40 votes separate candidates in Democratic primary runoff

Oklahoma City (AP) — The two men hoping to become the first Democrat in more than four decades to represent the Oklahoma City area in Congress were separated by just 40 votes after unofficial returns were counted in their primary runoff, raising the prospect of a recount.

Former state Sen. Al McAffrey held a narrow edge late Tuesday in unofficial returns over retired university professor Tom Guild for the Democratic nomination in central Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District. With all 273 precincts reporting unofficial results, McAffrey was ahead by less than one quarter of 1 percent of the more than 16,000 votes cast.

There is no automatic recount based on margin of victory, and Guild said late Tuesday he hadn't decided whether he would seek one.

"I haven't had time to think things through on that possibility yet," he wrote in a text message to The Associated Press.

Guild would have to pay about $2,700 to seek a recount, said Oklahoma Election Board spokesman Bryan Dean. In the case of a successful challenge, Guild would get the money back.

If McAffrey's lead holds, he will face Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Russell, who's seeking a second two-year term, and Libertarian Zachary Knight in the Nov. 8 general election for the seat that includes most of Oklahoma County and all of Pottawatomie and Seminole counties.

McAffrey, who was the first openly gay person ever elected to the Oklahoma Legislature when he won a state House seat in 2006, is vying to become the first Democrat to represent the district in more than 40 years. Democrat John Jarman represented the district for more than two decades before switching to Republican in 1975. It's been in GOP hands ever since.

"I'm very proud of the people who worked with me, volunteered, walked the district with me," McAffrey said from his watch party in Oklahoma City. "My message is, it's time that everyone in (the district) is represented equally, regardless of party or personal belief."

McAffrey and Guild are familiar foes. McAffrey defeated Guild in a 2014 primary runoff before losing to Russell.

In state legislative races on Tuesday, a former Ada mayor endorsed by a pro-education group of parents and teachers defeated a cowboy turned reality show contestant for the Republican nomination in a race for an open Oklahoma Senate seat in central Oklahoma.

Business owner Greg McCortney defeated "The Amazing Race" contestant Jet McCoy in the GOP primary runoff for the seat that includes the cities of Ada and Pauls Valley. McCortney was one of several GOP state Senate candidates endorsed by the group Oklahoma Parents and Educators for Public Education who won runoffs on Tuesday.

"I think it sent a very strong message to parents and teachers that there was a difference between the two of us," said McCortney, the owner of a hospice company and a member of the Ada City Council. "I think it definitely was something that pushed me over the edge."

The only state Senate candidate the group endorsed who lost was Lisa Kramer of Bixby, who was defeated by Joe Newhouse of Broken Arrow, in a race to replace term-limited state Sen. Mike Mazzei.

Elections were held in 58 of Oklahoma's 77 counties, including some countywide races and local school and municipal elections. There were no statewide races.

By Sean Murphy, Associated Press. Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Gayly – August 24, 2016 @ 7:10 a.m.