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Countdown To August 26 Runoff Elections

Laura Knoll
/
KGOU

Democrats in Oklahoma who already face an uphill battle against Republicans in this increasingly red state for the fall 2014 election now are preparing for two more months of inner-party conflict in races for nominations in three major political contests, two of which are state-wide races. Republicans have more runoffs in state house and senate districts.

Democratic candidates for an open U.S. Senate seat, open 5th District U.S. House seat and state schools superintendent all were forced into an August 26 runoff when no one was able to capture a majority of votes in last week's primary election.

John Fox and Freda Deskin are competing for the Democratic nomination for the state schools superintendent slot. Connie Johnson faces Jim Rogers for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. Tom Guild and Al McAffrey will continue to fight for the nomination in the U.S. Congressional District 5.

Among those three races, Republicans only have a runoff in the 5th District between Patrice Douglas and Steve Russell, and no statewide runoffs.

While Democratic candidates and party officials are putting a positive spin on the opportunity a primary runoff presents, it also means pumping more money and resources into races that pit one Democrat against another.

But Republicans have twice as many state legislative runoff elections to finish. Election results show the Republicans have eight runoff efforts in six State House and two State Senate elections, while the Democrats have just four -- three in State House races and one in State Senate competitions.

There will be runoff elections for Republicans in State House districts 29, 38, 43, 61, 65 and 69, and in State Senate districts 22 and 40.

Democrats have runoffs in State House districts 88, 89 and 99, and in State Senate district 8.

The last day to register for the August 26th runoff election is August 1st.

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