Statewide, Federal Races: 15 File for Governor, Oklahoma Auditor Wins by Default

Hundreds of candidates file for Oklahoma office, setting up contested races for House and Senate

Vicki Werneke poses for a photo after filing as a Democratic candidate for House District 92 on April 3, 2026 at the state Capitol. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)OKLAHOMA CITY — After successfully completing the gauntlet of registration paperwork, Kenny Smith smiled and posed for pictures with his grandchildren who had waited patiently by his side as he filed for legislative office. The 68-year-old Gore resident filed to challenge sitting…

Statewide, federal races: 15 file for governor, Oklahoma auditor wins by default

Oklahomans can expect quite a shakeup in the 2026 election, with open seats for U.S. Senate, governor, attorney general, state superintendent of public instruction, the 1st Congressional District and more drawing a crowd atop voters’ ballots. When candidate filing closed Friday, however, one statewide post was won by default. Melissa Capps, a longtime employee in […] The post Statewide, federal races: 15 file for governor, Oklahoma auditor wins …