Sooner Survey: GOP Appears Likely To Take Control Of State Senate As Candidates Lead In Key Races

The latest edition of the Sooner Survey predicts Republicans easily will take control of the State Senate in this fall's elections. The historic change will come, in part, because of the weakness at the top of the Democratic ticket this year, said the survey's director, Pat McFerron.

The survey measured support in five key Senate races and found Republicans leading in all five.

Writes McFerron:
"Recent polling in the
five most discussed state senate
races in the state reveals that
Republicans are well on their
way to winning control of the
state senate for the first time in
history. If the elections were
held today, Republicans would
not only easily retain the three
currently held Republican seats
in play, but would also win the
Democrat-held open seat in
Stillwater, as well as defeat
incumbent Democrat Nancy Riley in Tulsa.
All totaled, Republicans look well on their
way not just to a narrow lead in the
composition of the State Senate, but to at
least a four-vote margin."

Senate District 15 (Norman area): Republican incumbent Jonathan Nichols, 48%, Democrat Diane Drum, 25%.

Senate District 31 (Lawton / SW): Don Barrington, the incumbent Republican, 58%, Democrat Keith Erwin, 24%.

Senate District 21 (Stillwater area): Republican Jim Halligan, 50%, Democrat Bob Murphy, 30%.

Senate District 37 (South Tulsa/Sand Springs): Republican Dan Newberry, 38%, incumbent Democrat Nancy Riley, 32%, Undecided, 31%.

Senate District 27 (Panhandle / NW): Republican Bryce Marlatt, 57%, Democrat Bowdy Peach, 17%.

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