OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) — The Oklahoma State Election Board held a special meeting Thursday to hear two 2026 contests of candidacy—Ranson v. Riley (Cause No. 2026-02) for State Representative, District 34, and Hasenbeck v. Pugh (Cause No. 2026-03) for Superintendent of Public Instruction—with deliberations conducted in executive session as noticed on the board agenda.
Ranson v. Riley (Cause No. 2026-02) — Riley removed
In Ranson v. Riley, the petition alleged the contestee was not qualified because he was not a registered voter of House District 34 for the six months immediately preceding the filing period, citing Title 14 O.S. § 108.
The board voted 3-0 in open session to sustain the petition and strike the contestee from the ballot. A written order is expected to follow.
Hasenbeck v. Pugh (Cause No. 2026-03) — Pugh retained
In Hasenbeck v. Pugh, the petition challenged Sen. Adam Pugh’s eligibility under the Oklahoma Constitution’s “emoluments” clause (Okla. Const. Art. 5, § 23), arguing the office sought is one “the emoluments of which shall have been increased” during the legislator’s term.
After executive-session deliberations, the board voted 3-0 in open session to deny the petition and retain Pugh as a candidate on the ballot. The board indicated it would prepare a formal written order and that costs would be assessed to the petitioner.
“I just first want to thank the board, really, for acting swiftly and fairly and justly,” Pugh said. “I’m relieved, obviously, and it’s time to be back on the campaign trail, which I will be tonight.”
Withdrawn contests (no hearing action)
The Election Board’s published list of 2026 contests also shows three matters that were withdrawn and therefore not decided on the merits at Thursday’s hearing:
- 2026-01 Timmons v. Jones (State Representative, District 97): “Jones has withdrawn/Contest withdrawn by petitioner.”
- 2026-04 Banning v. Sutterfield (State Representative, District 24): “Contest withdrawn by petitioner.”
- 2026-05 Roberts v. Gau (State Representative, District 83): “Contest withdrawn by petitioner.”
