The race to fill the unexpired term for Oklahoma State Senate District 8 took a significant step forward on March 4, as Republican voters selected their top two candidates who will advance to a runoff election on April 1. With all 25 precincts in Okmulgee County reporting, David Nelson emerged as the frontrunner among six Republican contenders, securing 48.03 percent of the total vote. However, since no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff is required between Nelson and the second-place finisher, Bryan Logan, who garnered 27.43 percent of the total vote.

Nelson’s strong performance across early voting and Election Day ballots earned him 732 total votes, while Logan followed with 418 votes. Steven Baldridge finished third with 210 votes (13.78%), followed by Hoss Durrett (9.65%), Jeff R. Ramsey (0.72%) and Ed Jolly (0.39%).

— About Senate District 8

Senate District 8 includes all of Okfuskee, Okmulgee, and McIntosh counties plus parts of Creek and Muskogee counties. This seat became open after former Senate Appropriations and Budget Chairman Roger Thompson (R-Okemah) resigned last year when he was removed from his leadership position on the committee.

— What’s Next?

With no candidate securing the required majority, David Nelson and Bryan Logan will face off in a Republican runoff election on April 1. The winner of the runoff will move forward as the Republican nominee for Senate District 8 and advance to the general election.

The winner of the April 1 runoff will face Democrat Nathan Brewer and Independent Steve Sanford, both from Henryetta, in the May 13 general election. The outcome of that race will determine who fills the vacant Senate District 8 seat.