Oct 11, 2011

Republican Greg Childers claimed the District 43 State Senate in today's special election, beating Democrat Kenneth Meador by nearly 21%. As expected, turnout was low with just 3,038 voters casting ballots. The final tally was 1,836 for Childers to 1,202 for Meador.

 

Childers said he is humbled by the results, "Right now I'm just trying to take it all in. I'm just so appreciative of the folks who've put their faith in us. I'm really excited and just so very appreciative of their votes."

 

It's Childers' first political campaign and the senator-elect says he can't wait to get started.

 

"There's a lot of work to do," said Childers, "We want to get pre-k started for all the kids in our district. We want to get our work force in good shape and create jobs. We want to make it as easy as possible for businesses to get going and hire people and that means less government."

 

Childers also took time to congratulate his opponent on his campaign.

 

"He ran a good race. I wish him the very best," said Childers.

 

Meador, also a first-time candidate,congratulated Childers on the win and says he encourages him to follow through on his campaign promises.

 

"Senator-elect Childers made a lot of promises. I hope he honors his commitments to the firefighters, teachers, and all of the groups he made those promises to," said Meador, "I'm sure he'll do a great job for the people of the state of Oklahoma."

 

Meador said he was also grateful for those who helped him in this campaign.

 

"It was a great race. We had great volunteers," said Meador, "We also had great support from the Democratic party. We're going to keep looking at what we can do in the future. We didn't win this race, but we will win in the future."

 

Childers won the GOP primary back in July, beating Theresa Nelson. Turnout for that primary was extremely low.  Meador was the only Democrat who filed for the District 43 seat, so he avoided a primary. The senate seat became available when State Senator Jim Reynolds resigned to assume a new position as Cleveland County's treasurer. Reynolds was elected to the post last November.

 

The other interesting dynamic about the term Childers will serve is that it is essentially a one-year term. With a new redistricting plan going into effect for the 2012 election cycle, the District 43 lines will be redrawn and moved further south to cover all or parts of Garvin, Grady, McLain and Stephens counties. Childers has said he'll consider moving south and running for re-election in the district.