The August 2024 runoff races for Republican incumbents did not turn out well.
House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Kevin Wallace was defeated by challenger Jim Shaw in a high-stakes race that saw over a million dollars spent on advertising. The seat, representing Lincoln, Logan, and Payne counties, was one of the most closely watched contests of the evening. Wallace, who has held the position since 2014, lost by approximately 1,500 votes. The voters in the district choose to give up the leadership role and instead send a fresh face to the state Capitol in Shaw.
In Senate District 3, which includes Tahlequah, incumbent Senator Blake “Cowboy” Stephens was unseated by newcomer Julie McIntosh. The district had the highest voter turnout of the night, with more than 9,000 ballots cast. McIntosh’s victory was fueled by a strong grassroots campaign and widespread dissatisfaction with Stephens’ legislative record.
Representative Dean Davis also appears to not be returning to the Capitol to represent House District 98. Unofficial results indicate Davis lost to Gabe Woolley in the Republican runoff. Woolley garnered 50.56% of the vote to Davis’ 49.44%. With a total of 2,480 votes cast, 28 votes separate Woolley from Davis. Democrat Cathy Smythe will challenge the winner in the General Election.
In one of the non-incumbent runoffs, Jason Blair advances over fellow Republican Nick Pokorny by a margin of 62.45% to 37.55% in the House District 53 Republican runoff. Blair will be sworn in as the House member replacing term-limited Representative Mark McBride.
Senate District 47’s Republican runoff resulted in Kelly E. Hines defeating Jenny Schmitt (60.31% to 39.69%). Hines will meet Democrat Erin Brewer in the November General Election. The winner in November will take the seat held by the current leader of the Senate, Greg Treat, who has termed out as well.
Lisa Standridge won a tight runoff for Senate District 15 against Robert C. Keyes (50.51% to 49.49%). There were less than 5,000 total votes in the Republican runoff with just 51 votes separating the two candidates. Standridge, the wife of current SD 15 seat holder Senator Rob Standridge, will face Democrat Elizabeth Foreman in November.
For the House District 60 Republican runoff, Mike Kelley took the nod over Ron Lynch (64.77% to 35.23%). Kelley takes the House seat currently held by outgoing Representative Rhonda Baker.
It was a tight race which could be headed for a recount for the Republican runoff for House District 20. Jonathan Wilk edged out Mike Whaley (50.03% to 49.97%). According to the unofficial results posted on the Oklahoma State Election Board’s election results website, the margin of victory was only two votes. There were 3,334 total votes cast in the race. The eventual winner will face Democrat Mitchell Jacob in November.
Stacy Jo Adams is the winner of the Republican runoff for House District 50. Adams beat Andrew Aldridge by a margin of 61.71% to 38.29% of the vote to replace Representative Mark McEntire who chose not to seek re-election.
The Republican runoff in Senate District 33 sends Christi Gillespie to the General Election. She defeated Shelley Gwartney to advance and face Democrat Bob Willis in November.
Oklahoma City Voters passed an increase to the city’s hotel tax, the first in 20 years.
Oklahoma City voters approved raising the local hotel occupancy tax Tuesday in an attempt to generate more funding for tourism promotion.
Effective Oct. 1, the tax will go from its current rate of 5.50% to 9.25%. The hotel tax increase is in addition to the state’s 4.5% sales tax, the current 5.5% hotel charge, and the city’s 4.125% sales tax, resulting in a total room tax of 17.875%. The Oklahoma City increase makes the OKC tax rate for a room comparable to other cities in the region.
That tax is charged to anyone who stays overnight in a hotel or rents a home-sharing property, like Airbnb and Vrbo.
The city expects to bring in more than $11 million to promote tourism and make improvements to the fairgrounds and convention center.
Complete results are available by clicking here.
