Oklahoma City Democrat wins state Senate seat left vacant by former leader’s departure
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
February 14, 2012
OKLAHOMA CITY — Democrats in Oklahoma City have kept a downtown-area Senate seat in their party’s hands.
Voters on Tuesday selected state Rep. Al McAffrey of Oklahoma City to replace former Senate leader Andrew Rice in the upper chamber of the Legislature. McAffrey defeated Republican Jason Reese 66.6 percent to 33.4 percent, according to unofficial results compiled by the state Election Board.
Senate District 46 covers much of downtown Oklahoma City. Republicans still outnumber Democrats in the Senate 31-16, with one vacancy.
The election was one of four legislative seats considered in a special election Tuesday, including House seats in southeastern Oklahoma and Tulsa and a Senate seat in north-central Oklahoma.
Gov. Mary Fallin will have to call a special election to fill McAffrey’s seat in the House. Rice moved out of state.
