A voter places his ballot in a voting machine on Aug. 27 at a polling location in St. Luke’s Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma voters on Tuesday sent three state lawmakers into early retirement.
Oklahoma House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, lost his primary runoff to Jim Shaw of Chandler.
Shaw was not available for comment.
Shaw will take the office as no Libertarian, Democrat or independent filed for House District 32.
Shaw garnered 54.35% of the vote.
Wallace appeared to be in trouble when he was forced into a runoff.
The change leaves a growing experience void in the state budget process. Wallace was a key budget negotiator for the House.
Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, was removed late in session. Hedecided to resign his seat, taking a job in the private sector.
Sen. Blake Cowboy Stephens, R-Tahlequah, lost his bid for reelection to Julie McIntosh, R-Porter. McIntosh garnered 60.75%.