Republicans celebrated big wins once again in Oklahoma. This time, they celebrated nationally, too. As expected, Oklahoma remained one of the reddest states in the country. Gov. Mary Fallin easily won re-election Tuesday and was among several state GOP members claiming landslide victories, including another sweep of the U.S. Senate and House. Beyond state borders, Republicans reclaimed control of the U.S. Senate. They entered Tuesday needing to gain at least six seats to take control over the Democrats. Republicans did that and were poised for more. Its possible the next Senate could include as many as 54 Republicans. The U.S. House will remain under Republican control. That news had Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe celebrating on Tuesday, even before polls closed. “We will be able to do all the things that are significant,” Inhofe said during an Election Day rally in Tulsa. In Oklahoma, the closest statewide race was for state superintendent. That one also ended with a decisive Republican win — Joy Hofmeister claimed 56 percent of the vote to beat Democrat John Cox, who had 44 percent. Inhofe and James Lankford both won by almost identical margins to claim U.S. Senate seats. They each had nearly 70 percent of the vote. In U.S. House races, four Republicans were victorious. The only question is whether state law could require District 2 winner Markwayne Mullin to face a second election. Democrat challenger Earl Everett died Sunday from injuries he suffered in a car accident Friday. It appeared turnout was the lowest in a general election since 1978, when fewer than 800,000 voted for governor. Only 823,761 ballots were cast this year. State Superintendent After knocking off the incumbent in the Republican primary, Hofmeister turned back her Democratic challenger. With Hofmeister at about 54 percent of the vote and comfortably ahead, John Cox conceded the race in a speech to supporters in Muskogee shortly after 8:30 p.m. Hofmeister, 50, won a four-year term. Cox said he would support education for the rest of his life and encouraged supporters to get behind Hofmeister as she takes over the superintendents post. Hofmeister, the owner and operator of two Kumon Math and Reading Centers in Tulsa, knocked out incumbent Janet Barresi in a surprising, outright win in the Republican primary. Cox, Peggs superintendent, emerged the victor from a crowded Democratic primary field. Read more about Hofmeisters win Video: State Superintendent candidate Joy Hofmeister speaks in Tulsa Governor Fallin won four more years, easily defeating Democrat Joe Dorman and two Independent candidates. The incumbent governor had 56 percent of the vote to Dormans 41 percent. Two independents had the remaining votes. Fallin, 59, served two terms in the state House before being elected as the states first Republican and first female lieutenant governor in 1994. She served three terms before winning a U.S. House seat in 2006. She ran for Oklahomas open governors seat in 2010. Winning that race with Democratic nominee and then-Lt. Gov. Jari Askins with more than 60 percent of the vote, Fallin became Oklahomas first female governor. The nation was in a recession when Fallin took office and the state faced a $500 million budget shortfall. She campaigned for a second term on her record of closing the budget gap, replenishing the states rainy day fund and lowering the states unemployment rate. Click here to read the story on Fallins win Video: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Dorman speaks on election day U.S. Senate U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe will have another six years in office. And James Lankford won his first term as a U.S. senator. Inhofe, a 79-year-old Republican, defeated Democratic challenger Matt Silverstein and three other Independent challengers. Inhofe had 68 percent of the vote to Silversteins 28.5 percent. Lankford defeated Democrat Connie Johnson and Independent Mark Beard. Lankford had 68 percent of the vote. He succeeds Sen. Tom Coburn, who retired with two years remaining on his term. Lankford, 46, will have to run again for a full term in 2016. Click here to read the full story on Inhofes and Lankfords wins U.S. House of Representatives The apparent re-election of Second District Congressman Markwayne Mullin remained in question Tuesday night because of the death earlier this week of Democratic challenger Earl Everett. Mullin, a Republican, was getting close to 70 percent of the vote against Everett and independent Jon Douthitt, but may have to go through a second election because of the state laws wording. Everett had not campaigned to any extent and had only 25 of the vote with 80 percent of the precincts reporting Tuesday night, but state law allows parties to replace deceased candidates — even if, as in this case, it requires a special election. Tuesday, Fallin said she will be consulting with the state election board and the attorney general on the proper course of action. In other races, Republican Frank Lucas won in Oklahomas 3rd District, easily outdistancing Democrat Frankie Robbins. In House District 4, Tom Cole was re-elected to his seventh term, defeating Democrat Bert Smith and Independent Dennis Johnson. Click here to read more of the story. Republicans charging in quest for U.S. Senate control WASHINGTON — Resurgent Republicans rode a powerful wave of voter discontent toward possible control of the Senate and a stronger grip on the House Tuesday night in elections certain to complicate President Barack Obamas final two years in office. The Republican Senate leader, Mitch McConnell, dispatched Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes in Kentucky after a $78 million campaign of unrelieved negativity. Voters are hungry for new leadership. They want a reason to be hopeful, said the man in line to become majority leader and set the Senate agenda if his party gains control. Two-term incumbent Mark Pryor of Arkansas was the first Democrat to fall, defeated by freshman Rep. Tom Cotton. A few hours later, Sen. Mark Udall lost a re-election bid in Colorado to Rep. Cory Gardner. Click here to read more of the story City Council Challengers Anna America and Connie Dodson defeated City Council incumbents Arianna Moore and Skip Steele on Tuesday. America, 51, is director of Tulsa’s Communities in Schools organization and served a term on the Tulsa Public Schools board. America said she is looking forward to joining the council, with long-term goals of strengthening the relationship between the city and neighborhoods and reinvesting in business corridors. Dodson, who owns Connie Palmer Photography, said during the campaign that Steele had failed to represent all of his constituents. She was especially critical of his handling of a dispute over a Cinco de Mayo celebration that involved the Greater Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Click here to read the story on the City Council races District judges Three new judges were elected to the bench in judicial District 14, including First Assistant District Attorney Doug Drummond and the district’s first black female judge. Drummond received 61.3 percent of the vote to defeat incumbent Mark Barcus. “We felt like we would run a strong campaign and that we’d win,” Drummond said. In Office 1, Caroline Wall had 52 percent of the vote to defeat incumbent William Kellough. In a similarly close election, defense attorney Sharon Holmes edged juvenile court case manager Tanya Wilson for District Judge Jesse Harris’ Office 2 seat by 4.2 percentage points, or 211 votes. “I’m very honored to be the first black female elected judge” for District 14, Holmes said, adding that she feels privileged to serve Tulsa and Pawnee counties. District Judge Mary Fitzgerald held her seat by receiving more than 63 percent of the vote in her race against Eric Quandt. District Judge Kurt Glassco received nearly 64 percent of the vote to defeat Jill Webb. Click here for the full story. Lt. Governor Republican Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb has won a second, four-year term as the states second-in-charge. With 90 percent of precincts reporting, Lamb, 43, had 68 percent of the vote. He defeated Democrat Cathy Cummings, who had 32 percent.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Dec 2014 05:05:16 +0000
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