Democrats add to win column in deep-red Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY — Democrats added another win in the deep-red Oklahoma Legislature on Tuesday, continuing the minority party’s string of success and chipping away at the Republican Party’s hold on state government.
The previously GOP-held House seat and two Senate seats on the ballot were all in mostly Republican districts around Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
But Democrat Allison Ikley-Freeman, a therapist at a non-profit mental health agency, eked out a win in Senate District 17 over Republican Brian O’Hara, a former Jenks city councillor and district director for U.S. Rep. Jim Bridenstine. The seat that represents parts of Sand Springs, Jenks and west Tulsa.
A Republican held on to the Senate District 45 seat as Paul Rosino, a real estate agent and retired Navy man, defeated Democrat Steven Vincent, an Oklahoma City police dispatcher. Rosino will serve the balance of the unexpired term of former Republican state Sen. Kyle Loveless, who resigned in April and later pleaded guilty to embezzling campaign funds. The seat represents parts of Mustang, Yukon and south Oklahoma City.