Fallin Cruises In OK GOV Primary, Faces Askins

Updated 5:43 a.m.

Rep./ex-LG Mary Fallin (R-OK) won the OK GOV GOP primary in convincing fashion, easily defeating state Sen. Randy Brogdon (R) with 55 percent of the vote. She will be facing LG Jari Askins (D), a surprise victor in the Dem primary, setting up an all-female gubernatorial matchup.

Fallin is the heavy favorite in the general election, where she will continue her bid to go from representing the state's 5th CD to becoming its first woman gov.

She secured the support of some high profile GOPers during the primary, including from ex-AK Gov. Sarah Palin (R) and MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R). Immediately following her win tonight, Palin congratulated Fallin on her Twitter feed. "Congratulations Mary Fallin!" Palin tweeted. "Well-deserved gubernatorial primary victory today, now on to the general. (We can see November from our house!)"

Among the seven members who are serving or have served in the House during the 111th Congress and opted to launch a GOV bid, Fallin is the first to secure her party's nomination this cycle. Ex-Rep. Nathan Deal (R) is currently in a runoff in GA, while Rep. Gresham Barrett (R-SC) lost a runoff in the SC GOV GOP primary and Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL) lost in the Dem primary in AL. Ex-Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D), Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-MI) and Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN) are all currently in GOV primaries in their respective home states.

Over on the Dem side, in an upset, LG Jari Askins (D) defeated AG Drew Edmondson (D) by the slimmest of margins, leading him by just over 1.5K votes with 99% of the precincts in. Edmondson led by double digits in the polls heading into the primary, and was the more prolific fundraiser in the race. Askins had loaned her campaign a sizable amount of money in an effort to remain competitive and in the closing days of the race, she landed the endorsement of ex-Univ. of OK/Dallas Cowboys head coach Barry Switzer, who many credit for helping Gov. Brad Henry (D) win his race in '02.

The general election now pits two women against each other, in a race that Fallin enters as the favorite. For her own part, Askins has not shied away from issues affecting women, releasing a TV ad during the primary promising to "make certain" OK women are paid as fairly as men.

Meanwhile, in a preview of how some GOPers might frame the outcome of the Dem race, the RGA seized on the opportunity to portray OK Dems as divided. "The only thing that is clear about the Democratic primary for governor of Oklahoma is that Democrats are deeply divided," said RGA spokesperson Tim Murtaugh, shortly before Askins was declared the victor. "Oklahoma voters tonight chose someone who has proven that she can win statewide," said DGA chair Jack Markell, of Askins.

Full results, along with Senate and House results, after the jump.

Results, with 99% of precincts reporting in the Dem race, 99% reporting in the GOP race:

OK GOV GOP Primary              OK GOV Dem Primary  
             Votes    %age                    Votes    %age
Fallin       133,933   55%       Askins        132,293    50%         
Brogdon      94,716   39%       Edmondson     130,760    49% 
Hubbard       7,962    3%
Jackson       6,206    3%

Meanwhile, over in the SEN race, as expected, Sen. Tom Coburn (R) easily won re-nomination on the GOP side. In the Dem race, '02/'04/'08 candidate/'06 LG candidate/ret. teacher Jim Rogers (D) defeated atty Mark Myles (D).

Results, with 99% of precincts reporting:

OK SEN GOP Primary                  OK SEN Dem Primary
              Votes    %age                       Votes    %age
Coburn        218,390   90%         Rogers        156,200   65%
Rogers         14,771    6%         Myles          82,521   35%
Spring          8,656    4%

Downballot, in the race to fill Fallin's Oklahoma City-based CD, ex-state Rep. Kevin Calvey (R) and youth counselor/prof. James Lankford (R) topped the seven-candidate field and will move to an 8/24 runoff. Calvey and Lankford took 33% and 32% when the AP called the race, while state Reps. Mike Thompson (R) and Shane Jett (R) followed up with 17% and 13%, respectively. Thompson and Calvey spent the most (over $550K each), and several business groups moved in to aide Thompson at the end of the contest. But Thompson wasn't able to change polling that showed him trailing in early July, and Calvey and Lankford moved on. Calvey has over $300K left in the bank for the runoff, while Lankford had just under $100K. The winner will be the huge favorite in the fall in this 59% John McCain CD.

Meanwhile, Rep. Dan Boren (D) easily defeated state Sen. Jim Wilson (D), who challenged Boren primarily because of the incumbent's vote against health care reform. But Wilson entered the race late and managed to spend just $10K on the race. Both candidates released polling showing Boren with a 40%+ lead, and Wilson was unable to get any closer. It's clear Dems, even in conservative "Little Dixie," were not anxious to replace Boren because of his conservative votes.

He'll face the winner of a likely runoff between farmer Daniel Edmonds (R) and veterinarian Charles Thompson (R). But while McCain took 66% in this CD, this race is not yet on the radar for GOPers. Boren has a $1M+ warchest, while the most either GOPer had in the bank was $600. Boren is the overwhelming favorite against either GOPer in the fall.