Hern outspends, defeats former DA Tim Harris

Republican newcomer Kevin Stitt swept past former Oklahoma City Mayor Mitt Cornett (55-45 percent) after a contentious campaign for governor.

Cornett aired a TV ad that used the derogatory term, “Bull Stitt,” and that could have backfired among Christian voters.

Stitt will face Democrat Drew Edmondson, the former state attorney general, and Libertarian Chris Powell in the November 6 election. There is a stark contrast between Stitt, a successful businessman who is making his first run for office, and Edmondson, whose family has deep roots in liberal Democrat politics.

Stitt has been endorsed by former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn; U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas; Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak; and a number of state lawmakers.

Tulsa businessman Kevin Hern beat former Tulsa County District Attorney Tim Harris in the GOP primary and will face Tim Gilpin, who won the Democrat runoff August 28. Hern spent as much as 10 times what Harris spent in the runoff primary and TV attacks on Harris paid off.

Tulsa County Assessor Steve Kunzweiler defeated his former assistant Ben Fu in the GOP runoff. Kunzweiler will face Democrat Jenny Proehl-Day on November 6. Fu lost support among conservative Republicans when in a recent forum he wouldn’t say if he voted for Donald Trump for president and he didn’t deny voting for Barack Obama twice.

John A. Wright is now the Tulsa County assessor-elect after defeating Darren Gantz in the runoff. No Democrat filed so Wright replaces the retiring Ken Yazel.

In perhaps the most contentious contest in the runoff, Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter beat Tulsa attorney Gentner Drummond by less than 300 votes (out of almost 300,000 votes cast).

Drummond conceded and will not seek a recount.

“After considering whether to seek a recount and researching what that would entail I have decided instead to concede the election today in an effort to bring unity to the Republican Party,” Drummond said.

“As we move forward past the runoff and on to the November general election in a unified front, I can sum it up best by quoting President Abraham Lincoln in his first inaugural address, when he said, ‘We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature,’” Hunter said.

Matt Pinnell, former State Republican Party chairman, raced past Corporation Commissioner Dana Murphy for the nomination for lieutenant governor. Pinnell faces Democrat Anastasia on November 6.

Republican Cindy Byrd edged Charlie Prater by 951 votes the GOP runoff for state auditor and inspector. Since no Democrat filed, the November 6 race will be between Byrd and Independent John Yeutter.

State School Superintendent Joy Hofmeister defeated Linda Murphy to retain her state job. In November, Hofmeister will run against Democrat John Cox and Independent Larry Huff.

Former state Rep. Leslie Osborn, who broke with the GOP platform and advocated for higher taxes, beat Cathy Costello (widow of former Labor Commissioner Mark Costello). The November 6 ballot will contain Osborn, Democrat Fred Dorrell and Independent Brandt Dismukes.

Commissioner Bob Anthony defeated former State Sen. Brian Bingman and will go against Democrat Ashley Nicole McCray in November for the seat on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.

The Oklahoma House and the Republican Caucus just became less conservative with the defeat of State Rep. Dr. Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow, and Rep. George Faught, R-Muskogee. Both had consistently high conservative voting rankings and were targeted with negative advertising paid for by dark money. Stan May beat Ritze in the runoff and Chris Sneed defeated Faught.

In an open seat in House District 79, conservative businessman Dan Hicks edged Tulsa City Councilor Karen Gilbert, whose husband works for the Tulsa World. Rep. Weldon Watson, who consistently got low conservative ratings, was term limited.

Hicks faces Democrat Melissa Provenzano and Independent Teresa Marler in the November 6 general election.

In the Tulsa city elections, District 1 Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper, District 6 Councilor Connie Dodson and District 9 Councilor Ben Kimbro all won re-election. There will be three runoffs on November 6 between Crista Patrick and Justin Rolph (District 3), Daniel Regan and Kara Joy McKee (District 4) and Cass Fahler and Mykey Arthrell (District 5).

Also on August 28, Broken Arrow voters approved more than $200,000,000.00 in new borrowing for the city with six bond proposals.