While tomorrow’s Republican primaries in 13 states seem to be down to Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, Oklahomans will see a dozen candidates on their ballots, many of whom officially dropped out of the race.
Tulsa County Republican Party Chair Mike Ford said some party members may end up voting for candidates they liked but are no longer running, such as Mike Huckabee or Rick Santorum.
"If they vote for the candidate that was on the ballot at first, obviously that would help Trump by them not voting for a, you know, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio or [John] Kasich," Ford said.
Ford said even though some Republican party groups are coming out against Trump, Oklahoma parties will support the eventual nominee.
Recent polling indicates Trump, Cruz and Rubio will each get a share of the state’s 43 delegates. Delegates are apportioned to candidates receiving at least 15 percent of the vote. A Monmouth University Super Tuesday poll has 35 percent of likely Republican voters supporting Trump, 23 percent supporting Cruz and 22 percent supporting Rubio.
Kasich and Carson had 8 and 7 percent of likely Republican voters in the poll. Just 4 percent of respondents said they were undecided.
Ford hopes interest in the presidential primary draws more people than usual for the sheriff special primary election, which is also tomorrow. Republicans are choosing a potential lawman and member of the county budget board.
"So, it's a huge responsibility," Ford said. "It's an executive position as well as a law enforcement position, and voters need to really get familiar with who these guys are and make a good choice."
There are nine sheriff candidates on Republican ballots. The special general election for sheriff is in April.
