Oklahoma’s primary elections on Tuesday put open races for U.S. Senate and governor on the ballot in the deeply conservative state where President Donald Trump’s status as party kingmaker faces another test ahead of November’s midterms. In the Senate race, Trump’s early backing of Republican U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern for the seat previously held by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin kept other potential big challengers at bay in Oklahoma, which hasn’t elected a Democratic senator since 1990. A bigger test of Trump’s influence — which has usually proved potent in Republican primaries this year — may come in a crowded race to succeed outgoing Gov. Kevin Stitt. Trump endorsed former state Sen. Mike Mazzei last month, wading late into a primary that includes several prominent Oklahoma Republicans. They include Attorney General Gentner Drummond, former Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall and Chip Keating, the state’s former public safety director.
It has raised the likelihood of an August runoff if no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote.In a solidly Republican state, the open races for two of Oklahoma’s biggest offices set off a political scramble.
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