SD 24: Can Sykes Defeat Democrat Lawler?

A month ago, wags said the Senate District 24 race between incumbent Democrat Senator Daisy Lawler and Republican challenger Anthony Sykes was a close one. Today, they seem less certain.

Earlier, Sykes appeared to be gaining ground based on Lawler's support of a law that provides in-state tuition for illegal immigrants. Some in the district say that today, that issue appears to have run its course.

Lawler now has the endorsement of the National Rifle Association's Political Victory Fund even though Sykes shares the same "A" rating given her. Her endorsement was based on her votes in the Senate on key NRA issues, while Sykes' rating was based on his answers to a questionnaire; the NRA-PVF always gives more weight to actual votes. Result of the NRA endorsement of Lawler is that a key conservative issue, protecting the 2nd Amendment, is not in play.

Lawler also has a decided dollar advantage; her last report, filed in early August, shows that at that time, she had raised $113,400 compared to just $9,000 for Sykes.

Sykes should benefit from a fundraising reception being held tonight at the Yellow Rose Theater in Moore. Special guests are Senate Minority Leader Glenn Coffee and U. S. Senator Jim Inhofe.

The race is one of about half a dozen that GOP leaders have on their list of possible pickups in their quest to take control of the State Senate for the first time in history.

The district has grown more Republican in recent years. Sykes is from the "Republican" north end of the district, Moore and Cleveland County, while Lawler is from the "Democrat" south end of the district, Comanche and Duncan. The district includes parts of Cleveland, Grady, McClain and Stephens counties.

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