2002 Oklahoma's 1st congressional district special election

The 2002 United States House of Representatives special election in Oklahoma's 1st congressional district was held on January 8, 2002, to select the successor to Steve Largent (R) who resigned to focus on his campaign for Governor of Oklahoma. Both of the major parties held primaries to determine their nominees. The Republican primary featured a competitive contest between then-First Lady of Oklahoma Cathy Keating, and state Senator Scott Pruitt, and the eventual winner state Representative John Sullivan. Sullivan subsequently defeated Tulsa School Board present Doug Dodd by a ten-point margin.

2002 Oklahoma's 1st congressional district special election

← 2000 January 8, 2002 (2002-01-08) November 2002 →
 
Nominee John Sullivan Doug Dodd
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 61,694 50,850
Percentage 53.79% 44.34%

U.S. Representative before election

Steve Largent
Republican

Elected U.S. Representative

John Sullivan
Republican

Given the strong conservative bent of the district, which voted for George W. Bush over Al Gore 62% to 38% in 2000 and has not been represented by a Democrat since 1987, Democrats did not seriously contest this race. Nevertheless, Dodd came within ten percentage points of winning the election, significantly outperforming Gore.

Election results

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Republican primary results[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Sullivan 19,018 45.53
Republican Cathy Keating 12,737 30.49
Republican Scott Pruitt 9,513 22.77
Republican George Banasky 296 .71
Republican Evelyn Rogers 210 .5
Total votes 41,774 100.00
Democratic primary results[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Doug Dodd 12,516 88.77
Democratic James Lamkin 1,584 11.23
Total votes 14,100 100.00
Oklahoma's 1st congressional district special election, 2002[3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Sullivan 61,694 53.79
Democratic Doug Dodd 50.850 44.34
Libertarian Neil Mavis 1,758 1.53
Independent David Fares 388 .34
Total votes 114,690 100.00
Republican hold

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Our Campaigns - OK District 1 - Special R Primary Race - Dec 11, 2001".
  2. ^ "Our Campaigns - OK District 1 - Special D Primary Race - Dec 11, 2001".
  3. ^ "Our Campaigns - OK District 1 - Special Race - Jan 08, 2002".