Oklahoma Voters Cast Their Ballots in Multiple High-Profile Races

Standing outside Hideaway Pizza in Oklahoma City’s historic Automotive Alley district, Republican U.S. Senate candidate and 2nd Congressional District Rep. Markwayne Mullin moves from one TV news interview to another on primary day afternoon.

One videographer asks the entrepreneur and former professional Mixed Martial Arts Fighter to provide comments as if he had just won the race so the interview can air tonight. The affable Mullin smiles and politely declines, saying “I can’t talk about something that hasn’t happened yet.”

According to polls, Mullin is the frontrunner in the race to replace 87-year-old Republican Sen. Jim Inhofe, who took office in 1994 and was elected to a fifth term in 2020. He announced in February 2022 that he would retire, effective January 3, 2023.

Thirteen candidates are on the GOP primary ballot. If no Republican candidate surpasses 50 percent of the vote, a runoff election between the top two vote-getters will take place on Aug. 23, 2022.

Inside Hideaway Pizza, Mullin and his campaign team hosted an election day kickoff party that stretched from late morning to early afternoon. Mullin thanked a crowded room of supporters and, in interviews with the media, encouraged Oklahomans to head to the polls.

“When there is a race with 13 people on the ballot, every vote literally counts. We are going to be out talking to people until the polls close (7 p.m. CST),” Mullin said. “I know people are busy. It’s the middle of summer, and families have their commitments, but we have a duty to show up and vote. It’s the only way we will take this country back from President Biden and his Socialist agenda.”

Among the multiple businesses Mullin operates is Mullin Ranch, where he raises cattle, so he is accustomed to early mornings. On June 28, the lifelong eastern Oklahoma