Griffin wins special election primary for Senate
Despite not winning her own county, Ann “AJ” Griffin will represent the Republican party in the April election for the Senate District 20 seat.
Griffin, a Guthrie native, won the special election primary Tuesday evening with 2,211 votes, or 40% of the vote. She will be a heavy favorite against Democrat Magnus W.T. Scott Sr. of Langston in the general election.
The former school teacher edged out three competitors in her first attempt to run for a political office. Evangelist Wayne Murphey finished second with 1,824 votes (30%), Phil Berkenbile calculated 1,285 (23.25) votes and Chris Humphreys with 208 (3.76%).
Pawnee and Kingfisher counties helped push Griffin’s campaign past Murphey, father of state Rep. Jason Murphey, by gaining 303 additional votes. Murphey took Logan County with 286 more votes than Griffin (1502-1216).
Berkenbile, director of the state CareerTech system, took Noble County with 118 more votes than Griffin (527-409).
The post became vacant when Sen. David Myers, R-Ponca City, died Nov. 11.
