Comanche County Republicans to select sheriff candidate in Tuesday’s primary election

The primary season is upon us.

Polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday across the state for primary elections in county, state and federal offices, with a handful of local issues thrown in.

In Comanche County, four of the five races on Tuesday’s ballot are confined to registered Republican voters, as that party selects its nominees to advance to November’s general election.

That includes three men who are vying for Comanche County sheriff, an office that has been held by Kenny Stradley since 1989. Stradley didn’t seek re-election, opening the seat to a new sheriff for the first time in more than 30 years. The ballot includes three Lawton men: Dell Galloway, Michael Merritt and Andy Moon. The Republican winner will face Democrat David Stroud, Elgin, in November.

Comanche County Republicans in State Senate District 31 will be selecting a new senator, after incumbent Chris Kidd withdrew his re-election bid. Candidates include Spencer Kern, Duncan; Pamala McNall-Granier, Comanche; and Rick Wolfe, Elgin. There is no Democrat in the race. Senate District 31 includes southern and eastern Comanche County, as well as Cotton, Jefferson and Love counties, and part of Stephens County.

In State House District 64, Republican incumbent Toni Hasenbeck, Elgin, is facing a challenge from William Ratley, with the winner to face Democrat Tom Sutherlin, Lawton, in November. The district includes Lawton east of 38th Street and a portion of eastern Comanche County.

Comanche County ballots also will include races for U.S. Fourth Congressional seat and Oklahoma Corporation Commission.

The Fourth District race is the only one Comanche County Democrats will vote in Tuesday, as they choose between Mary Brannon, Washington, and Kody Macaulay, Moore. Republicans will have five choices: Incumbent Tom Cole, Moore; Nick Hankins, Moore; Andrew Hayes, Lawton; Paul L. Bondar, Stonewall; and Rick Whitebear Harris, Norman. The Democrat and Republican winners will face independent James Stacy, Burneyville, in November.

Republicans also will have three choices for Corporation Commission: J. Brian Bingman, Russell Ray and Justin Hornback.

Other races in Southwest Oklahoma include:

U.S. HOUSE

3rd District: Republican: Darren Hamilton, 52, Fort Supply; Incumbent Frank D. Lucas, 64, Cheyenne; Robyn Lynn Carder, 57, Sand Springs.

CADDO COUNTY

Sheriff: Republican: Brynn Barnett, 42, Carnegie; Spencer Davis, 65, Gracemont.

COTTON COUNTY

Commissioner District 2: Republican: Kevin Grimes, 50, Temple; Benny Smallwood, 46, Walters.

County Clerk: Republican: Joseph Schappert, 68, Walters; Shawn Strange, 56, Walters.

Court Clerk: Republican: Terry Kelley, 68, Walters; Gina King, 54, Walters.

KIOWA COUNTY

Commissioner District 2: Republican: Daniel Rogers, 62, Lone Wolf; Brent Straub, 45, Lone Wolf.

STEPHENS COUNTY

Commissioner District 2: Republican: Todd Churchman, 61, Comanche; Stephen Upchurch, 56, Duncan.

Sheriff: Republican: Bill Straily, 56, Waurika; Rick Lang, 68, Duncan.

TILLMAN COUNTY

Court Clerk: Republican: Kevin Lyn Stevens, 68, Frederick; Patricia Wynn, 36, Frederick.

Sheriff: Republican: Oscar Juanes, 51, Frederick; Robert B. Wallace, 43, Davidson.