Democrat Amanda Clinton Posts Massive Over-Performance in Oklahoma Special Election
Three special elections occurred today to fill vacancies in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
The special elections occurred today in Oklahoma to fill three vacancies in the State House of Representatives. The Democratic and Republican candidates in two of the races were selected through primaries in April and runoffs in May. Meanwhile, only two Democrats filed to compete in the third contest. As such, the primary was cancelled.
The special election for Oklahoma State House District 71 was called after State Representative Amanda Swope, a Democrat, resigned to become Director of the Tulsa Office of Tribal Policy and Partnerships. She represented this district from November 2022 to January 2025. She was re-elected unopposed in November 2024.
State House District 71 resides entirely within the city of Tulsa, covering Riverside Drive from downtown to just past 71st Street. During the 2024 presidential election, Democrat Kamala Harris carried the district by a 58-39 margin against Republican Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, the special election for Oklahoma State House District 74 was called after State Representative Mark Vancuren, a Republican, resigned to become a Deputy Commissioner of Tulsa County. He represented this district from November 2018 to January 2025. He was re-elected 76.2-23.8 against Independent Aaron Brent in November 2024.
State House District 74 resides in the city of Owasso in Tulsa County and also features part of Collinsville. During the 2024 presidential election, Trump won the district by a 70-28 margin against Harris.
Furthermore, the special election for Oklahoma State House District 97 was called after State Representative Jason Lowe, a Democrat, won a special election for the Oklahoma County Board of Commissioners. He represented this district from November 2016 to April 2025. He was re-elected unopposed in November 2024.
State House District 97 encompasses parts of northeast Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma House of Representatives (81 Republicans, 20 Democrats):
For District 71, Democrat Amanda Clinton won with 84.7% (1,803) against Republican Beverly Atteberry with 15.3% (326). 2,129 votes counted.
For District 74, Republican Kevin Wayne Norwood won with 64.6% (1,726) against Democrat Amy Hossain with 35.4% (945). 2,671 votes counted.
For District 97, Democrat Aletia Timmons won with 59.1% (1,224) against Democrat JeKia Harrison with 40.9% (848). 2,072 votes counted.
Republicans were guaranteed to maintain supermajority control of the legislative chamber regardless of the outcomes in these special elections. Nevertheless, the results in Districts 71 and 74 show stronger Democratic performances than the presidential election last year - a trend that has been true of a majority of special elections throughout the country in 2025. In fact, Clinton’s 50% over-performance was the second-history in any special election anywhere in the nation this year.
All 101 seats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives will next be up for regular two-year terms in November 2026.