GOP candidate easily wins state Senate seat vacated by Bice
April 7, 2021
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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A state Senate seat vacated by now-U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice will remain in GOP control.
Republican Jake Merrick of Yukon easily won the Senate District 22 special election Tuesday, capturing more than 65% of the vote against Democrat Molly Ooten. The heavily Republican district stretches across parts of north Oklahoma City, Edmond, Piedmont and Yukon.
Merrick, 39, is a conservative Republican who has opposed coronavirus-related shutdowns and wants to make abortion illegal in Oklahoma. He will serve the remainder of Bice’s term, which expires in 2022.
With Merrick's election, Republicans have a 39-9 advantage over Democrats in the Senate.