Meet the 20 already 'elected' to 2019 Legislature, learn more about record-breaking candidate filing in Oklahoma
One month ago, 73 percent of the Oklahoma Legislature members running for re-election had no challenger. Now only 13 percent of the races appear to be uncontested after Friday's candidate filing deadline.
Of the 24 races for the state Senate and 101 in the House, 20 are decided already as only one candidate is currently filed to run for each of those seats.Â
Below are legislators whose seats are already secure in the 57th Oklahoma Legislature next year.
2019 legislators
This year broke records for candidate filings, with 462 candidates filing for the House and Senate this year, compared to 264 in 2014; 152 Democrats filed for the state House this year, compared to 66 in 2014.
Twenty legislative races drew six or more candidates, including House District 20 with seven seeking to unseat incumbent Rep. Bobby Cleveland (R-Slaughterville) and five opposing Rep. Charles McCall (R-Atoka) for House District 22.
Of those who are not term-limited, 18 incumbent House members and four incumbent Senate members have chosen not to run again. New faces are guaranteed to fill at least 42 seats (28 percent) when the 2019 legislative session begins.
Notable legislators exiting early: state Sen. Josh Brecheen, state Sen. A.J. Griffin, Rep. John Bennett, Rep. Josh Cockroft and Rep. Cory Williams, who is running for Payne County district attorney.
The June 26 primaries will include many legislative districts with only Republican candidates: 10 races will be decided either by candidates receiving a majority of votes or by runoff elections.
State Sen. Darcy Jech, SD 26
R-Kingfisher
State Sen. J.J. Dossett, SD34
D-Owasso
State Sen. Michael Brooks-Jimenez, SD44
D-OKC
State Sen. Kay Floyd, SD 46
D-OKC
Rep. Johnny Tadlock, HD1
D-Idabel
Rep. Matt Meredith, HD 4
D-Tahlequah
Rep. Dustin Roberts, HD 21
R-Durant
Rep. Emily Virgin, HD44
D-Norman
Rep. Marcus McEntire HD50
R-Duncan
Rep. Brad Boles, HD51
R-Marlow
Rep. Charles Ortega, HD 52
R-Altus
Rep. Carl Newton, HD 58
R-Cherokee
Rep. Mike Sanders HD 59
R-Kingfisher
Rep. Regina Goodwin, HD73
D-Tulsa
Rep. Collin Walke, HD87
D-OKC
Rep. Jason Dunnington HD88
D-OKC
Rep. Shane Stone, HD 89
D-OKC
Rep. Forrest Bennett HD92
D-OKC
Rep. Mickey Dollens HD93
D-OKC
Rep. Jason Lowe HD 97
D-OKC