National Democratic group focusing on two Oklahoma legislative races this fall

A national organization, charged with electing Democratic lawmakers to state legislatures, announced it was spotlighting two Oklahoma races this year.

The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee said it was targeting Erin Brewer in Senate District 47 and Chaunté Gilmore in House District 100. "These strong Democratic candidates provide opportunities to flip competitive seats and combat the GOP majorities in the House and Senate," the organization said in a media statement.

The DLCC did not say it would contribute money to the campaigns, but said it would feature the candidates in messages to potential donors.

“Oklahoma Republicans’ aggressive assaults on reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ freedoms will only come to an end by building Democratic power in the state legislature, DLCC President Heather Williams said. "The DLCC is shining a light on two Oklahomans who are dedicated to safeguarding Oklahomans' rights and freedoms and standing up against divisive Republican policies to build a more equitable state. Their campaigns are essential to counter the Republican extremism that threatens Oklahomans. The DLCC is excited to champion these bold candidates as we work to strengthen Democratic power in all corners of the country.”

What to know about Oklahoma Democratic candidates Erin Brewer and Chaunté Gilmore

Brewer, 48, is running for a northwest Oklahoma City Senate seat held by Republican leader Greg Treat, who had reached his term limit. She was unopposed in the Democratic primary, and will face in November one of two Republican candidates competing in a primary runoff election August 27. Kelly Hines, 56, a retired Army officer and an aviation training consultant from Edmond, is running against Jenny Schmitt, 42, an OKC nurse anesthetist. Hines got 37% of the Republican vote in the primary against Schmitt's 3l%.

Gilmore, an OKC physical therapist and leader of several civic organizations, is seeking to capture a House seat that is also in the northwest part of the city. She easily won the Democratic primary with 70% of the vote over Cyndi Parish, an OKC teacher. She will once again face Marilyn Stark 62, the incumbent Representative seeking her fourth term, in the general election. Stark, executive director of Love Link Ministries, was also unopposed in the primary. She defeated Gilmore by about 1,000 votes in the 2022 general election.

Williams said Republicans in Oklahoma’s legislative majorities this year wielded their power to advance some of the most extreme anti-abortion legislation in the country, including bills that could have threatened emergency contraception and IUDs, created a statewide database tracking women who received an abortion, and criminalized the transportation of abortion medication.

She pointed to comments by Oklahoma State Sen. Tom Wood, R-Westville, earlier this year as an example of how the Oklahoma GOP created a dangerous landscape for LGBTQ+ people. This spring, Woods spoke at a public meeting and referred to LGBTQ+ Oklahomans as “filth."

House Minority Leader Cindy Munson said Democratic candidates in Oklahoma are on the front lines of the fight to break the Republican supermajority in our Legislature.

"Every day they are talking to voters about the issues that matter to them the most - our public schools, healthcare, and ending right-wing extremism. I see their hard work in their campaigns every day and know that they are essential to bringing balance to our Legislature and fight for everyday Oklahomans.”

Many Oklahoma voters will return to the polls on Aug. 27 for the primary runoff election.