Oklahoma primary brings change to Senate leadership
(The Center Square) – A leader in the Oklahoma Senate is out, but a long-time Republican congressman survived a challenge from four other members of his party.
Senate Majority Leader Greg McCortney, R-Ada, who was poised to become the President Pro Tem next year, lost his seat to political newcomer Jonathan Wingard, leaving Senate leadership in limbo.
In addition to serving as an ex-officio member of all committees, McCortney was recently appointed to the Joint Committee on State-Tribal Relations.
Wingard is a veteran with recent deployments to Afghanistan and Kuwait. He said on his campaign page he advocates for limited, small government, the 2nd Amendment, and individual rights and freedoms like homeownership and landowners’ rights.
“Tonight is just the first step in a journey that we’ve embarked on together and I have no doubt that with your help we will achieve many great things for years to come,” Wingard said in a statement to voters following the election results. “With your help we were able to swing the momentum towards commonsense conservatism. We will ride this momentum into the state capitol and fight for the kind of representative government that our constitution guarantees us all.”
McCortney and Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat did not immediately respond to emails from The Center Square.
Incumbent Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, who was first elected in 2020, also lost. Primary winner Kendal Sacchieri said she entered the race because she felt the politicians in Oklahoma City had forgotten that they serve the people.
“You will never have to wonder if I support new taxes, vaccine mandates or second amendment restrictions. I don’t. We deserve better,” Sacchieri said on her campaign page.
Sen. Cody Rogers, R-Tulsa, who has also served since 2020, was ousted by Aaron Reinhardt.
In the House, incumbent Rep. John Talley succumbed to former educator Molly Jenkins, who criticized Reinhardt for being “compromised” by special interest funds. She will serve as the new representative for District 33.
U.S. Rep. Tom Cole held on to his seat despite four Republican challengers. He received 64.63% of the vote in the District 4 race.
He will go head-to-head with Mary Brannon in November, who won the Democratic nomination for District 4.
“If I am fortunate enough to win the November election, the voters of the Fourth District can count on me to fight for a safer and stronger America by working to increase pay for our military men and women, investing in medical and weather research, and in securing our border,” Cole said Tuesday night.
