2018 Oklahoma elections explained

Election Name:2018 Oklahoma elections
Country:Oklahoma
Type:state
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2016 Oklahoma elections
Previous Year:2016
Election Date:November 6, 2018
Next Election:2020 Oklahoma elections
Next Year:2020

The 2018 general election was held in the U.S. state of Oklahoma on November 6, 2018. All of Oklahoma's executive officers were up for election as well as the state's five seats in the United States House of Representatives, half of the 48 seats in the Oklahoma Senate and all 101 seats in the Oklahoma House, and five offices in each of Oklahoma's 77 counties. Voter turnout was 42.5% of the eligible population, a 12.6% increase over the 2014 midterms but still the third lowest in the nation.[1]

Due to Gary Johnson's results in the 2016 presidential election, the Oklahoma Libertarian Party had ballot status to run candidates in 2018.[2] This was the first time an alternative party has been able to participate in mid-term elections in the state since 1998. Five Independents, led in a loosely coordinated effort by former Oklahoma Democratic Party chair Ivan Holmes, were candidates for statewide executive offices.[3]

The ballot order was determined by random drawing for placement of candidates by party. Results of the drawing on July 12 were that Libertarian candidates would be placed first, Republicans second, and Democrats third.[4] By statute, Independents are always listed after partisan candidates.

State Constitutional Officers

PartiesSeats
20162018+/-Strength
 Republican Partyalign=right 11align=right 11align=right align=right
 Democratic Partyalign=right 0align=right 0align=right align=right

Governor

See main article: 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial election. Incumbent Republican Governor Mary Fallin was term-limited and could not seek a third term.

Lieutenant governor

In Oklahoma, the governor and lieutenant governor are elected separately. Incumbent Republican lieutenant governor Todd Lamb was term-limited and could not seek a third term.

Republican primary

Declared

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Dana
Murphy
Matt
Pinnell
Undecided
Remington (R)August 1–2, 20181,757± 2.3% align=center40%32%28%
Right Strategy Group (R)August 1–2, 2018385± 5.0% align=center30%25% align=center45%

Democratic primary

Declared

Declined

Results

Independent

Declared

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Matt
Pinnell (R)
Anastasia
Pittman (D)
Ivan
Holmes (I)
Undecided
SoonerPollOctober 23–25, 2018447± 4.6% align=center46%32%8%14%
SoonerPollSeptember 5–10, 2018407± 4.9% align=center49%31%5%15%

Results

Attorney general

Election Name:2018 Oklahoma Attorney General election
Country:Oklahoma
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2014 Oklahoma Attorney General election
Previous Year:2014
Next Election:2022 Oklahoma Attorney General election
Next Year:2022
Image1:Michael J. Hunter.jpg
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Nominee1:Mike Hunter
Popular Vote1:750,769
Percentage1:64.0%
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Nominee2:Mark Myles
Popular Vote2:421,699
Percentage2:36.0%
Attorney General
Before Election:Mike Hunter
Before Party:Republican Party (US)
After Election:Mike Hunter
After Party:Republican Party (US)

Incumbent Republican attorney general Scott Pruitt was term-limited and could not run for a third term. Pruitt resigned on February 17, 2017, upon being confirmed as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.[13]

Republican primary

Declared

Nominee

Eliminated in runoff

Eliminated in primary

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Mike
Hunter
Gentner
Drummond
Undecided
Remington (R)August 1–2, 20181,757± 2.3% align=center46%37%17%
SoonerPollJuly 18–20, 2018483± 4.5% align=center39%29%32%
SoonerPollMay 15–23, 2018321 (LV)± 5.47%9.48% align=center25.9%61.2%

Democratic primary

Declared

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Mike
Hunter (R)
Mark
Myles (D)
Undecided
SoonerPollOctober 23–25, 2018447± 4.6% align=center53%33%14%
SoonerPollSeptember 5–10, 2018407± 4.9% align=center52%34%14%

Results

Treasurer

Election Name:2018 Oklahoma treasurer election
Country:Oklahoma
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2014 Oklahoma treasurer election
Previous Year:2014
Election Date:November 6, 2018
Next Election:2022 Oklahoma treasurer election
Next Year:2022
Nominee1:Randy McDaniel
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:779,657
Percentage1:71.6%
Map Size:300px
State Treasurer
Before Election:Ken A. Miller
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Randy McDaniel
After Party:Republican Party (United States)
Nominee2:Charles De Coune
Party2:Independent (United States)
Popular Vote2:309,525
Percentage2:28.4%

Incumbent Republican state treasurer Ken A. Miller was term-limited and could not run for a third term.

Republican primary

Declared

Independent

Declared

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Randy
McDaniel (R)
Charles
de Coune (I)
Undecided
SoonerPollOctober 23–25, 2018447± 4.6% align=center45%29%26%
SoonerPollSeptember 5–10, 2018407± 4.9% align=center42%20%38%

Results

State Auditor and Inspector

Incumbent Republican State Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones was term-limited and could not run for a third term.

Republican primary

Declared

Polling

Libertarian primary

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Cindy
Byrd (R)
John
Yeutter (L)
Undecided
SoonerPollOctober 23–25, 2018447± 4.6% align=center51%22%27%
SoonerPollSeptember 5–10, 2018407± 4.9% align=center56%17%26%

Results

Superintendent of Public Instruction

Republican primary

Declared

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Joy
Hofmeister
Linda
Murphy
Undecided
Remington (R)August 1–2, 20181,757± 2.3% align=center50%33%17%
SoonerPollJuly 18–20, 2018483± 4.5% align=center43%30%27%

Democratic primary

Declared

Independent

Declared

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Joy
Hofmeister (R)
John
Cox (D)
Larry
Huff (I)
Undecided
SoonerPollOctober 23–25, 2018447± 4.6% align=center45%33%11%11%
SoonerPollSeptember 5–10, 2018407± 4.9% align=center51%31%9%9%

Results

Commissioner of Insurance

Incumbent Republican Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak was term-limited and could not run for a third term.

Republican primary

Declared

Results

Democratic primary

Declared

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Glen
Mulready (R)
Kimberly
Fobbs (D)
Undecided
SoonerPollOctober 23–25, 2018447± 4.6% align=center46%33%21%
SoonerPollSeptember 5–10, 2018407± 4.9% align=center42%33%25%

Results

Commissioner of Labor

Republican labor commissioner Mark Costello, who was re-elected to a second term in 2014, was fatally stabbed on August 23, 2015.[29] Attorney General Scott Pruitt's chief of staff Melissa Houston was appointed to serve for the remainder of the term, but pledged that she would not run for election in 2018.[30]

Republican primary

Declared

Declined

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Cathy
Costello
Leslie
Osborn
Undecided
Remington (R)August 1–2, 20181,757± 2.3% align=center40%32%28%
SoonerPollJuly 18–20, 2018483± 4.5% align=center32%22% align=center46%

Democratic primary

Declared

Results

Independent

Declared

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Leslie
Osborn (R)
Fred
Dorrell (D)
Brandt
Dismukes (I)
Undecided
SoonerPollOctober 23–25, 2018447± 4.6% align=center46%28%9%17%
SoonerPollSeptember 5–10, 2018407± 4.9% align=center49%26%6%19%

Results

Corporation commissioner

One of the three seats on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission was up for election. Incumbent Republican commissioner Bob Anthony, the chairman of the commission, ran for re-election to a sixth six-year term in office.

Republican primary

Declared

Polling

Democratic primary

Declared

Primary Runoff Results

Independent

Declared

General election

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Bob
Anthony (R)
Ashley Nicole
McCray (D)
Jackie
Short (I)
Undecided
SoonerPollOctober 23–25, 2018447± 4.6% align=center51%30%8%12%
SoonerPollSeptember 5–10, 2018407± 4.9% align=center48%30%9%15%

Results

Congress

United States House of Representatives

See main article: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma's five seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 2018.

PartiesSeats
20162018+/-Strength
 Republican Partyalign=right 5align=right 4align=right 1align=right
 Democratic Partyalign=right 0align=right 1align=right 1align=right

State legislature

The 2018 state legislative elections saw a record 8 Republican incumbents lose their primaries.[40]

Senate

PartiesSeats
20162018+/-Strength
 Republican Partyalign=right 42align=right 38align=right 3align=right 39
 Democratic Partyalign=right 6align=right 8align=right 3align=right 9

House of Representatives

PartiesSeats
20162018+/-Strength
 Republican Partyalign=right 75align=right 76align=right 1align=right
 Democratic Partyalign=right 26align=right 25 align=right 1align=right

State questions

State questions are ballot propositions to proposed either a legislative measure or an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution. State questions are filed with the Oklahoma Secretary of State by either order of the legislature (termed a "legislative referendum") or directly by the people of Oklahoma (termed an "initiative petition").[41] The secretary of state assigns a number to the state question and notifies the State Election Board of the propositions submission. The governor, by executive proclamation, sets the election date for submission of the state questions to the people.

State Question 788

See main article: 2018 Oklahoma State Question 788.

Oklahoma State Question 788 was an initiative petition which sought to legalize the licensed use, sale, and growth of marijuana in Oklahoma for medical purposes.[42]

State Question 793

Oklahoma State Question 793 was an initiative petition which sought to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to allow optometrists to practice within a mercantile establishment.[43]

State Question 794

Oklahoma State Question 794 was a legislative referendum which sought to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to expand the rights of victims of crime.[44]

State Question 798

Oklahoma State Question 798 was a legislative referendum which sought to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to provide that the governor and lieutenant governor be jointly elected.[45]

State Question 800

Oklahoma State Question 800 was a legislative referendum which sought to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to create a new trust fund consisting of a portion of all taxes collected against the extraction of oil and gas resources.[46]

State Question 801

Oklahoma State Question 801 was a legislative referendum which sought to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to allow voters within a local school district to expand the permissible use of property taxes to include school operations rather than just for school buildings.[47]

External links

Official Lieutenant Governor campaign websites
Official Attorney General campaign websites
Official State Treasurer campaign websites
Official State Auditor and Inspector campaign websites
Official Superintendent of Public Instruction campaign websites
Official Commissioner of Insurance campaign websites
Official Commissioner of Labor campaign websites
Official Corporation Commissioner campaign websites

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Archived copy . 2019-03-18 . 2019-03-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190320222141/https://www.nonprofitvote.org/documents/2019/03/america-goes-polls-2018.pdf/ . dead .
  2. Web site: Libertarian Party makes historic strides in Oklahoma, U.S. elections. 11 November 2016. reddirtreport.com. 16 February 2017. 11 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170811005622/http://www.reddirtreport.com/election-central/libertarian-party-makes-historic-strides-oklahoma-us-elections. live.
  3. Web site: State office independents running as a team on open government. 2 September 2018. 21 December 2018. 17 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190117134245/https://newsok.com/article/5606704/state-office-independents-running-as-a-team-on-open-government. live.
  4. Web site: Oklahoma Ballot Order Lottery puts Libertarian Party on Top Line in November 2018 Election | Ballot Access News. 2018-07-18. 2018-07-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20180718234511/http://ballot-access.org/2018/07/15/oklahoma-ballot-order-lottery-puts-libertarian-party-on-top-line-in-november-2018-election/. live.
  5. Web site: Eddie Fields – for Lieutenant Governor. electeddiefields.com. 2018-05-26. 2018-06-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20180604074031/http://electeddiefields.com/. live.
  6. Web site: A building BLOCK for Oklahoma, a building BLOCK for the future!. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20180615073553/http://block4okltgov.com/. Jun 15, 2018. block4okltgov.com.
  7. Web site: Dana Murphy for Lieutenant Governor. www.danamurphy.com. 2018-05-26. 2018-06-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140527/https://www.danamurphy.com/. live.
  8. Web site: Matt Pinnell For Lt. Governor. Matt Pinnell for Lieutenant Governor. October 2021. 2018-05-26. 2018-05-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20180527204648/https://mattpinnell.com/meet-matt/. live.
  9. Web site: Anastasia Pittman - Ballotpedia. ballotpedia.org. 2018-05-26. 2018-11-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20181107173643/https://ballotpedia.org/Anastasia_Pittman. live.
  10. Web site: Anna Dearmore - Ballotpedia. ballotpedia.org. 2018-05-26. 2018-11-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20181108010425/https://ballotpedia.org/Anna_Dearmore. live.
  11. Web site: McPeak considers running for lieutenant governor. D.E.. Smoot. muskogeephoenix.com. 2016-10-31. 2017-05-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20170510155059/http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/news/mcpeak-considers-running-for-lieutenant-governor/article_5f850ac7-212d-5e81-91f4-cd6470b4f814.html. live.
  12. Web site: Candidate Filings, 2018. www.ok.gov. 2018-05-26. 2020-11-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20201125230443/https://www.ok.gov/elections/support/ok_filing_2018.html#GOV. live.
  13. News: Chakraborty . Barnini . Pruitt narrowly confirmed to head EPA over Democratic objections . 22 July 2022 . Fox News . 17 February 2017.
  14. Web site: Home - Mike Hunter. Mike Hunter. 2018-05-27. 2018-05-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20180527123914/https://mikehunterok.com/. live.
  15. Web site: Gentner Drummond Throws Hat In For OK Attorney General. 11 April 2018. theokie.com. 27 May 2018. 27 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180527120757/http://www.theokie.com/gentner-drummond-throws-hat-in-for-ok-attorney-general/. live.
  16. Web site: Angela Bonilla for Attorney General. Angela Bonilla for Attorney General. 2018-05-27. 2018-05-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20180527201413/http://angelabonillaforattorneygeneral.com/. live.
  17. Web site: News 9 Poll Offers Early Look At Front-Runners in AG, Lt. Gov Races. Ryan. Welton. news9.com. 2018-05-27. 2018-05-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20180527040829/http://www.news9.com/story/38256085/news-9-poll-offers-early-look-at-front-runners-in-ag-lt-gov-races. live.
  18. Web site: State Rep. Randy McDaniel announces for state treasurer . James Coburn - The Edmond Sun . edmondsun.com . 2017-08-04 . 2017-07-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170712171125/http://www.edmondsun.com/news/state-rep-randy-mcdaniel-announces-for-state-treasurer/article_ef5a448c-6663-11e7-930d-8f4b98b245de.html . live .
  19. Web site: Charles de Coune for Oklahoma State Treasurer. www.facebook.com. 2018-05-27. 2022-02-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20220214220245/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FCharles4OK%2F%3Fhc_ref%3DARSgI938VX7KOqJpQEHWS046Jo641PotD8WiWj65wtaxGr7265JjwOOJ5JZRrS6eSRY. live.
  20. Web site: Cindy Byrd for State Auditor. Cindy Byrd for State Auditor. 2018-05-27. 2018-05-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20180527201408/https://www.cindybyrd.com/. live.
  21. Web site: About Charlie - Charlie Prater. charlieforauditor.com. 2018-05-27. 2018-05-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20180527201530/http://charlieforauditor.com/about-charlie/. live.
  22. Web site: John Yeutter for Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector. John Yeutter for Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector. 2018-02-21. 2018-02-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20180222043829/http://yeutter4ok.com/. live.
  23. Web site: Vote Linda Murphy for State Superintendent - Vote Linda Murphy State Superintendent. Vote Linda Murphy State Superintendent. 2018-05-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20180527201334/https://votelindamurphy.com/. 2018-05-27. dead.
  24. Web site: Superintendent race shaping up to be repeat of 2014. 14 January 2018. newsok.com. 27 May 2018. 29 April 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180429100953/http://newsok.com/article/5579268/superintendent-race-shaping-up-to-be-repeat-of-2014. live.
  25. Web site: Surprise Candidates Challenge Hofmeister in Superintendent's Race. oklahomawatch.org. 19 April 2018. 27 May 2018. 27 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180527121756/http://oklahomawatch.org/2018/04/19/surprise-candidates-challenge-hofmeister-in-superintendents-race/. live.
  26. Web site: Donald Chasteen 2018 for Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner. Donald Chasteen 2018 for Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner. 2018-05-27. 2018-05-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20180527201458/https://donaldchasteen2018.com/. live.
  27. Web site: Mulready. glenmulready.com. 2018-05-27. 2018-05-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20180527120738/https://www.glenmulready.com/. live.
  28. Web site: Meet Kimberly - Kimberly Fobbs for Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner. kimberlyfobbs.com. 2018-05-27. 2018-06-12. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612155805/https://kimberlyfobbs.com/meet-kimberly/. live.
  29. Web site: Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Mark Costello fatally stabbed by son, police say. CNN. Holly Yan and Amanda Watts. August 24, 2015. August 24, 2015. August 24, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150824075357/http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/24/us/oklahoma-labor-commissioner/index.html. live.
  30. Web site: Melissa McLawhorn Houston Appointed Oklahoma Labor Commissioner. News on 6 Tulsa. November 10, 2015. September 6, 2016. September 11, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160911180812/http://www.newson6.com/story/30483540/governor-appoints-melissa-mclawhorn-houston-as-oklahomas-labor-commissioner. live.
  31. Web site: Editorial: Cathy Costello for Labor Comm.. Tulsa Beacon. 2018-05-27. 2018-05-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20180528052217/http://tulsabeacon.com/cathy-costello-for-labor-comm/. live.
  32. Web site: Leslie Osborn for Labor Commissioner. www.facebook.com. 2018-05-27. 2019-08-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20190810100721/https://www.facebook.com/ImWithLeslie. live.
  33. Web site: Labor Omnia Vincit: A Republican labor commissioner candidate debate. Amy. Stinnett. 15 May 2018. nondoc.com. 27 May 2018. 28 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180528133644/https://nondoc.com/2018/05/15/labor-commissioner-debate-announcement/. live.
  34. Web site: Plenty to do as Houston enters final session as OK labor commissioner . Caleb Slinkard . normantranscript.com . 2018-05-27 . 2018-02-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180219075602/http://www.normantranscript.com/news/government/plenty-to-do-as-houston-enters-final-session-as-ok/article_2b7ab3d8-32da-5185-aa4b-a8c28b41c412.html . live .
  35. Web site: Oklahoma Labor Commissioner 2018 - United States - VoteDorrell HOME. Oklahoma Labor Commissioner 2018 - United States - VoteDorrell HOME. 2018-05-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20180528052559/https://www.freddorrell.com/meet-fred. 2018-05-28. dead.
  36. Web site: Sam A Mis-soum. www.facebook.com. 2018-05-27. 2021-06-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20210609160048/https://www.facebook.com/OklahomaCommissionerOfLabor. live.
  37. Web site: Crowded fields in many races. Nathan. Thompson. examiner-enterprise.com. 2018-05-27. 2018-05-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20180528053843/http://www.examiner-enterprise.com/news/20180417/crowded-fields-in-many-races. live.
  38. Web site: Taking issue: Democrats run for corporation commission have no shortage of things to talk about . 2018-06-10 . 2018-12-21 . 2018-06-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612231605/https://newsok.com/article/5597492/taking-issue-democrats-run-for-corporation-commission-have-no-shortage-of-things-to-talk-about . live .
  39. Web site: Jackie Short, lawyer and citizen, runs as an Independent for Corporation Commissioner. 2018-12-21. 2018-12-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20181221230542/http://city-sentinel.com/2018/09/jackie-short-lawyer-and-citizen-runs-as-an-independent-for-corporation-commissioner/. live.
  40. News: Krehbiel . Randy . Political notebook: Dark money group agrees to $45,000 in fines and fees . 21 May 2023 . . May 13, 2023.
  41. Web site: Outline of the Oklahoma Initiative and Referendum Petition Process. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20100528103708/https://www.sos.ok.gov/gov/petition_process.aspx . 2010-05-28 . 2021-01-17. Oklahoma Secretary of State.
  42. Web site: Search State Questions - 788. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20100528083328/https://www.sos.ok.gov/gov/questions.aspx . 2010-05-28 . 2020-01-17. Oklahoma Secretary of State.
  43. Web site: Search State Questions - 793. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20100528083328/https://www.sos.ok.gov/gov/questions.aspx . 2010-05-28 . 2020-01-17. Oklahoma Secretary of State.
  44. Web site: Search State Questions - 794. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20100528083328/https://www.sos.ok.gov/gov/questions.aspx . 2010-05-28 . 2020-01-17. Oklahoma Secretary of State.
  45. Web site: Search State Questions - 798. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20100528083328/https://www.sos.ok.gov/gov/questions.aspx . 2010-05-28 . Oklahoma Secretary of State.
  46. Web site: Search State Questions - 800. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20100528083328/https://www.sos.ok.gov/gov/questions.aspx . 2010-05-28 . 2020-01-17. Oklahoma Secretary of State.
  47. Web site: Search State Questions - 801. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20100528083328/https://www.sos.ok.gov/gov/questions.aspx . 2010-05-28 . 2020-01-17. Oklahoma Secretary of State.