Special Election: Nunley advances in HD75, Taylor holds HD28 for GOP

Results are in from today's special elections in HD28 and HD75, and it's good news for the GOP for once.

Republican Zack Taylor won the special election in HD28 to replace former Rep. Tom Newell, who resigned in early December to take a new job. Taylor received 50.48% of the vote, holding the seat for the Republican Party.

In HD75, Republican Tressa Nunley easily dispatched her three primary opponents, receiving 64.08% of the vote, and will face Democrat Karen Gaddis in the July 11th general election. This seat became vacant with the February resignation of former Rep. Dan Kirby, who left under a cloud of possible sexual harassment.

Taylor's victory in HD28 breaks a streak of GOP losses in special elections dating back to April 30th, 2015, when Democrat Kevin Matthews won the SD11 special election (no Republican filed). After that, Democrats won special elections in HD73 (no Republican filed), and rather unexpectedly HD85 and SD34.

Special Election Candidates in HD28 and HD75

With the resignations of Republican State Reps. Tom Newell (for a new job opportunity) and Dan Kirby (to avoid expulsion for behavior unbecoming of a legislator), special elections have been called for both seats, and candidate filing has closed.

HD28 Special Election

The winner-take-all primary is on Tuesday, March 7th. The Republican and Democratic victors will face the Libertarian candidate in the general election on May 9th. View a district map here.

• Steve Barnes (D-Wewoka). Raised $5650, spent $4729, $1521 on-hand as of 2/22.
• Billy Choate (R-Seminole). No finance reports filed.
• Yasminda Choate (D-Saskawa). Raised $5580, spent $4167, $1413 on-hand as of 2/28.
• Blake Cummings (D-Maud). Raised $6579 ($5000 loan), spent $5209, $1370 on-hand as of 2/23.
• Jason Leonard (D-Seminole). No finance reports filed.
• Mike Matlock (R-Prague). Raised $30598 ($20087 loan), spent $10276, $20321 on-hand as of 2/27.
• Daniel Matthews (R-Meeker). Raised $12135, spent $8051, $3834 on-hand as of 2/27. Supported by OCPAC and the State Chamber (ironically enough!).
• Cody Presley (L-Wewoka). No finance reports filed.
• Marilyn Rainwater (D-Seminole). Raised $3672, spent $310, $3363 on-hand as of 2/27. HD28 Democratic nominee in 2012 (37.2%), SD28 in 2014 (28.3%), and HD28 in 2016 (33.18%).
• Zack Taylor (R-Seminole) raised  $42814, spent $27543, $14771 on-hand as of 2/27. Supported by ex-Rep. Tom Newell and former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn.

HD75 Special Election

The winner-take-all primary is on May 9th. The Republican and Democratic victors will face each other in the general election on July 11th. Filing for this race ended yesterday, so there's not much information out there on these candidates yet. View a district map here.

• Nik Berg (R-Broken Arrow) - age 21.
• Karen Gaddis (D-Tulsa) - age 67. Democratic nominee in 2016, got 40.44% of the general election vote.
• Tressa Nunley (R-Tulsa) - age 49. Supported by State Rep. George Faught.
• AJ Oatsvall (R-Tulsa) - age 32.
• Jamie Smith (D-Broken Arrow - age 29.
• Skip Steele (R-Tulsa) - age 67. City councilman from 2011-2014, defeated in 2014, lost re-match in 2016.