2022 Oklahoma elections

A general election was held in the state of Oklahoma on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. The primary election was held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Runoff primary elections, where necessary, were held on Tuesday, August 23.^[1] The candidate filing period was April 13, 2022 to April 15, 2022.^[2]

2022 Oklahoma elections

← 2020 November 8, 2022 2024 →

Oklahoma voters elected both of the state's U.S. Senators (Class II and Class III), the Governor of Oklahoma, the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma, the Attorney General of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector, the Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Oklahoma State Treasurer, 1 of the 3 Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners, the Oklahoma Commissioner of Labor, the Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner, all of its seats to the House of Representatives, all of the seats of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, 24 of 48 seats in the Oklahoma State Senate, and other local and municipal offices.

Oklahoma had a special election for retiring U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe's Senate seat.

Oklahoma primaries were closed primaries, meaning that only voters registered with a political party could vote in that party's primary. However, state law allowed parties to "open up" their primary and allow independent voters to participate in their primary if they file a notice with the State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax. The Democratic Party of Oklahoma filed to allow independent voters to participate in their primaries for 2022 and 2023. The Libertarian Party of Oklahoma filed notice that it would hold closed primaries. The Republican Party of Oklahoma filed no notice, meaning it held closed primaries.^[3]

Federal offices

United States Senate seats

Main article: 2022 United States Senate election in Oklahoma

Main article: 2022 United States Senate special election in Oklahoma

Parties		Seats
		2020	2022	+/-	Strength
	Republican Party	2	2	0	100%
	Democratic Party	0	0	0	0%

United States House of Representatives

Main article: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Oklahoma

Parties		Seats
		2020	2022	+/-	Strength
	Republican Party	5	5	0	100%
	Democratic Party	0	0	0	0%

Governor

Main article: 2022 Oklahoma gubernatorial election

Lieutenant governor

2022 Oklahoma lieutenant gubernatorial election

← 2018 2026 →

Nominee Matt Pinnell Melinda Alizadeh-Fard Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 744,003 355,763 Percentage 64.9% 31.0%

County results Congressional district results Pinnell:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      ≥90%

Lieutenant Governor before election Matt Pinnell Republican Elected Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell Republican

Incumbent lieutenant governor Matt Pinnell won re-election.^[4]

General election

Candidates

• Melinda Alizadeh-Fard, attorney and former administrative law judge (Democratic)^[5]
• Matt Pinnell, incumbent lieutenant governor (Republican)^[6]
• Chris Powell, Bethany city councilor and nominee for governor in 2018 (Libertarian)^[5]

Endorsements

Matt Pinnell (R)

Organizations

• NRA Political Victory Fund^[7]

Newspapers

• Tulsa World^[8]

Melinda Alizadeh-Fard (D)

Organizations

• Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes^[9]

Labor unions

• Communications Workers of America^[10]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Matt Pinnell (R)	Melinda Alizadeh-Fard (D)	Chris Powell (L)	Undecided
Amber Integrated (R)[11]	September 19–21, 2022	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	49%	34%	5%	12%
–(L)[A]	September 15–18, 2022	2,989 (LV)	± 3.2%	46%	24%	13%	16%
SoonerPoll[12]	September 2–7, 2022	402 (LV)	± 4.9%	54%	26%	5%	16%

Results

2022 Oklahoma lieutenant gubernatorial election^[13][14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Matt Pinnell (incumbent)	744,003	64.87%	+0.84%
	Democratic	Melinda Alizadeh-Fard	355,763	31.02%	−4.95%
	Libertarian	Chris Powell	47,226	4.12%	N/A
Total votes			1,146,992	100%
Turnout			1,146,992	49.96%
Registered electors			2,295,906

Attorney general

Main article: 2022 Oklahoma Attorney General election

State auditor and inspector

Since no independent, Democratic, or Libertarian candidate filed for Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector, there was no general election. Instead, the winner of the Republican primary on June 28 would take office. Incumbent state auditor Cindy Byrd won the Republican primary and her reelection on June 28, defeating primary challenger Steven McQuillen.^[15]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Cindy Byrd, incumbent state auditor

Eliminated in primary

• Steven McQuillen, fixed asset accounting manager for Tulsa Public Schools (1998–present) and former auditor and treasurer of the Philippine American Association of North Eastern Oklahoma (2004–2006)^[5]

Endorsements

Cindy Byrd

Statewide officials

• Kevin Stitt, Governor of Oklahoma^[15]

Newspapers

• Tulsa Beacon^[16]
• Tulsa World^[17]

Organizations

• Oklahoma Farm Bureau^[18]
• Oklahomans for Health and Parental Rights^[19]
• Tulsa County Republican Party^[20]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Cindy Byrd	Steven McQuillen	Undecided
Amber Integrated (R)[21]	June 6–9, 2022	400 (LV)	± 4.9%	27%	15%	57%
SoonerPoll[22]	April 25 – May 11, 2022	306 (LV)	± 5.6%	26%	13%	62%

Results

Republican primary results^[23]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Cindy Byrd (incumbent)	244,433	70.0
	Republican	Steven McQuillen	104,538	30.0
Total votes			348,971	100.0

State Superintendent

2022 Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction election

← 2018 2026 →

Nominee Ryan Walters Jena Nelson Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 650,310 495,031 Percentage 56.78% 43.22%

County results Congressional district results Walters:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Nelson:      50–60%

State Superintendent before election Joy Hofmeister Democratic Elected State Superintendent Ryan Walters Republican

The incumbent Democratic Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister, who was elected as a Republican, was term limited in 2022.^[24] Oklahoma Secretary of Education Ryan Walters won the election.^[25]

Republican primary

Nominee

• Ryan Walters, Oklahoma Secretary of Education (2020–2023)^[26][27]

Eliminated in runoff

• April Grace, Superintendent of Shawnee Public Schools (2016–present)^[28][29]

Eliminated in primary

• John Cox, Superintendent of Peggs Public Schools (1999–present)^[24]
• William Crozier, retired veteran and candidate for State Superintendent of Oklahoma in 2006^[5]

Declared, but failed to file

• Jerry Griffin, Tulsa Public Schools board member for District 6 (ran for Tulsa city council)^[30]

Endorsements

April Grace

Newspapers

• Tulsa World^[31]

Ryan Walters

U.S senators

• Ted Cruz, U.S. senator from Texas (2013–present)^[32]

Statewide officials

• Kevin Stitt, 28th governor of Oklahoma (2019–present)^[33]

Newspapers

• Tulsa Beacon^[16]

Organizations

• Americans for Prosperity^[34]
• Oklahoma Second Amendment Association^[35]
• Oklahomans for Health and Parental Rights^[19]

Primary polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	William Crozier	John Cox	April Grace	Ryan Walters	Other	Undecided
SoonerPoll[36]	June 13–21, 2022	350 (LV)	± 5.2%	4%	17%	14%	10%	–	55%
Amber Integrated (R)[21]	June 6–9, 2022	400 (LV)	± 4.9%	1%	17%	13%	14%	–	54%
SoonerPoll[22]	April 25 – May 11, 2022	306 (LV)	± 5.6%	1%	10%	6%	7%	–	77%
Amber Integrated (R)[37]	March 24–27, 2022	455 (LV)	± 4.6%	–	11%	6%	7%	–	77%
Amber Integrated (R)[38]	December 15–19, 2021	253 (RV)	± 6.2%	–	13%	13%	13%	3%	57%
Amber Integrated (R)[39]	September 29 – October 3, 2021	253 (RV)	± 6.2%	–	23%	14%	14%	10%	40%

Debate

2022 Republican primary debates

No.	Date	Host	Moderator	Link	Participants
Key:  P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Non-invitee   I  Invitee  W  Withdrawn
					John Cox	William Crozier	April Grace	Ryan Walters
1	June 22, 2022	Nondoc/New 9/The Frontier	Tres Savage & Storme Jones		I	I	I	I

Primary results

Republican primary results^[23]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Ryan Walters	142,540	41%
	Republican	April Grace	105,303	31%
	Republican	John Cox	83,012	24%
	Republican	William E. Crozier	12,936	4%
Total votes			343,791	100%

Runoff polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	April Grace	Ryan Walters	Undecided
SoonerPoll[40]	August 11–17, 2022	322 (LV)	± 5.4%	32%	50%	18%
Amber Integrated (R)[41]	August 11–15, 2022	684 (LV)	± 3.8%	26%	40%	34%
SoonerPoll[42]	July 25 – August 1, 2022	383 (LV)	± 5.0%	34%	48%	18%

Runoff results

Republican runoff results^[43]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Ryan Walters	149,147	53.4
	Republican	April Grace	130,168	46.6
Total votes			279,315	100.0

General election

Candidates

• Jena Nelson, Oklahoma Teacher of the Year (2020) and Deer Creek Middle School teacher (2017–present) (Democratic nominee)^[5][44]
• Ryan Walters, Oklahoma Secretary of Education (2020–present) (Republican nominee)^[45]

Post-primary endorsements

Jena Nelson (D)

Labor unions

• Communications Workers of America^[10]

Newspapers

• The Black Wall Street Times^[46]
• Clinton Daily News^[47]
• Tulsa World^[48]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Jena Nelson (D)	Ryan Walters (R)	Undecided
Ascend Action (R)[49]	November 5–6, 2022	682 (LV)	± 3.8%	46%	48%	6%
Amber Integrated (R)[50]	October 26–28, 2022	501 (LV)	± 4.4%	48%	44%	8%
Ascend Action (R)[51]	October 24–28, 2022	749 (LV)	± 3.6%	41%	42%	17%
Amber Integrated (R)[52]	October 13–15, 2022	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	43%	52%	5%
Ascend Action (R)[53]	October 10–12, 2022	638 (LV)	± 3.9%	44%	39%	16%
SoonerPoll[54]	October 3–6, 2022	301 (LV)	± 5.7%	48%	40%	12%
Amber Integrated (R)[55]	September 19–21, 2022	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	49%	44%	7%
–(L)[A]	September 15–18, 2022	2,989 (LV)	± 3.2%	45%	40%	16%
SoonerPoll[56]	September 7–8, 2022	402 (LV)	± 4.9%	48%	43%	9%

Results

2022 Oklahoma state superintendent election^[13][14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Ryan Walters	650,310	56.78%	−1.73%
	Democratic	Jena Nelson	495,031	43.22%	+9.44%
Total votes			1,145,341	100%
Turnout			1,145,341	48.89%
Registered electors			2,295,906

State treasurer

Main article: 2022 Oklahoma State Treasurer election

Corporation Commissioner

The incumbent Republican Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Dana Murphy is term limited in 2022.^[57] Former State Senate Majority Leader Kim David won the election.^[4]

Results by county:

  David

•   50-60%
•   60-70%
•   70-80%
•   80-90%

Republican primary

Nominee

• Kim David, Majority Leader of the Oklahoma State Senate^[58]

Eliminated in runoff

• Todd Thomsen, state representative (2006–2017)^[59][60]

Eliminated in primary

• Justin Hornback, representative for the Pipeliners Union 798^[61]
• Harold Spradling, candidate for Corporate Commissioner in 2018 and 2020^[5]

Endorsements

Kim David (R)

Organizations

• POWhER PAC^[62]

Todd Thomsen

Newspapers

• Tulsa Beacon^[16]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Kim David	Justin Hornback	Harold Spraldling	Todd Thomsen	Other	Undecided
Amber Integrated (R)[21]	June 6–9, 2022	400 (LV)	± 4.9%	12%	16%	9%	12%	–	51%
SoonerPoll[22]	April 25 – May 11, 2022	306 (LV)	± 5.6%	10%	8%	2%	5%	–	76%
Amber Integrated (R)[37]	March 24–27, 2022	455 (LV)	± 4.6%	14%	–	–	15%	0%	72%

Debate

2022 Republican primary debates

No.	Date	Host	Moderator	Link	Participants
Key:  P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Non-invitee   I  Invitee  W  Withdrawn
					Kim David	Justin Hornback	Harold Spradling	Todd Thomsen
1	June 7, 2022	Nondoc/New 9/The Frontier	Tres Savage & Storme Jones	Debate 1	P	P	P	P

Primary results

Republican primary results^[23]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Kim David	135,710	41.1%
	Republican	Todd Thomsen	85,886	26.0%
	Republican	Justin Hornback	67,263	20.4%
	Republican	Harold Spradling	41,619	12.6%
Total votes			330,478	100%

Runoff polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Kim David	Todd Thomsen	Undecided
Amber Integrated (R)[41]	August 11–15, 2022	684 (LV)	± 3.8%	36%	23%	41%

Runoff results

Republican runoff results^[43]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Kim David	158,819	59.1
	Republican	Todd Thomsen	109,816	40.9
Total votes			268,635	100.0

General election

Candidates

• Margaret Warigia Bowman, University of Tulsa College of Law professor specializing in water, energy, infrastructure and regulatory law (Democratic)^[63]
• Kim David, Majority Leader of the Oklahoma State Senate (Republican)
• Don Underwood, Inola, Oklahoma resident (independent)^[6]

Post-primary endorsements

Kim David

Newspapers

• Tulsa World^[64]

Margaret Warigia Bowman (D)

Labor unions

• Communications Workers of America^[10]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Kim David (R)	Margaret Bowman (D)	Don Underwood (I)	Undecided
Amber Integrated (R)[55]	September 19–21, 2022	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	48%	30%	9%	12%
SoonerPoll[12]	September 2–7, 2022	402 (LV)	± 4.9%	50%	29%	4%	17%

Results

2022 Oklahoma corporation commissioner election^[13][14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Kim David	722,074	63.50%	+3.47%
	Democratic	Margaret Bowman	351,239	30.89%	−3.41%
	Independent	Don Underwood	63,894	5.62%	N/A
Total votes			1,137,207	100%
Turnout			1,137,207	49.53%
Registered electors			2,295,906

Commissioner of Labor

Incumbent Leslie Osborn won re-election.^[4]

Results by county:

  Osborn

•   50-60%
•   60-70%
•   70-80%
•   80-90%

Republican primary

Nominee

• Leslie Osborn, incumbent Oklahoma Commissioner of Labor^[58]

Eliminated in runoff

• Sean Roberts, state senator for the 36th District (2011–present)^[60]

Eliminated in primary

• Keith Swinton, candidate for Commissioner of Labor in 2018 and project engineer for Ready Services, LLC^[5]

Endorsements

Leslie Osborn

Newspapers

• Tulsa World^[65]

Sean Roberts

Statewide elected officials

• Kevin Stitt, 28th governor of Oklahoma^[66]

Newspapers

• Tulsa Beacon^[16]

Organizations

• Oklahoma Second Amendment Association^[35]
• Oklahomans for Health and Parental Rights^[19]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Leslie Osborn	Sean Roberts	Keith Swinton	Undecided
Amber Integrated (R)[21]	June 6–9, 2022	400 (LV)	± 4.9%	25%	19%	5%	52%

Results

Republican primary results^[23]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Leslie Osborn	160,753	47.8
	Republican	Sean Roberts	128,669	38.3
	Republican	Keith Swinton	46,758	13.9
Total votes			336,180	100.0

Runoff polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Leslie Osborn	Sean Roberts	Undecided
Amber Integrated (R)[41]	August 11–15, 2022	684 (LV)	± 3.8%	42%	21%	36%

Runoff results

Republican runoff results^[43]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Leslie Osborn	143,937	53.0
	Republican	Sean Roberts	127,585	47.0
Total votes			271,522	100.0

General election

Candidates

• Will Daugherty, development manager at FirstLight Home Care (Libertarian nominee)^[5]
• Jack Henderson, former Tulsa, Oklahoma city councilor for the 1st District (2004–2016) (Democratic nominee)^[5]
• Leslie Osborn, incumbent Oklahoma Labor Commissioner (Republican nominee)

Post-primary endorsements

Leslie Osborn (R)

Labor unions

• Communications Workers of America^[10]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Leslie Osborn (R)	Jack Henderson (D)	Will Daugherty (L)	Undecided
Amber Integrated (R)[55]	September 19–21, 2022	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	52%	32%	5%	12%
SoonerPoll[12]	September 2–7, 2022	402 (LV)	± 4.9%	56%	27%	2%	15%

Results

2022 Oklahoma commission of labor election^[13][14]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Leslie Osborn	747,037	65.66%	+3.93%
	Democratic	Jack Henderson	333,741	29.33%	−4.14%
	Libertarian	Will Daugherty	57,006	5.01%	N/A
Total votes			1,137,784	100%
Turnout			1,137,784	49.56%
Registered electors			2,295,906

Insurance Commissioner

Only one candidate filed for Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner, incumbent Glen Mulready. There was no election for this office in 2022, and Mulready was re-elected without opposition.^[5]

State legislature

All 101 seats of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and 24 of 48 seats of the Oklahoma State Senate were up for election.

State senate

Main article: 2022 Oklahoma Senate election

Parties		Seats
		2020	2022	+/-	Strength
	Republican Party	39	40	+1	83%
	Democratic Party	9	8	-1	17%

House of Representatives

Main article: 2022 Oklahoma House of Representatives election

Parties		Seats
		2020	2022	+/-	Strength
	Republican Party	81	80	-1	79%
	Democratic Party	20	21	+1	21%

Local elections

• 2022 Tulsa municipal elections
• 2022 Oklahoma City mayoral election
• 2022 Norman, Oklahoma mayoral election

Notes

1. This poll was conducted in-house by and for Natalie Bruno's gubernatorial campaign

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear