Peck, Russ Advance In HD55 Special Election

Democrat Larry Peck and Republican Todd Russ won their special election primaries in the House District 55 race on Tuesday and will meet in the October 13th special general election.

Peck, from Sentinel, and Russ, from Cordell, easily won their primaries.

Russ received 1,046 votes, or 89.3 percent, while Jeff Ledford of Hobart received 125 votes, or 10.7 percent.

Peck won 2,017 votes, or 78.6 percent, while Alex Damon, the mayor of Cordell, garnered 550 votes, or 21.5 percent.

Peck and Russ, who each sought the Senate District 26 seat in 2006 that covers most of House District 55, are seeking to succeed Ryan McMullen, a Democrat who accepted a federal agriculture post.

Peck, 52, recently retired as an agriculture education instructor and FFA adviser at Sentinel High School. He farms and ranches and his family owns Ag Youth magazine, which reaches 4-H and FFA youth across the Midwest.

Russ, 48, is on the Cordell City Council and is past president and chief executive officer of Washita State Bank in Burns Flat. He sold the majority of his bank stock last year and is now doing management consulting. He would have to resign his city post if he wins next month’s election.

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HD55: Russ First To File, Democrats Follow

Republican Todd Russ of Cordell was the first to file for the House District 55 seat this morning, followed by Democrats Larry Peck of Sentinel and Alex Damon of Cordell.

This afternoon, Republican Jeff Ledford, 52, of Hobart filed, ensuring a GOP primary.

Filing continues through Wednesday for the seat, being vacated by Ryan McMullen, a Democrat. McMullen left his House seat to accept the appointed post of director of rural development for the U.S. Agriculture Department.

Primary elections are scheduled for September 8, with the general election October 13.

Peck, 52, recently retired as an agriculture education instructor and FFA adviser at Sentinel High School. He farms, ranches and operates a family-owned business in the Sentinel area. His family owns Ag Youth Magazine, which reaches 4-H and FFA youth across the Midwest.

Damon, the mayor of Cordell, said he wants to fight for legislation to strengthen Oklahoma's mental health programs. Damon, 49, moved to Cordell in 2002. He was appointed to the Cordell City Council in 2003 and later that year was appointed president of the council. He was elected mayor in 2004 after serving as interim mayor following the resignation of the mayor. He was elected to a four-year term as mayor in 2007.

Russ, re-elected earlier this year to a second two year-term on the Cordell City Council, is past president and chief executive officer of Washita State Bank in Burns Flat. In 2006, he narrowly lost the state Senate District 26 race in southwestern Oklahoma, which covers much of House District 55. He's 48.

Ledford is a former Hobart auto parts plant manager.

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Four Candidates Seek House District 55 Seat

A fourth candidate has announced he'll seek the House District 55 seat vacated by the recent appointment of Rep. Ryan McMullen to a federal agricultural post.

Newest entrant into the race is Larry Peck of Sentinel, who joins fellow Democrat Alex Damon, the mayor of Cordell, in seeking the Democratic nomination. Peck is a retired agriculture education instructor and FFA adviser at Sentinel High School.

Republicans Todd Russ of Cordell and Jeff Ledford of Hobart seek the GOP nomination. Russ, a banker and member of the Cordell City Council, previously sought a Senate seat.

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Todd Russ Makes It Official, Eyes HD 55 Seat

Republican businessman and civic leader Todd Russ of Cordell announced today he is a candidate for the State House District 55 seat being vacated later this month by Rep. Ryan McMullen, who has been named the new State Director of Rural Development for the USDA.

Russ said he made the decision after spending a week making calls and visiting with folks throughout the district. "I am humbled and grateful for the outpouring of support I am receiving daily about this campaign," he said.

"I believe I understand the issues that concern the people in my district and I know that I hold the same conservative values as the vast majority of the people in our area. I know the value of hard work and the importance of standing for Godly values and honest leadership in government," Russ stated.

"If elected, I am confident I can hit the ground running as the State Representative and make certain that the people of House District 55 are well represented when the legislature convenes next February," he added.

"Given the opportunity, I will go to the State Capitol and work hard for the things we need in our district. I want to help diversify and develop agriculture, strengthen our local schools, promote economic development and tourism, and create more jobs," Russ added.

Russ narrowly lost a State Senate bid as the Republican nominee in 2006. The Senate district encompasses much of House District 55.

Russ serves on the Cordell City Council and is the past President and CEO of Washita State Bank in Burns Flat. During his presidency the bank was rated one of the top performing banks in the state and nation. Russ sold the majority of his bank stock last year and is now doing management consulting with banks and small businesses. During his banking career, Russ served as a director of the Oklahoma Banker’s Association and as Chairman of the OBA Small Bank Council.

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Todd Russ Eyes Run For HD 55 Seat

Republican businessman Todd Russ of Cordell said today he is seriously considering running for the State House District 55 seat which is being vacated later this month by Rep. Ryan McMullen, who has been named the new State Director of Rural Development for the USDA.

Governor Henry will set dates for a special election later this summer or fall after he receives McMullen’s official resignation letter with the effective date for stepping down from his legislative seat to take the USDA post.

"I am humbled and overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and encouragement I am receiving from people from all walks of life about running for the State House. While I am definitely leaning towards becoming a candidate, I want to continue to make calls and visits with folks around the district over the Fourth of July weekend. My plan is to make an official announcement sometime next week," Russ said.

Russ is a fourth generation resident of Western Oklahoma who has a long resume of community service and activity. At present he serves on the Cordell City Council. He narrowly lost a State Senate bid in 2004.

House District 55 includes all or parts of the four counties of Washita, Kiowa, Caddo, and Canadian, stretching from the Oklahoma City suburbs and encompassing a large amount of rural southwestern Oklahoma.

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