
In the State Senate, incumbent Grant Green in District 28 has held on to advance as the GOP nominee; he will face Kevin Connor in November.
