2022 Oklahoma Senate election explained

Election Name:	2022 Oklahoma Senate election
Country:	Oklahoma
Type:	legislative
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2020 Oklahoma Senate election
Previous Year:	2020
Next Election:	2024 Oklahoma Senate election
Next Year:	2024
Seats For Election:	24 seats from the Oklahoma Senate
Majority Seats:	25
Image1:	File:Greg Treat 2019.jpg
Leader1:	Greg Treat
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Leaders Seat1:	47-Oklahoma City
Seats Before1:	39
Seats After1:	40
Seat Change1:	1
Popular Vote1:	99,108
Percentage1:	60.95%
Leader2:	Kay Floyd
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Leaders Seat2:	46-Oklahoma City
Seats Before2:	9
Seats After2:	8
Seats Needed2:	16
Seat Change2:	1
Popular Vote2:	63,501
Percentage2:	39.05%
Map Size:	350px
President Pro Temp
Before Election:	Greg Treat
Before Party:	Republican Party (US)
After Election:	Greg Treat
After Party:	Republican Party (US)

The 2022 Oklahoma Senate general election were held on November 8, 2022. The primary elections for the Republican, Democratic, and Libertarian parties' nominations took place on June 28, 2022. Runoff primary elections, if no candidate received 50% in the June 28 vote, took place on August 23. All candidates had to file between the days of April 13–15, 2022.^[1] Oklahoma voters elected state senators in 24 of the state's 48 Senate districts. State senators served four-year terms in the Oklahoma Senate.

The 2022 election cycle was the first election following redistricting. Redistricting in Oklahoma was postponed to a special legislative session, because of the 2020 United States census data's release being delayed.^[2] New state senate districts were signed into law based on data from the 2020 United States census on November 22, 2021.^[3]

Results summary

The 2022 election results were compared below to the November 2020 election. The results summary below does not include blank and over/under votes which were included in the official results.

Seats

Parties			Total
Democratic	Republican
Last election (2020)			9		39	48
Before this election			9		39	48
Not up
Class 2 (2020→2024)	2		22	24
General elections
Incumbent retiring	0		6	6
Incumbent running	7		11	18

Partisan comparison

Before the election

↓

9	39
Democratic	Republican

Parties		Seats				Popular vote
		2020	2022	+/−	Strength	Vote	%	Change
	Republican Party	align=right	39	align=right	40	align=right	1	align=right	83.33%	align=right	99,108	align=right	60.95%	align=right	-5.24%
	Democratic Party	align=right	9	align=right	8	align=right	1	align=right	16.67%	align=right	63,501	align=right	39.05%	align=right	+7.03%
Totals		48	48		100.0%	162,609	100.0%	—
Source:

After the election

↓

8	40
Democratic	Republican

Retirements

Republicans

Retiring

1. District 12: James Leewright retired.
2. District 28: Zack Taylor retired.

Term Limited

1. District 2: Marty Quinn retired due to term limits and to run for U. S. representative in Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district.^[4]
2. District 4: Mark Allen retired due to term limits.^[5]
3. District 14: Frank Simpson retired due to term limits.^[6]
4. District 18: Kim David retired due to term limits and to run for corporation commissioner.^[7]

New members

Incumbents defeated

1. District 22: Jake A. Merrick lost renomination to Kristen Thompson, who won the general election.^[8]
2. District 34: J.J. Dossett lost the general election to Dana Prieto.^[9]

Open seats

1. District 2: Ally Seifried (Republican)
2. District 4: Tom Woods (Republican)
3. District 12: Todd Gollihare (Republican)
4. District 14: Jerry Alvord (Republican)
5. District 18: Jack Stewart (Republican)
6. District 28: Grant Green (Republican)

Uncontested races

9 Senators were the only candidate to file in their district.^[10]

The following Senators were re-elected without opposition:

• District 6: David Bullard (Republican)
• District 8: Roger Thompson (Republican)
• District 16: Mary B. Boren (Democratic)
• District 20: Chuck Hall (Republican)
• District 24: Darrell Weaver (Republican)
• District 38: Brent Howard (Republican)
• District 44: Michael Brooks-Jimenez (Democratic)
• District 46: Kay Floyd (Democratic)

The following Senators were elected for the first time without opposition:

• District 14: Jerry Alvord (Republican)

Summary of elections

General election results will be listed for districts with general elections.^[12] Runoff results will be listed for districts where a runoff determined the winner of the district.^[13] Primary election results are listed for districts where a primary determined the winner of the district.^[14] Districts with one candidate and no results were uncontested.

District	Incumbent				Candidates^[15]
Location	Member	Party	First elected	Status
2	Marty Quinn		Rep	2014		Incumbent term limited and running for Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district New member elected Republican hold	nowrap
4	Mark Allen		Rep	2010		Incumbent term limited New member elected Republican hold	nowrap
6	David Bullard		Rep	2018	Incumbent re-elected without opposition	nowrap
8	Roger Thompson		Rep	2014	Incumbent re-elected without opposition	nowrap
10	Bill Coleman		Rep	2018	Incumbent re-elected	nowrap
12	James Leewright		Rep	2015		Incumbent retiring^[16] New member elected Republican hold	nowrap
14	Frank Simpson		Rep	2010		Incumbent term limited New member elected without opposition Republican hold	nowrap
16	Mary B. Boren		Dem	2018	Incumbent re-elected without opposition	nowrap
18	Kim David		Rep	2010		Incumbent term limited and running for Corporate Commissioner New member elected Republican hold	nowrap
20	Chuck Hall		Rep	2018	Incumbent re-elected without opposition	nowrap
22	Jake A. Merrick		Rep	2021		Incumbent lost renomination New member elected Republican hold	nowrap
24	Darrell Weaver		Rep	2018	Incumbent re-elected without opposition	nowrap
26	Darcy Jech		Rep	2014	Incumbent re-elected	nowrap
28	Zack Taylor		Rep	2020		Incumbent retiring^[17] New member elected Republican hold	nowrap
30	Julia Kirt		Dem	2018	Incumbent re-elected	nowrap
32	John Montgomery		Rep	2018	Incumbent re-elected	nowrap
34	J. J. Dossett		Dem	2016		Incumbent defeated New member elected Republican gain	nowrap
36	John Haste		Rep	2018	Incumbent re-elected	nowrap
38	Brent Howard		Rep	2018	Incumbent re-elected without opposition	nowrap
40	Carri Hicks		Dem	2018	Incumbent re-elected	nowrap
42	Brenda Stanley		Rep	2018	Incumbent re-elected	nowrap
44	Michael Brooks-Jimenez		Dem	2017	Incumbent re-elected without opposition	nowrap
46	Kay Floyd		Dem	2014	Incumbent re-elected without opposition	nowrap
48	George E. Young		Dem	2018	Incumbent re-elected	nowrap

Race by district

District 2

Incumbent Republican Marty Quinn was term-limited.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Ally Seifried, account manager for Müllerhaus Legacy, former executive assistant to Oklahoma State Senator Dan Newberry (2016-2017), and former Rogers State University basketball player

Eliminated in runoff

• Jarrin Jackson, ammo company owner, retired U.S. Army soldier, and candidate for Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district in 2016 and 2018^[18]

Eliminated in primary

• Keith Austin, Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor for the 14th District
• Coy Jenkins, Rogers County Sheriff's Office Major, former Tulsa Police Department officer, and former chief of the Oklahoma City University Police Department^[19]

=Primary

=

=Runoff

=

Republican runoff results
Party		Candidates	Votes	%
	Republican Party	Ally Seifried	5,191	53.89%
	Republican Party	Jarrin Jackson	4,442	46.11%
Total Votes			9,633	100%

General election

Candidates

• Jennifer Esau (Democratic)^[20]
• Ally Seifried (Republican)

Results

District 4

Incumbent Republican Mark Allen was term-limited in 2022. Since no non-Republican candidates filed for the race, the August 23rd primary runoff determined the next senator from the district.^[21]

Republican primary

Since the Republican Party holds closed primaries, only registered Republican voters may vote in the primary.

Candidates

Nominee

• Tom Woods, dairy farmer, feed store owner, and trucking company owner

Eliminated in runoff

• Keith Barenberg, retired Oklahoma state trooper and former Oklahoma Highway Patrol Liaison to the Oklahoma Legislature (2016).

Eliminated in primary

• Hoguen Apperson, rancher, operator of Circle R Land and Cattle, and employee of AST Storage
• Tom Callan, owner of Zena Suri Alpaca Ranch and adjunct professor of American government at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College

Declared, but failed to file

• Ernie Martens, Mayor of Sallisaw, Oklahoma^[22]

=Primary

=

=Runoff

=

District 10

Republican primary

Since the Republican Party holds closed primaries, only registered Republican voters may vote in the primary. Incumbent Bill Coleman defeated primary challenger Emily DeLozier.^[23]

Candidates

Nominee

• Bill Coleman, incumbent

Eliminated in primary

• Emily DeLozier

Results

District 12

Incumbent James Leewright was retiring in 2022. Since no non-Republican candidates filed for the race, the June 28th Republican primary determined the next senator from the district.^[24] Todd Gollihare won the Republican primary for the open seat defeating Rob Ford.

Republican primary

Since the Republican Party holds closed primaries, only registered Republican voters may vote in the primary.^[25]

Candidates

Nominee

• Todd Gollihare, retired U.S. Marine Corps veteran, retired chief probation officer for the Northern District of Oklahoma, and Kellyville High School teacher and former Kellyville school board member^[26]

Eliminated in primary

• Rob Ford, trustee and treasurer for Mounds, Oklahoma (2017-2020), chairman of the Creek County Republican Party, and nephew of State Representative Ross Ford

Results

District 18

Incumbent Kim David was term-limited in 2022 and running for corporate commissioner. In 2022 redistricting, the 18th District was moved from southeast Tulsa, most of Wagoner County, and parts of Cherokee, Mayes, Muskogee and Tulsa counties to being centered around Yukon, Oklahoma in west Oklahoma County and east Canadian County.^[27]

Since no non-Republican candidates filed for the race, the June 28th Republican primary determined the next senator from the district. Jack Stewart defeated Hunter Zearley in the Republican primary for the open seat.

Republican primary

Since the Republican Party holds closed primaries, only registered Republican voters may vote in the primary.

Candidates

Nominee

• Jack Stewart, Canadian County Commissioner (2010-2022) and former Oklahoma Department of Transportation employee

Eliminated in primary

• Hunter Zearley, appointments and leadership assistant for Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall

Results

District 22

Republican primary

First-term incumbent Jake A. Merrick, who was elected in a special election, was defeated by primary challenger Kristen Thompson in the June Republican primary.

Candidates

Nominee

• Kristen Thompson, business owner

Eliminated in primary

• Jake A. Merrick, incumbent^[28]

Withdrew

• John Williams^{[29] [30]}

Results

General election

Candidates

• Blake Aguirre (Democratic)
• Kristen Thompson (Republican)

Results

District 26

Since no non-Republican candidates filed for the race, the August 23rd primary runoff determined the next senator from the district.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Darcy Jech, incumbent, small business owner, and cattle rancher

Eliminated in runoff

• Brady Butler, president and owner of Struck Rock Oil and Gas

Eliminated in primary

• J.J. Stitt, distant cousin of Kevin Stitt

=Primary

=

=Runoff

=

District 28

Incumbent senator Zack Taylor retired and did not seek reelection in 2022.^[31]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Grant Green, farmer, rancher, and former owner of Green Propane

Eliminated in runoff

• Jeff McCommas, construction company and ranch owner

Eliminated in primary

• Jamey Mullin, plumber, vice president of the Board of Directors of the Edmond Chamber of Commerce, and brother of Markwayne Mullin
• Robert Trimble, veteran of Texas National Guard and United States Army and furniture store owner

Withdrew

• Bob Donohoo (filed for the Republican primary, but withdrew from the race)

=Primary

=

=Runoff

=

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Karen Rackley, nurse practitioner

Eliminated in primary

• Tony Wilson, owner and operator of Tone's United Nation Pizza food truck

Results

General election

Candidates

• Grant Green, farmer, rancher, and former owner of Green Propane (Republican)
• Karen Rackley, nurse practitioner (Democratic)

Results

District 30

General election

Candidates

• Lori Callahan (Republican)
• Julia Kirt, incumbent (Democratic)

Endorsements

District 32

General election

Candidates

• Johnny Jernigan (Democratic)
• John Montgomery, incumbent (Republican)

District 34

Republican primary

Nominee

• Dana Prieto

Eliminated in primary

• Bradley Peixotto

Withdrew

• Amy Cook (filed for the Republican primary but withdrew from the race)

Republican primary
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican Party	Dana Prieto	2,809	57.81%
	Republican Party	Bradley Peixotto	2,050	42.19%
Total Votes			4,859	100%

General election

Candidates

• Dana Prieto (Republican)
• J. J. Dossett, incumbent state senator (Democrat)

Results

District 36

Republican primary

Candidates

• David Dambroso, candidate for state senate in 2018
• John Haste, incumbent^[32]

Endorsements

Republican primary
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican Party	John Haste	3,799	58.90%
	Republican Party	David Dambroso	2,651	41.10%
Total Votes			6,450	100%

District 40

Republican primary

Candidates

• Mariam Daly
• Nadine Smith

Endorsements

Republican primary
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican Party	Mariam Daly	4,295	68.36%
	Republican Party	Nadine Smith	1,988	31.64%
Total Votes			6,283	100%

General election

Candidates

• Mariam Daly
• Carri Hicks, incumbent (Democratic)

Endorsements

General Election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic Party	Carri Hicks	16,602	56.86%
	Republican Party	Mariam Daly	12,595	43.14%
Total Votes			29,197	100%

District 42

Republican primary

Candidates

• Brenda Stanley, incumbent
• Christopher Toney

Endorsements

Republican primary
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican Party	Brenda Stanley	3,918	53.43%
	Republican Party	Christopher Toney	3,415	46.57%
Total Votes			7,333	100%

District 48

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Rico Trayvon Smith, community activist and candle company owner^[33]
• George E. Young, incumbent

Democratic primary
Party			Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic Party	George E. Young	5,887	73.88%
	Democratic Party	Rico Trayvon Smith	2,081	26.12%
Total Votes				7,968	100%

See also

• 2022 United States elections
• 2022 Oklahoma House of Representatives election
• 2022 Oklahoma gubernatorial election
• List of Oklahoma state legislatures

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2022 Statutory Election Dates and Deadlines . oklahoma.gov . Oklahoma State Election Board . 13 October 2021.
2. Web site: Savage . Tres . Special session 'the only option we have' on redistricting . Nondoc . April 2021 . NonDoc Media . 2 April 2021.
3. Web site: Governor Kevin Stitt Signs Six Redistricting Bills into Law . oklahoma.gov . Office of Governor J. Kevin Stitt . 28 December 2021 . 23 November 2021.
4. Web site: Senator Marty Quinn . oksenate.gov . Oklahoma Senate . 5 April 2021.
5. Web site: Senator Mark Allen . oksenate.gov . Oklahoma Senate . 5 April 2021.
6. Web site: Senator Frank Simpson . oksenate.gov . Oklahoma Senate . 5 April 2021.
7. Web site: Senator Kim David . oksenate.gov . Oklahoma Senate . 5 April 2021.
8. News: Forman . Carmen . Yukon state senator Jake Merrick, 2 other Oklahoma GOP lawmakers lose primary elections . 29 June 2022 . The Oklahoman . 29 June 2022.
9. News: Killman . Curtis . Dana Prieto upsets J.J. Dossett in area state legislative election; open seats split between Republicans, Democrats . 10 November 2022 . . 8 November 2022.
10. News: Forman . Carmen . Who is and isn't running for the Oklahoma Legislature in 2022? What you should know . 17 April 2022 . The Oklahoman . 17 April 2022.
11. Web site: Jacobson. Louis. The Battle for State Legislatures. May 19, 2022. May 19, 2022.
12. Web site: November 8 2022 Oklahoma Official Results . results.okelections.us . . 9 November 2022.
13. Web site: August 23 2022 Official Results . results.okelections.us . . 10 November 2022.
14. Web site: June 28 2022 Official Results . okelections.us . Oklahoma State Election Board . 29 June 2022.
15. Web site: CANDIDATES FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE 2022 . oklahoma.gov . Oklahoma State Election Board . 16 April 2022 . 23 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220523031757/https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/elections/candidate-filing-archives/2022-candidate-filing-archives/2022listbook.pdf . dead .
16. News: Hoberock . Barbara . State Sen. James Leewright won't seek another term . 7 April 2022 . Tulsa World . 7 April 2022.
17. News: Faught . Jamison . GOP State Sen. Zack Taylor announces he will not seek reelection . 6 April 2022 . Muskogee Politico . 6 April 2022.
18. News: Staten . Adam . GOP Candidate Jarrin Jackson Shoots Mock Dominion Voting Machine in Video . 29 March 2022 . Newsweek . 28 March 2022.
19. News: Weeks . Chelsea . Jenkins announces candidacy for OK Senate . 19 October 2021 . The Claremore Daily Progress . 5 May 2021.
20. News: Brinkman . Bennett . Senate District 2 GOP primary: Guns, abortion and 'godless commies' . 31 May 2022 . NonDoc . 31 May 2022.
21. News: Brinkman . Bennett . Rural affairs on display in open Senate District 4 race . 3 June 2022 . NonDoc . 3 June 2022.
22. News: McCarville . Mike . Martens Declares for State Senate District 4 Race . 2 July 2021 . The McCarville Report . 23 June 2021.
23. News: Hancock . Andrea . Brinkman . Bennett . Savage . Tres . In Legislature, 3 incumbents out, 10 races go to runoffs . 4 July 2022 . NonDoc . 30 June 2022.
24. News: Brinkman . Bennett . GOP primary to decide Sapulpa area's Senate District 12 . 10 June 2022 . NonDoc . 10 June 2022.
25. News: Independents again may vote in Oklahoma Democratic primary . 10 June 2022 . AP News . 4 December 2021.
26. News: Hoberock . Barbara . Winner in GOP primary will take Creek County state Senate post . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 16 June 2022.
27. News: Brinkman . Bennett . A clash of generations in SD 18 Republican Primary . 20 June 2022 . NonDoc . 20 June 2022.
28. News: Forman . Carmen . Yukon state Sen. Jake Merrick faces tough reelection bid against political newcomer . 26 June 2022 . The Oklahoman . 25 June 2022.
29. News: Krehbiel . Randy . Former EPA chief, Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt resurfaces, files for U.S. Senate . 16 April 2022 . Tulsa World . 16 April 2022.
30. News: 2022 CANDIDATES FOR STATE AND FEDERAL ELECTIVE OFFICE NAMES WITHDRAWN FROM LIST OF CANDIDATES . 19 April 2022 . Oklahoma State Election Board . 19 April 2022.
31. News: Brinkman . Bennett . Urban meets rural in Senate District 28 primaries . 10 June 2022 . NonDoc . 9 June 2022.
32. News: Hoberock . Barbara . Primary to determine Broken Arrow's Senate District 36 seat, with one challenger to incumbent . 26 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 24 June 2022.
33. News: Felder . Ben . Young faces challenger in NE OKC primary . 26 June 2022 . The Oklahoman . 25 June 2022.