The 2024 primary election to be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 will be covering a multitude of federal, state, and county offices.  If a runoff election is required it will be held on August 27th, and the general election, November 5th, will pit the Democrat and Republican candidates chosen in the primary elections.

The City of Tulsa elections are non-partisan and will be voted on August 27, if a run-off election is required for those offices it will be held on November 5, 2024 general election.  The filing deadline for the City of Tulsa races end on June 12.

Due to the large number of races and candidates this coverage will be split between this issue and the June 13 issue.  This week the federal, statewide offices and state senator races will be covered.  Next week the Tulsa County races as well as the state house races will be reported on.

There are no U.S. Senators up for election this year in Oklahoma, but the U.S. House races are held every two years.  In the Tulsa area we have Incumbent Kevin Hern, 62, and challenger Paul Royse, 53, facing off in the First District Republican primary and Dennis Baker and Evelyn Rogers in the Democrat primary.  Democrat Sarah Gray who filed for this race has withdrawn.

Rep. Kevin Hern is the incumbent in this race and has held this position since 2018. He currently serves on the House Ways and Means Combite Tax subcommittee.  He earned an engineering degree and a MBA. He has worked as an aerospace engineer, a hog farmer,  writing software programs, working in real estate and started an organization that own multiple McDonald’s restaurants.

On his website hernforcongress.com he states that he has kept many of his campaign promises.

He has supported term limits, securing the Border, balancing the budget, protecting  2nd Amendment rights,  life, freedom of speech and religious freedom.  He supported then President Trump efforts to drain the swamp and put Americans back to work.  He also supports veterans.

Paul Royse of Tulsa is running for the same seat as a Republican.  He also unsuccessfully ran for state House seat against Democrat Melodye Blancett in 2020 and was one of the eleven Republican candidates to file for U.S. Senator after Jim Inhoffe resigned in 2022.  Royse’s business experience is in law enforcement.  He has worked as a security guard, private detective, police officer, and for the state of Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs.

On the Democrat side of the First District primary is Dennis Baker, 69, and Evelyn Rogers 71.  Baker has worked as a police officer in Tulsa and as an agent of the FBI. As of March 31st Baker had raised $68,466.

Rogers is a perennial candidate, usually a Republican one.  She is a registered Democrat now.  In the past she has run for a variety of offices, from U.S. Senate to the Oklahoma legislature. She has never won a race.  She works as a librarian at TCC.  As of March 31st she had raised no money for the campaign.

The winners of both of these primaries will face each other in November as well as Independent candidate Mark David Garcia Sanders, 64.

In the Second District Congressional race Incumbent Rep. Josh Breechan drew no primary opponent but will face Democrat Brandon Wade and Independent Ronnie Hopkins in the General Election on November 5, 2024.

Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony is retiring and leaving an open seat on the ballot this year.  There are three Republican candidates who have filed as well as Libertarian Chad Williams, 43, and Democrat Harald D. Spradling, 89.  The three Republicans in the primary election are Brian Bingman, 70, Justin Hornback, 40 and Russell Ray, 55.

Bingman has a background in the petroleum industry starting out as a landman and moving up into management. Politically he has been the mayor of Sapulpa, and worked  as a member of the Oklahoma House and Senate.  He was  Senate Pro Tempore for six years.  According to the Oklahoma Constitution newspaper he was a moderate Republican with an average of 59 percent on the Conservative Voting Index.  He ran against Anthony in the 2018 election and lost.  He is endorsed by Gov. Kevin Stitt.

Broken Arrow resident Hornback has worked in the energy industry for 20 years.  He began as a pipe welder working his way up to Specialist in Safety and Health, then used computer programming and data base administration skills to help the dispatch and worked with clients in the regulatory process.  He ran for Corporation Commission in 2022 as well.

Ray has a journalistic background, working as writer, editor and columnist in the energy and business fields.  He supports an investigation into the storm costs that were passed along to consumers.  The Oklahoma Constitution reported that present Commissioner Anthony is supporting Ray.

In Tulsa County there are four state Senate races in the primary election.  Two races do not have primary elections, but will have general elections.

In District 11 there are no republicans filed and two Democrats will face each other in the primary election.  Incumbent Regina Goodwin is being challenged by former Tulsa City Councilor Joe Williams.  The winner of this primary will win the seat, no general election will be necessary.

In Senate District 25  Jeff Boatman and Bixby Mayor Brian Guthrie will face off in the Republican primary, the winner of which will face Democrat Karen Ann Gaddis in the general election Nov. 5th.

Boatman, 56, currently represents District 67 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.  His latest committee assignments are the Appropriations and Budget Committee, Utilities Committee, Joint Appropriations and Budget Committee, Oversight Committee for the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency, Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding and Chair of the Government Modernization and Efficiency Committee in the House.  He was first elected to the House in 2018.  He holds a master’s degree in Christian Counseling and has a background in business and technology.

Guthrie is a graduate of Bixby High School and has an Associates Degree for Tulsa Community College.  He has worked in real estate and construction.  He is a member of the National Association of Realtors, Oklahoma Association of Realtors and the Greater Tulsa Association of Realtors.  In 2011 Guthrie was appointed to a vacant seat on the Bixby City Council and has been elected to that unpaid, volunteer position three times and is currently serving as mayor of Bixby (elected by the city council).  Quoting from his campaign website, guthrieforsenate.com, Guthrie states ““I believe the skills I’ve learned as a businessman and serving as Bixby Mayor have given me a unique insight on how to lead teams with varying beliefs, balance large budgets, and to get things done to serve the people of Senate District 25 well,” Brian stated. “I have a deep understanding of both economic growth inspired by the private sector and economic development managed by public dollars. I truly believe I can have a positive impact at the state level for the people of District 25.”

In Senate District 33 there are four Republican candidates running in the primary election:  Christi Gillespie, 54; Tim Brooks, 40; Shelley Gwartney, 37; and Bill Bickerstaff, 73.  The winner of this election or a runoff election will face Democrat Bob Willis, 73 in the November 5th election. This is an open seat as Sen. Nathan Dahm currently occupies this seat and is term-limited and not eligible for re-election.

Bickerstaff states on his website, votebickerstaff.com that, “My core values are deeply rooted in faith, freedom, and fiscal responsibility. My journey as an entrepreneur has taught me the importance of hard work, integrity, and the transformative power of free enterprise. I believe in the sanctity of life, the strength of family, and the foundational principles of our great nation.

My commitment to public service is driven by these enduring values. I am steadfast in my dedication to promoting economic prosperity, ensuring government accountability, and preserving individual liberties. My service in the U.S. Air Force instilled in me a profound sense of patriotism and a commitment to safeguarding our constitutional rights, including the Second Amendment.”

His three central issues are 1) eliminating the state income tax, 2) Championing quality education underpinned by conservative principles and a respect for traditional values, and 3) Government transparency and accountability.

Brooks is in insurance and is an Agency Partner at Flippo Insurance in Broken Arrow and a graduate of Rhema Training Center.  He states, “So when I see our state legislators considering and voting in favor of laws that increase prices, make it harder to find in-network doctors, and put burdens on people instead of on insurance companies, I cannot just sit by.  It’s time for someone who knows about health insurance, small businesses, families, and education to be helping to make those laws.”

His three key issues are 1)  Small business growth and elimination of excessive legislation that hinders that growth. 2) Tax reform – getting rid of the franchise and income tax, and 3) School reform and school choice.

Gillespie has worked in sales for over 30 years, most recently as the Director of Sales & Training, North America for SeneGence, International.  She is starting a new business with her daughter in Broken Arrow. She is currently on the Broken Arrow City Council as Vice Mayor (position voted on by the City Councilors.) She was first elected to the Council in  2019.  She has a degree in Mass Communications.  Gillespie is on city numerous boards  since she became a city councilor.

She has listed four key issues on her website:  1) Economic Development (especially in the technology sector), 2) Public Safety 3) Education (empower parents to have final say in child’s education and make Northeaster State University – BA a 4-year university, 4) and Individual Liberty (right to bear arms, worship and free speech).

Gwartney works as a consultant and is affiliated with several area conservative groups; Moms for Liberty, OK2A, Republican Women’s Club, NRA and Tulsa Classical Academy.  Her three key  issues are 1) Parents have the God-given right and responsibility to be the primary decision maker for their children. They chose how they educate, medicate, vaccinate, raise, install morals, and discipline their children. They also chose who they partner with in these areas. Parents do not have to co-parent with the government. Our next law makers and leaders are sitting in our classrooms. If I had to only choose one area to focus on, it would be the next generation. Everything depends on how we raise, educate, and empower them! 2) I have witnessed first hand that our criminal justice system is a “guilty unless you can afford your innocence” system. Our state is not doing a good enough job protecting families and their rights. and 3) Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. I am committed to cutting red tape, reducing license fees, and widening the acceptance of cross-state licenses and trainings. Government should not be a hindrance to new businesses launching.

Senate District 35 will not have a primary election, Republican Dean Martin, 70, will face incumbent Democrat JoAnna Dossett, 43, in November.

Senate District 37 will see a primary race between incumbent Republican Cody Rogers, 36, and Aaron Reinhardt, 42.  The winner of this primary will face Independent Andrew Nutter, 43, in November.

Rogers started a paving company in 2015 and grew it into a successful enterprize.  He has worked with multimillion dollar budgets and managed large projects. Rogers says on his website rogersforok.org “He wants to use his business experience to get the government out of the way and off of our back.” He says he is a conservative republican, who is pro-life, and a proven record.

He says, “You trusted me to win back our district, and we did. I’ve worked hard to be a solid conservative voice in the State Senate that limits government and grows our economy, but the fight isn’t over. “

His key issues are:  1) Jobs and the economy, 2) Illegal immigration 3)  Protecting Traditional values, 4) 2nd Amendment rights, 5) Defending Seniors with Social Security and affordable healthcare and 6) Education – making Oklahoma a top ten state.

Rogers has Governor Kevin Stitt’s endorsement.

Reinhardt is new to the political arena.  He is a conservative Republican, pro-life, pro-family, a member of the NRA and supporter of the 2nd Amendment.  He believes in limiting government and keeping taxes low.

Reinhardt is a commercial insurance agent, a Leadership Tulsa and upcoming member of Leadership Jenks. He teaches Sunday School and is on the leadership committee for Upward Tulsa Basketball Ministry.

He wants to lower taxes and control government spending, he supports traditional Oklahoma values and believes that public schools should teach children to read proficiently, and excel at math.  He will fight to improve our schools and empower parents to be involved in their children’s education.

Senate District 39 will not have a primary election, incumbent Republican Dave Rader, 67, will face Melissa Bryce, 42, in November.