OKLAHOMA, USA — With the Oklahoma June primary election almost a month away, it's important to know who will be on your ballot.
As primaries decide on a party nominee — aside from nonpartisan races — it is important to note that Oklahoma has a closed primary system, meaning if you are registered in a certain party, you may only participate in that party's primary.
For voters in Sequoyah and LeFlore counties, only Republican candidates will be up for appointment in June.
From one statewide Republican nomination to local races, here's all you need to know about what candidates are running.
Corporation Commissioner
After six terms as the chairman of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission and holding the title of longest-serving utility commissioner in the United States, Commissioner Bob Anthony will complete his final term this year.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission is a state agency comprised of three commissioners whose purpose is to focus on regulations within:
- Fuel, oil and gas
- Public utilities
- Transportation industries
One commissioner position is now up for a new round of candidates this election year.
Although there is one candidate in both the Democratic and Libertarian parties, there will only be a Republican primary election in June.
This primary's Republican candidates include Brian Bingman, Russell Ray, and Justin Hornback.
Brian Bingman
Bingman previously served as a state representative, state senator, president pro tempore of the state Senate, and secretary of state and Native American affairs.
According to his website, he has been endorsed by Gov. Kevin Stitt, who appointed Bingman to secretary of state in 2020 after Michael Rogers Jr. resigned.
Bingman campaigned to replace Anthony as corporation commissioner in 2018. The two candidates went to a runoff, but Anthony was eventually elected with 53.6% of the vote.
Russell Ray
Ray, the director of communications and marketing at the Oklahoma Department of Career Technology Education, announced his candidacy for corporation commissioner in April.
He previously worked as a journalist with a focus on energy and engineering and was the chairman of POWER-GEN International for 9 years. He describes himself as an "energy industry thought leader."
"Ray has 20 years of experience evaluating energy policy, pricing, and technology. Ray wants to use that experience to help the state make better decisions about what’s fair for both consumers and utilities," his website says.
Justin Hornback
Hornback previously worked as a pipeline worker, welding inspector, and specialist in safety and health. He is also a member of the trade union Pipeliners Local 798.
"With a diverse background spanning multiple roles in the energy industry, I bring a wealth of experience to the table," Hornback said on his website.
This is Hornback's second campaign to become corporation commissioner. He previously campaigned to replace Commissioner Kim David in 2022.
Whoever is elected as the Republican nominee will face Democrat Harold Spradling and Libertarian Chad Williams in the November election.
The elected candidate will serve a six-year term as corporation commissioner starting in 2025.
LeFlore County races
State Representative
In June, some voters in LeFlore, Haskell, and McIntosh counties will elect a new representative for Oklahoma's House District 15. See the House map here.
The following candidates are looking to replace incumbent Rep. Randy Randleman:
- Gail Jackson
- Tim Turner
- Spring Morrow
- Paul Palmer
- Casey Johnson
County Sheriff
The LeFlore County sheriff race will have a few familiar faces, including incumbent Sheriff Rodney Derryberry who is running for reelection.
Donnie Ray Edwards, who campaigned against Derryberry in the 2020 election, decided to throw his hat in the ring for another election.
Edwards was appointed as sheriff in 2020 after former Sheriff Rob Seale announced his retirement in 2019.
In the 2020 election, Derryberry received 1,867 votes (69%) while Donnie Edwards received 836 votes (31%).
Spiro Police Chief Larry Crossland is also campaigning to become LeFlore County's next sheriff.
There are no Democrat candidates running for sheriff. Unless the race goes to a runoff, the next sheriff will be decided in the June primary.
County Commissioner
A LeFlore County commissioner race will also be up to voters in June.
Republican candidates Josh Blaylock, Bruce Curnutt, and Jesse Ingle are vying for the District 2 commissioner position.
Blayblock is currently serving as an interim member of the board after former Commissioner Cody Covey resigned in January.
Curnutt previously served as the LeFlore County sheriff.
Ingle previously worked as a jailer at the county detention center. He currently works as a maintenance supervisor at the county courthouse. He says his current position is under the direction of the board of county commissioners.
Sequoyah County races
State Representative
Incumbent Rep. Jim Olsen is running for reelection against party opponent E.O. "Junior" Smith to represent Oklahoma's District 2.
This is the third campaign Olsen has pursued since getting elected to the House in 2018.
Smith represents District 5 on the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council. He has served on the council since 2017. According to the Cherokee Nation website, his second term on the council ends in August 2025.
County Court Clerk
Incumbent Gina Cox is running for reelection against Melanie Edgmon who previously worked as a deputy clerk at the Sequoyah County Clerk's Office.
County Clerk
Julie Haywood, who has served as the Sequoyah County clerk since 2013, is running for reelection against Rosa Scott Looper.
Early voting begins June 13. For early voting polling sites, click here.
You can find the nearest Election Day polling place, through the OK Voter Portal online. Each polling site will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day on June 18.
Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.
Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:
Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to.