Heated Senate Race Brews In Edmond Hours Before GOP Primary

The race for an Edmond state senate seat was still heating up hours before the Oklahoma Republican primaries.

State senate district 41 is home to perhaps one of the most heavily contested races in the state. Senator Clark Jolley is in the political fight of his life against political newcomer Paul Blair.

It's only the primaries, but yard signs are flooding Oklahoma. That's because, in many areas of the state and especially in south Edmond's conservative Senate district, the Republican primary is the election to win.

"The only way to get elected now is not Democrat versus Republican but inside of a Republican primary," State Sen. Clark Jolley said.

Jolley spent Monday calling voters. He has served eight years in the senate and wants four more.

"[Jolley] said all the right things eight years ago, but he hasn't followed through with them … that's why I'm running," senate candidate Paul Blair said.

Blair is a Baptist pastor in Edmond. He says the Republican platform and Jolley are off course and it's time for change. Jolley is standing by his record.

"What we've been focusing on is track record of proved leadership," Jolley said.

Both men are well known in Edmond and agree the race has been tough. So tough that a political action committee has produced an ad claiming Blair violated tax laws.

"All of its bologna," Blair said. "It's just that Chicago-style politics … try to annihilate your opponent by destroying his reputation."

Jolley did not fund the ad, but Blair believes Jolley has some connection to it. So, Blair is fighting back.

"It's our understanding that a lawsuit has been filed," Jolley said. "I think that's regrettable."

Chicago politics or not, both men want voters to know they are from the same party but are two very different candidates.

Polls in Oklahoma will open at 7 a.m. Tuesday and close at 7 p.m. News 9 will be providing Tuesday's election results on KWTV News 9 and on News9.com.