Many of the key 2014 Oklahoma races are a big step closer to being decided. Oklahomans entered the primary season with a few federal & statewide seats already decided because no one contested an incumbent.
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While 2014 will be historical for the number of seats contested, the voters have a significant number of races decided for them.
Jim Bridenstine, Scott Prewitt, Gary Jones, & ken Miller were not challenged electorally. Todd Hiett & John Doak won clear primary victories and were not challenged by any Democrat or independent candidates.
Democrats will have statewide runoff elections to determine their candidate for Superintendent of Public Education and for US Senate in the unexpired term being vacated.
The Oklahoma City metro area will send both Republican & Democrat voters to the polls for a runoff of congressional candidates in District 5.
The steady growth of the Republican Party continues to demonstrate an overwelming advantage in most areas of the state. Only in District 2 were there more Democrats at the primary polls than Republicans. Incumbent Markwayne Mullin will seek a 2nd term to congress in this historically "Dixiecrat" part of East & Southeast Oklahoma.
There was one very public rebuke and eviction in the June 24th election. State Superintendent, Janet Barresi was widely rejected for her administration of the state's public schools. Her advocacy of Common Core was repudiated by Conservatives and proponents of state independence in education standards. Liberals and school district administrators blasted her "grading the schools" initiative. A groundswell of public support for school district flexibility began to emerge in legislative initiatives. Gov. Fallin could have received equal scrutiny, but she still won the primary election.
The most stunning victory came in the US Senate race to finish Tom Coburn's term. A young Baptist preacher-turned-politician rose to leadership in every arena of church and govt. service. His 57% in the primary was not expected. While some credit his record of service, others also point out the strong support of the state's Southern Baptists and thousands who send their teens to Falls Creek Baptist Church Camp, where he was a popular director.
The "Tea Party" label became ambiguous in Oklahoma because nearly every Republican claimed to identify with the populist label. While originally the term identified with a strong opposition to federal bailouts of banks and others deemed "too big to fail"; it is now vaguely connected in media outlets with anti-immigrant, states' rights, privacy rights, and other social issues.
Lost in the 2014 election is the issue of Federal mandated health insurance requirements and the massive federal deficit. the issues of marriage and abortion have rarely been debated or even referenced in campaign literature.
Jim Bridenstine, Scott Prewitt, Gary Jones, & ken Miller were not challenged electorally. Todd Hiett & John Doak won clear primary victories and were not challenged by any Democrat or independent candidates.
Democrats will have statewide runoff elections to determine their candidate for Superintendent of Public Education and for US Senate in the unexpired term being vacated.
The Oklahoma City metro area will send both Republican & Democrat voters to the polls for a runoff of congressional candidates in District 5.
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| Markwayne Mullin |
There was one very public rebuke and eviction in the June 24th election. State Superintendent, Janet Barresi was widely rejected for her administration of the state's public schools. Her advocacy of Common Core was repudiated by Conservatives and proponents of state independence in education standards. Liberals and school district administrators blasted her "grading the schools" initiative. A groundswell of public support for school district flexibility began to emerge in legislative initiatives. Gov. Fallin could have received equal scrutiny, but she still won the primary election.
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| James Lankford |
The "Tea Party" label became ambiguous in Oklahoma because nearly every Republican claimed to identify with the populist label. While originally the term identified with a strong opposition to federal bailouts of banks and others deemed "too big to fail"; it is now vaguely connected in media outlets with anti-immigrant, states' rights, privacy rights, and other social issues.
Lost in the 2014 election is the issue of Federal mandated health insurance requirements and the massive federal deficit. the issues of marriage and abortion have rarely been debated or even referenced in campaign literature.
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| David Van Risseghem |
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