2 Dems win seats at Capitol

Democrats flipped two GOP-controlled districts on Tuesday, giving Oklahoma’s minority party a morale boost heading into a long season of special elections as they prepare for 2018.

Voters on Tuesday decided on Democrats to represent them at the Oklahoma Capitol after their elected officials resigned in disgrace, leaving the legislative seats vacant and forcing the mid-year contests.

Michael Brooks will be the new state senator for District 44 in the southwest Oklahoma City metro area, beating Republican Joe Griffin.

Brooks won with more than 54 percent of the vote. On Facebook, he thanked supporters and said the race was about teachers, budget cuts and families.

“In our hearts, we know we’re better than underfunded schools and underpaid teachers. We know we’re better than a budget that places the burden on everyday Oklahomans,” Brooks wrote. “We are better than families working two to three jobs just to make ends meet. We all believe we are better than this.”

Brooks is an attorney who has focused on immigration issues at his southside practice. Griffin is a former television reporter and communication aide for two speakers of the House. He is studying to become an attorney.

Both unsuccessfully campaigned for the Legislature; Brooks sought the same seat in 2014 and Griffin lost a House race during last year’s election.

The Senate seat has been vacant since former state Sen. Ralph Shortey resigned amid child prostitution allegations.

In Tulsa’s House District 75, voters picked Karen Gaddis to replace former state Rep. Dan Kirby, who resigned following an investigation into sexual harassment claims made by a former assistant.

Gaddis beat Tressa Nunley with more than 52 percent of the vote.

Several special elections will occur this year because of resignations and a death. After

Tuesday, there will be four more contests.

Norman voters will elect a new representative after GOP state Rep. Scott Martin quit to run the Norman Chamber of Commerce. Republicans in House District 46 picked Darin Chambers over two other candidates to be on the September general election ballot. Chambers will face off against Democrat Jacob Rosecrants.

The other upcoming elections include House and Senate seats in the Tulsa metro area and another Senate seat in south Oklahoma City.

Chambers, who edged out fellow Republicans Charlie Samples and Jimmy Shannon, said he faced a hard-fought contest and won’t be coasting toward his general election.

“You can never take anything for granted in a special election,” Chambers said.