By Constitution Staff

The General Election in November completed the 2024 elections for seats in the Oklahoma Legislature. Republicans kept their supermajority status in both chambers and enter the 60th Oklahoma Legislature with a Senate majority of 40-8 and a House majority of 81-20. Those were the same numbers in both chambers where they started the election year.

A number of legislators were not able to run for reelection in 2024 due to Term Limits. Oklahoma voters overwhelmingly adopted a State Question in 1990 that placed limitations on the terms of lawmakers. Legislators are limited to a total combined service in the House and/or Senate of 12 years.

In 2024 there were eight legislators who could not run for reelection because of Term Limits – all but one was a Republican. That list included four members of the House, and four members of the Senate.

All four members of the Oklahoma House that were ineligible to run were members of the House leadership: House Speaker Charles McCall (R-Atoka), Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols (R-OKC), Assistant Majority Floor Leader Mark McBride (R-Moore), and Majority Whip Terry O'Donnell (R-Catoosa).

Four members of the State Senate were unable to seek reelection, including Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat (R-OKC), the leader of the Senate. Others included Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) who was elected chairman of the Oklahoma Republican Party in 2023, and Rob Standridge (R-Norman). One Democrat, Kevin Matthews (D-Tulsa) was also Term-Limited. In addition, Senate Minority (Democrat) Leader Kay Floyd (D-OKC) was not up for election this cycle but reached the term-limit in the middle of her term due to the time she previously served in the Oklahoma House. The seat was filled in a Special Election which coincided with the other legislative elections.

A number of other legislators decided not to run, even though they were not Term-Limited, including ten members of the Oklahoma House, and four Senators. Representatives Jeff Boatman (R-Tulsa) and Regina Goodwin (D-Tulsa) did not seek reelection and instead ran for open seats in the Oklahoma Senate. Boatman lost in the primary, but Goodwin won election in the primary. Rep. Monroe Nichols (D-Tulsa) sucessfully ran for mayor of Tulsa. Rep. Lonnie Sims (R-Jenks) filed for an open Tulsa County commissioner seat and won that office.

Representatives Rhonda Baker (R-Yukon), Sherrie Conley (R-Newcastle), Keven McDugle (R-Broken Arrow), Marcus McEntire (R-Duncan), Randy Randleman (R-Eufaula), and Mauree Turner (D-OKC) also did not seek another term.

Four members of the Senate did not seek reelection, including Tom Dugger (R-Stillwater), Cris Kidd (R-Ringling), Joe Newhouse (R-Broken Arrow), and Dewayne Pemberton (R-Muskogee). In addition, Sen. George Young (D-OKC) resigned his seat, which was not scheduled for election this year, so it was filled in a Special Election which will coincided with the other legislative elections.

With incumbent Senator Pemberton not running for reelection, former Rep. Avery Frix (R-Muskogee) filed for the open seat and since no other candidates filed, took the seat. Frix gave up his seat in the Oklahoma House in 2022 and made an unsuccessful run for the open Second District U.S. House seat.

Oklahoma Senate Elections

Senators serve four-year terms, with half of the seats up for election each election cycle. The even numbered districts will not be on the ballot until 2026. The odd numbered seats were up for election in 2024. However, as previously noted, two of the even numbered seats were on the ballot this year due to Senator Floyd being Term-Limited, and the resignation of Senator Young. Republicans held 18 of the even numbered seats not on the ballot this cycle, with Democrats holding only four. So, the GOP only needed to hold 7 of the 26 seats on the ballot to maintain control.

Six senators were automatically elected because no other candidates filed, or their opponents withdrew or were stricken from the ballot after filing. All of those were Republicans. Therefore, Republicans were already guaranteed to have 24 seats at filing, just one seat short of the 25 needed for continued control. Republicans picked up six more seats in the June 18 primary elections, since only Republicans were running for those seats. Democrats took just two.

Four incumbent state senators were defeated the primary elections. Perhaps the most surprising loss of an incumbent legislator was the defeat of Sen. Greg McCortney (R-Ada) who was the sitting majority floor leader in the Senate. McCortney had already been chosen by the Republican Caucus earlier in the year to be the next Senate President Pro Tempore to succeed outgoing Senate leader Greg Treat. McCortney lost to Jonathan Wingard of Ada who was elected to the Senate District 13 seat since no other candidates filed. McCortney, was rightly attacked as being a RINO (Republican In Name Only). He had a cumulative average of just 55% on the Oklahoma Conservative Index published by the Oklahoma Constitution newspaper.

In Senate District 37, incumbent Sen. Cody Rogers (R-Tulsa) was defeated. Rogers had a cumulative average of 66% on the Oklahoma Conservative Index.

In Senate District 43, incumbent Sen. Jessica Garvin (R-Duncan) was also defeated. She had a cumulative average of 66% on the Oklahoma Conservative Index and was challenged for not being conservative enough.

In Senate District 3, Sen. Blake "Cowboy" Stephens (R-Tahlequah) was pushed into a August 27 Runoff Primary and was defeated. After the Oklahoma Legislature redistricted the district boundaries following the 2020 U.S. Census, the district much different from what it was when Stephens was elected four years earlier. Stephens has a cumulative average of 65% on the Oklahoma Conservative Index.

Former Senator Ron Sharp (R-Shawnee) challenged Sen. Shane Jett (R-Shawnee) in an attempt to reclaim his old seat. But, Sen. Jett was reelected in the primary over Sharp and several other challengers.

With the resignation of Sen. George Young (R-OKC), former Senator Connie Johnson (R-OKC) ran for the seat, but lost to Nikki Nice who has served on the Oklahoma City Council since 2018. Since only Democrats filed for the seat, Nice was elected in the primary.

Former Rep. Wendi Stearman (R-Bartlesville) challenged Sen. Julie Daniels (R-Bartlesville), but Daniels was reelected in the primary.

Going into the General Election, the GOP had 30 seats compared to six for the Democrats, assuring Republicans of continued control of the Senate. The remaining 12 seats were filled in the November General Election. No Democrats filed for three of the remaining seats – only independents challenged the GOP candidates. No Democrats filed for three of the Senate seats – only independents were challenging the GOP candidates.

In the Senate General Election races, every incumbent won their race, and the open seats was filled by a new member of the same party as their predecessor.

Oklahoma House Elections

All 101 Oklahoma House seats are up for election each election cycle. In the House there were 81 Republicans, 20 Democrats. Because no other candidates filed, or their opponents withdrew or were stricken from the ballot after filing, 44 members of the House were elected at filing. That number included 38 Republicans and just 6 Democrats.

Three incumbent representatives were defeated in the primary elections.

In House District 33, Rep. John Talley (R-Stillwater) was defeated by former teacher Molly Jenkins who lives with her husband on a farm outside of Coyle. She was critical of Talley’s poor conservative record. Talley has a cumulative average of only 49% on the Oklahoma Conservative Index. Jenkins was elected to the seat since there was no opposition in the General Election.

In House District 98, Rep. Dean Davis (R-Broken Arrow) was defeated by just 28 votes. Rep. Davis had a cumulative average of 73% on the Oklahoma Conservative Index and had a perfect 100% score in the 2024 session. In House District 32, Budget Committee Chairman Kevin Wallace (R-Wellston) was defeated by challenger Jim Shaw of Chandler. Shaw won in the runoff with 54% of the vote. Since there was no opposition in the General Election, Shaw was elected to the seat. Rep. Wallace had a cumulative average of only 54% on the Oklahoma Conservative Index.

Nineteen Republicans and three Democrats were elected in the June 18 primary elections, since there was no opposition in the General Election. That number included 13 incumbents (12 Republicans and one Democrat). Another four Republicans were elected in the August 27 Runoff Primary elections. Therefore, the GOP went into the General Election with 61seats compared to 9 for the Democrats. So, Republicans were already guaranteed to keep control of the House.

There were 31 House seats at stake in the General Election. In five of those races, no Democrats filed, and the Republican only faced a Libertarian or independent candidate. One seat did not have a Republican running, with the Democrat only competing with an independent.

In House General Election races, every incumbent won their race, and every open seat was filled by a new member of the same party as their predecessor.

Vacant Seats

The bi-annual Organizational Day for the Oklahoma Legislature took place on January 7 and the legislative session convenes on February 3. However, due to the resignation of three legislators, some legislative districts will not have representation for all or most of the upcoming legislative session. Sen. Roger Thompson resigned effective November 1, 2024, to become the CEO and Executive Director of the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association. There are two vacancies in the Oklahoma House. Representatives Amanda Swope (D-Tulsa), and Mark Vancuren (R-Owasso), resigned to take positions in the City of Tulsa and Tulsa County governments respectively. These vacancies will be filled in upcoming special elections.

The following incumbents were reelected to the Senate because they had no opponents:

George Burns (R-Pollard)

Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle)

Roland Pederson (R-Burlington)

Adam Pugh (R-Edmond)

Paul Rosino (R-OKC)

One Senator, not an incumbent, was elected to the Senate because he had no opponent:

Avery Frix (R-Muskogee)

The following incumbents were reelected to the Senate in the June 18 Primary:

Micheal Bergstrom (R-Big Cabin)

Julie Daniels (R-Bartlesville)

Shane Jett (R-Shawnee)

Casey Murdock (R-Felt)

The following Senators, not incumbents, were elected to the Senate in the June 18 Primary:

Regina Goodwin (D-Tulsa)

Spencer Kern (R-Duncan)

Nikki Nice (D-OKC)

Jonathan Wingard (R-Ada)

The following incumbents were reelected to the Senate in the General Election:

Jo Anna Dossett (D-Tulsa)

Warren Hamilton (R-McCurtain)

Dave Rader R-Tulsa)

The following Senators, not incumbents, were elected to the Senate in the General Election:

Christi Gillespie (R-Broken Arrow)

Randy Grellner (R-Cushing)

Brian Guthrie (R-Bixby)

Kelly Hines (R-Edmond)

Mark Mann (D-OKC)

Julie McIntosh (R-Porter)

Aaron Reinhardt (R-Jenks)

Kendal Sacchieri (R-Blanchard)

Lisa Standridge (R-Norman)

The following incumbents were elected to the House because they had no opponents:

Nick Archer (R-Elk City)

Chris Banning (R-Bixby)

Steve Bashore (R-Miami)

Forrest Bennett (D-OKC)

Meloyde Blancett (D-Tulsa)

Brad Boles (R-Marlow)

Ty Burns (R-Pawnee)

Chad Caldwell (R-Enid)

Josh Cantrell (R-Kingston)

Rusty Cornwall (R-Vinita)

Jared Deck (D-Norman)

Mike Dobrinski (R-Okeene)

Mickey Dollens (D-OKC)

Collin Duel (R-Guthrie)

Ross Ford (R-Broken Arrow)

Tom Gann (R-Inola)

John George (R-Newalla)

Jim Grego (R-Wilburton)

Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow)

Brian Hill (R-Mustang)

Justin Humphrey (R-Lane)

John Kane (R-Bartlesville)

Gerrid Kendrix (R-Altus)

Mark Lawson (R-Sapulpa)

Mark Lepak (R-Claremore)

Dick Lowe (R-Amber)

Jason Lowe: (D-OKC)

T.J. Marti (R-Tulsa)

Stan May (R-Broken Arrow)

Cody Maynard (R-Durant)

Nicole Miller (R-Edmond)

Anthony Moore (R-Clinton)

Mike Osburn (R-Edmond)

Kevin Patzkowsky (R-Balko)

David Smith (R-Arpelar)

Chris Sneed (R-Fort Gibson)

Danny Sterling (R-Tecumseh)

Amanda Swope (D-Tulsa)

Mark Tedford (R-Tulsa)

Arturo Alonso Sandoval (D-OKC)

John Waldron (D-Tulsa)

Josh West (R-Grove)

Kevin West (R-Moore)

Rick West (R-Heavener)

The following incumbents were reelected to the House in the June 18 Primary:

Toni Hasenbeck (R-Elgin)

Neil Hays (R-Checotah)

Ronny Johns (R-Ada)

Chris Kannady (R-OKC)

Robert Manger (R-OKC)

Carl Newton (R-Cherokee)

Jim Olsen (R-Roland)

Ajay Pittman (D-OKC)

Cindy Roe (R-Lindsay)

Preston Stinson (R-Edmond)

Judd Strom (R-Copan)

Tammy Townley (R-Ardmore)

Danny Williams (R-Seminole)

The following Representatives, not incumbents, were elected to the House in the June 18 Primary:

Ryan Eaves (R-Atoka)

Rob Hall (R-Tulsa)

Mike Lay (R-Jenks)

Derrick Hildebrant (R-Catoosa)

Molly Jenkins (R-Coyle)

Michelle McCane (D-Tulsa)

Ron Stewart (D-Tulsa)

Tim Turner (R-Kinta)

The following Representatives, not incumbents, were elected to the House in the August 27 Runoff:

Stacy Jo Adams (R-Duncan)

Jason Blair (R-Moore)

Mike Kelley (R-Yukon)

Jim Shaw (R-Chandler)

The following incumbents were reelected to the House in the General Election:

Scott Fetgatter (R-Okmulgee)

Trey Caldwell (R-Faxon)

Bob Ed Culver (R-Tahlequah)

Denise Crosswhite Hader (R-Yukon)

Eddy Dempsey (R-Valliant)

Andy Fugate (D-OKC)

David Hardin (R-Stilwell)

Ellyn Hefner (D-OKC)

Dell Kerbs (R-Shawnee)

Erick Harris (R-Edmond)

Ken Luttrell (R-Ponca City)

Annie Menz (D-Norman)

Cyndi Munson (D-OKC)

Daniel Pae (R-Lawton)

John Pfeiffer (R-Mulhall)

Melissa Provenzano (D-Tulsa)

Trish Ranson (D-Stillwater)

Eric Roberts (R-OKC)

Jacob Rosecrants (D-Norman)

Clay Staires (R-Skiatook)

Marilyn Stark (R-Bethany)

Jay Steagall (R-Yukon)

Mark Vancuren (R-Owasso)

Tammy West (R-OKC)

Max Wolfley (R-OKC)

Rande Worthen (R-Lawton)

The following Representatives, not incumbents, were elected to the House in the General Election:

Mark Chapman (R-Broken Arrow)

Emily Gise (R-OKC)

Ellen Pogemiller (D-OKC)

Jonathan Wilk (R-Goldsby)

Gabe Woolley (R-Broken Arrow)