OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The chairman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party says a special election is needed in the 2nd Congressional District following the death of the party's candidate just days before the general election.
Republican Congressman Markwayne Mullin received 70 percent of the vote in Tuesday's general election. But Democratic Party Chairman Wallace Collins said Friday he believes state law requires that a special election be called due to the November 2nd death of the Democratic candidate, Earl Everett.
State law calls for a special election if a candidate's death occurs more than five days after the runoff election. It authorizes political parties to replace deceased candidates, and Wallace says the party's central committee will meet Saturday to pick one.
Republican Party Chairman Dave Weston says the party opposes a special election.