Brian Bingman didn’t get a million votes in his bid to become Oklahoma’s newest Corporation Commissioner, but he came close.
The final unofficial count, according to the Oklahoma Election Board, gave the former state Senate President a total of 978,870 votes or 63.68% of the 1,537,252 votes cast in the statewide election.
He was chosen to serve a six-year term, called it a “solid victory” and told Oklahoma Voice, “Now the hard work begins. I can’t wait to meet all the Oklahoma Corporation Commission employees and jump right into the business at hand.”
Bingman swept the field and the combination of votes for his challengers, Democrat Harold Spradling and Libertarian Chad Williams, was only slight more than half of the votes he received.
Spradling, 80-year old former Republican turned Democrat, received 444,254 votes or 28.90%.
Williams received 114,128 votes or 7.42%.
While early voting drew the headlines in weeks before the national presidential race, it appeared Oklahomans still like to turn out on election day. Of the 1.5 million votes cast in the Corporation Commission race, 1,147,864 came on election day and Bingman received 738,841 of those.
Absentee votes totaled 100,610 and early voting numbers were 288,778 .
| CHAD WILLIAMS (LIB) | 6,343 | 16,109 | 91,676 | 114,128 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. BRIAN BINGMAN (REP) | 50,540 | 189,489 | 738,841 | 978,870 |
|
| HAROLD D SPRADLING (DEM) | 43,727 | 83,180 | 317,347 | 444,254 |
|
| Total | 100,610 | 288,778 | 1,147,864 | 1,537,252 |
Bingman will take office in January and replace Bob Anthony who has served since he was first-elected in 1988 to the Corporation Commission. He will also be the third former Republican legislative leader to become a state regulator, joining former House Speaker Todd Hiett and former Senate majority leader Kim David.
Commissioner David issued a statement of congratulations to Bingman Wednesday morning.
“I want to congratulate Commissioner-Elect Brian Bingman, my friend, former Senate colleague, and now future Corporation Commission colleague, on his election last night! I look forward to working with him as we continue making Oklahoma the best state. Commissioner-Elect Bingman will be filling the seat that has long been held by Commissioner Bob Anthony.”
A similar statement came from Commissioner Hiett.
“Commissioner-elect Bingman will provide extraordinary leadership in his new role at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Brian is an individual of exceptional integrity and a proven record of public service. I look forward to serving with him to promote the safe regulation of our state’s largest industries while safeguarding its natural resources for the benefit of future generations.”
The Oklahoma Election Board described the results as “unofficial, unverified” and said the count did not include provisional ballot results until after 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8. The board explained the results were subject to contest and recount and were neither final nor official until they are certified by the election board.
