Business executive Kevin Stitt grabbed the Republican nomination for governor in Oklahoma’s gubernatorial runoff race Tuesday and will face former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson in November.
Stitt edged a victory over Mick Cornett, taking 55.1 percent of the vote at the time of reporting. He will face off against Edmondson, who took 61.4 percentage of the vote for the Democratic primary on June 26, according to The New York Times.
Stitt’s major opponent was Cornett, who served as Oklahoma City’s mayor for 14 years and was a reporter prior to his career in politics, according to Cornett’s campaign website. Stitt’s win on Tuesday was a comeback, as he lost to Cornett with 24.4 percentage versus 29.3 percentage of the votes.
Cornett raised $3.2 million in revenue, while Stitt raised $6.4 million, half of which he contributed, Tulsa World reported Aug. 20.
While Oklahoma is considered a deep-red state, the race may be a difficult cinch for Republicans, as sitting Gov. Mary Fallin was considered the most unpopular governor in the country with a 74 percent disapproval rate, according to a July 25 Morning Consult report. (RELATED: Here’s Why Oklahoma Teachers Are Still Walking Out After Getting $6,000 Raise)
Stitt’s focus areas include raising teacher salaries, advancing pro-life priorities and upholding the Second Amendment, his campaign page said. Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz and Tulsa Firefighters Political Action Committee endorsed the candidate.
Edmondson also plans on raising teacher pay, increasing government transparency by establishing an Office of Open Government and reversing the state’s decision to reject Medicaid expansion funds, according to his website.
The state voted 65.3 percent in favor of President Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election, according to The New York Times.
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