Oklahoma is one of three states holding key primary races next Tuesday, with newly appointed House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole 's (R-OK) contest drawing more fireworks than the district has seen in years. Oklahoma is one of several Republican strongholds with competitive primaries for House seats in 2024 as Democrats look to flip the lower chamber back to their side and the GOP seeks to expand its razor-thin majority. Notable House races next week include Cole's in the 4th Congressional District and Rep.
Frank Lucas's (R-OK) race in the 3rd District. Eyes are on the 4th District in particular, as Cole recently took the helm of one of the most powerful House committees. Cole prepares for competitive primary fight Cole, who has held his seat since the 2002 election, is one of the last remaining members of the Republican Party's establishment wing.
He took on the powerful role as the new chairman of the Appropriations Committee in April after outgoing Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX) stepped down from the position, hours after the House passed the final set of appropriations bills for fiscal 2024. The Oklahoma Republican has faced several primary challengers, some of them competitive, over the last two decades, but the congressman has always won by comfortable margins.
Last election cycle, he defeated his opponent by over 40 points. This year, Cole faces four GOP primary challengers, with the top opponent emerging as Paul Bondar. Bondar is a wealthy insurance broker who us.
