By Michael Pineda

When the final vote was tabulated in the county Republican primary races, there was one winner, one runoff and two candidates headed toward a possible drawing to win office.

Kelly Brawley’s watch party Tuesday remained upbeat throughout the evening as a lead in early voting held true throughout the evening to win a four-year term as the Carter County Clerk. Brawley received 3,550 votes (71.3%) to Lindsey Armstrong’s 1,301 votes (28.7%).

All votes are unofficial until certified at 5 p.m. Friday afternoon.

Owen Longest and Kalub Miller advanced into a runoff in the Carter County Commission District 2 race, but it was the Carter County Sheriff’s race that drew a buzz. With 5,138 votes cast, Incumbent Chris Bryant and DJ Long each received 2,569 votes.

That left many wondering what comes next. According to the state election board, the provisional ballots will need to be certified. Those results will be released to the public at 2 p.m. Friday. There were five provisional ballots, of which all could be void or all could be counted. 

The next option for Bryant and Long would be to ask for a recount. Should that take place, the recount would be conducted by hand. If the two candidates are tied after a recount, the election would be decided by a drawing according to Oklahoma State Statute 26-8-105.

Long said there was disbelief when the final precinct reported in with the tie.

“I felt in my heart we would win, but it would be close,” he said. “Fifty-fifty, that was a good one.”

Bryant held an early lead, but it was the western half of Carter County that pulled Long even by the end of the evening.

“Everything went as expected,” he said. “I had anticipated it would be a close race all the way around, and I thought we would pull through. Obviously, everybody ran out of momentum.”

“A provisional ballot is one that does not go into the E-scan,” Carter County Election Board President Diane Hall said. “It is not counted at that time. The different reasons are if they don’t have proof of ID. If they are in the wrong precinct. If they are not registered at all or if there is a school or city dispute. And then if there is the political party dispute. 

Bryant said there was also disbelief at his watch party.

“First and foremost, I want to thank all my supporters,” Bryant said. “I appreciate their faith and trust in me to serve as their Carter County Sheriff. I look forward to serving them another four years.”

Bryant added that he has been in Carter County since 1994 and has been proud to raise his two children in the place he calls home.

“Carter County has been good to my family, and I am honored to represent the citizens of this county on a local, state and federal level.”

Hall said the last recount was in 2014 when Jerry Alvord edged Dale Ott in a county commission race. The last time a drawing decided an election was for a Lone Grove council seat around 2011 she added.

In the county commissioner race, Longest received 553 votes (38.43%) and Miller received 491 votes (34.12%). Incumbent Bill Baker received 395 votes (27.45%). Because a candidate failed to receive 50% of the vote, the top two, Longest and Miller, will enter into a runoff election, which will be Aug. 27.

Miller said he was thankful for the good turnout and was hopeful there will be a better one in August.

“I have been a lifelong resident of Carter County,” Miller said. “It is a good place to live, and I am raising two boys here.

“I have met a lot of good people and I appreciate everyone’s support. I am looking forward to knocking on doors.”

Longest also thanked those who supported him during the campaign and at the ballot box.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your overwhelming support and confidence in me during this election,” he said. “Your dedication and belief in our shared vision have brought us to this crucial moment.

“To the voters of Carter County District 2, I would like to extend an invitation to join us as we move forward into the runoff election. Your voice and perspectives are important to me, and I am committed to representing the interests and ideas of all Carter County citizens. Together we can build a stronger, more united community.”

As the votes continued to pour in at the Copper Room, it became clear that the Brawley watch party would become a celebration. Votes were tracked on a board throughout the evening as the excitement began to build.

“I am excited and relieved,” Brawley said. “I have been pretty calm. It has been a good day actually.”

Brawley, who has worked in the clerk’s office for 24 years, the last eight as the first assistant, said she is not a center of attention person who enjoys doing the work and taking care of customers.

“I love my job,” she said.

Kayelyn Jackson, who currently serves as the clerk, announced she would not seek reelection prior to the filing period and will assist Brawley as she takes on a new leadership role. Brawley said she expects the transition to be smooth.

“Kayelyn is going to train me in the stuff I have not done as much and get me ready for the full transition,” she said.

Brawley will take office in January 2025.