Rice concedes defeat in Senate bid
State Sen. Andrew Rice lost his hard-fought race against the longtime Republican incumbent, Jim Inhofe. Rice conceded defeat to Inhofe by phone shortly after 9 p.m. and spoke to an otherwise jubilant crowd at the Democratic watch party at 9:28 p.m.
He remained upbeat in his remarks to supporters.
“The senator ran a very aggressive, negative campaign, and he did so very early, which put us on the defensive,” Rice later told reporters. “We had to spend a lot of our money. We raised $3 million. Spent all of it.”
Despite the outcome, he said he is happy, especially about poll results suggesting Obama will win the election.
“I think his approach to government is what our country needs,” he said.
Rice said he will serve his remaining two years as a state senator and “when I’m done with that, I’ll figure out what I want to do. It may be that I’m not in politics at all. I don’t know.”
– Staff Writer Ken Raymond
CBS, CNN project Obama as president elect
This one doesn’t seem to be in doubt as Obama is projected to have more than enough electoral votes to become America’s first black president.
Soda or Grey Goose?
Republicans had plenty to celebrate at their watch party in northwest Oklahoma City, particularly their takeover of the state Senate. So what is the drink of choice at the bar here at the Marriott Hotel? Soda. The second most popular drink: vodka. Grey Goose is the most requested at both cash bars.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Fallin addresses fellow Republicans
U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin thanked everyone under the sun moments ago at the Republican watch party in northwest Oklahoma City. She was cheered several times throughout her acceptance speech.
She said she plans to continue her push for a strong national defense, improved health care, lower taxes and limited government. She said she is willing to work with whomever is elected president, but she said she’s willing to fight for what she described as Oklahoma values.
“These are all things I’m going to go back and fight for on your behalf,” she said. “I’m still holding out hope for Sen. John McCain, but it is a tough election night for Republicans around our nation.”
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Another red state turns blue
AP reports that Obama won Virginia. This was a Bush state in 2004.
Edmond tax goes down
Edmond public safety center tax going down in defeat
EDMOND — A proposal to raise property taxes for the next 10 years to build a $31.5 million Public Safety Center failed, city officials conceded an hour after the polls closed Tuesday.
Corporation commission update
One incumbent Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner is cruising to victory tonight.
The key to the determining the winner of the other race could be an urban vote that still mostly is out.
Republican Jeff Cloud, running for re-election to a six-year term, leads opponent Charles Gray by more than 100,000 votes with about half the precincts counted.
Commissioner Jim Roth, meanwhile, an appointed commissioner who is running in a special election to fill Denise Bode’s old seat, is less than a percentage point behind his challenger, Republican Dana Murphy.
But only about 10 percent of Tulsa’s precincts are counted, and only about half of the Oklahoma City area’s precincts are in.
AP: Sullivan a winner
John Sullivan, GOP, elected U.S. House, District 1, Oklahoma.
State senators cheered by GOP
The new Republican state senators are gathering on stage, and everyone is cheering the first Republican state Senate in years. U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin is still mingling with the crowd, and word has it she’s supposed to be speaking soon. There have also been Dana Murphy sightings, and everyone’s anxiously awaiting her speech as well. That race is still too close to call.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Halligan up at halfway point
State Senator, District 21
Jim Halligan 7578 56.84%
Bob Murphy 5754 43.16%
20 of 43 precincts reporting
