Washita County voters will have some decisions to make in 2020.
The candidate filing period for the 2020 election cycle ended April 10, and in addition to selecting the President of the United States for the next four years, county voters will weigh in on one United States Senate seat, one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, Oklahoma House District 55, Washita County Commissioner for District 2, and the Clerk of the District Court for Washita County. Two county officers, Sheriff Roger Reeve and County Clerk Kristen Dowell, will be reelected without opposition.
The race for the U.S. Senate is shaping up to be the most hotly contested of this year’s races, as the incumbent, Sen. James Inhofe, is facing 10 challengers, including three from his own party. JJ Stitt, John Tompkins, and Neil Mavis will be competing with Inhofe for the Republican Party nomination. Sheila Bilyeu, Abby Broyles, Elysabeth Britt, and R.O. Joe Cassity, Jr. are all seeking the Democratic nomination. Independents Joan Farr and A.D. Nesbit and Libertarian Robert Murphy have also filed for the seat.
U.S. Representative Frank Lucas has filed for reelection to his seat and is being challenged by Democrat Zoe Midyett. In the Oklahoma legislature, Republican Rep. Todd Russ has filed for what would be his final term. He is being challenged by Democrat Austin Gipson-Black.
Incumbent County Commissioner Leo Goeringer is seeking reelection this year on the Republican ticket. Democrat Stephen Taylor has filed for the seat as well.
Incumbent Clerk of the District County Lynda Vermillion is facing two challengers. Cindy McGuire, another Republican, will face Vermillion in the June 30 primary, with the winner moving on to face Kim Batt, a Democrat, in the general election Nov. 3.
Washita County Election Board Secretary Leah Jones said despite the current COVID-19 crisis, the elections are, at the present time, moving forward as scheduled, but advised that voters apply for mail ballots for the entire year to avoid any risk of contagion.