 | ||
The 2012 congressional elections in Oklahoma were held on November 6, 2012, to determine who would represent the state of Oklahoma in the United States House of Representatives. Oklahoma has five seats in the House, apportioned according to the 2010 United States Census. Representatives are elected for two-year terms; those elected will serve in the 113th Congress from January 3, 2013, until January 3, 2015.
Contents
Redistricting
A redistricting bill which made only minor alterations to the state's congressional districts was signed into law by Governor Mary Fallin on May 10, 2011. The new map was approved by every member of the congressional delegation.
District 1
In redistricting, parts of Rogers County, including suburbs east of Tulsa, were moved from the 1st district to the 2nd. Republican John Sullivan, who has represented the 1st district since 2002, will seek re-election.
Jim Bridenstine, a U.S. Navy combat pilot, will challenge Sullivan in the Republican primary. State Senator Randy Brogdon, who alternatively may run in the 2nd congressional district, will not challenge Sullivan in the Republican primary.
John Olson, a businessman and Army reservist, won the Democratic nomination unopposed.
Candidates
District 2
In redistricting, the 2nd district acquired conservative parts of Rogers County and Democratic-leaning parts of Marshall County. Democrat Dan Boren, who has represented the 2nd district since 2005, will not seek re-election.
Wayne Herriman, a businessman, and Rob Wallace, a former district attorney and assistant U.S. Attorney, will seek the Democratic nomination to succeed Boren. Former state Senator Ben Robinson, Muskogee County District 1 commissioner Gene Wallace, and state Senator Jim Wilson, may also seek the Democratic nomination. Former U.S. Representative Brad Carson, who represented the 2nd district from 2001 until 2005, and former state Senator Kenneth Corn, both of whom had planned to run, ultimately declined to do so.
State Representative George Faught; plumbing company owner Markwayne Mullin; former state Representative Wayne Pettigrew; Tishomingo city attorney and former mayor Dustin Rowe; pastor Dwayne Thompson; and retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel Dakota L. Wood, will seek the Republican nomination. State Senator Josh Brecheen; former state Senator Randy Brogdon, who may alternatively run in the 1st congressional district; and former state Representative Tad Jones, may also seek the Republican nomination. Charles Thompson, a veterinarian who unsuccessfully challenged Boren as the Republican nominee in 2010, will not run.
Candidates
Candidates
Results
Run-Off
District 3
In redistricting, the 3rd district expanded to include parts of Canadian County and Creek County. Republican Frank Lucas has represented the 3rd district since 1994. Tim Murray, a business consultant, will seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Lucas.
Candidates
Candidates
District 4
Over the decade leading up to the 2010 Census, the 4th district had grown in population more than any other district in Oklahoma. As a result, parts of Canadian County, Cleveland County and Marshall County were moved out of the 4th district in redistricting. Republican Tom Cole has represented the 4th district since 2003. Donna Bebo, a stay-at-home mother, will seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Cole.
Candidates
Candidates
District 5
Republican James Lankford, who has represented the 5th district since January 2011, is running for re-election. Tom Guild, a former political science professor at the University of Central Oklahoma and unsuccessful Democratic primary candidate for the 5th district in 2010, is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Lankford. There was no primary for ether party as both Lankford and Guild ran unopposed for the Republican and Democratic nomination respectively and will face Modern Whig Party candidate Pat Martin and Libertarian nominee Robert T. Murphy in the general election.