Gilmer and Turner slated for Oklahoma runoff (7-3-46)

The Evening Star (July 3, 1946)

Gilmer and Turner slated for Oklahoma runoff

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Dixie Gilmer, Tulsa County prosecutor, came from behind in Oklahoma’s Democratic gubernatorial primary today to climb into second place and apparently cinch a place in the July 23 runoff with Roy J. Turner, oil man and rancher.

Mr. Turner’s lead, meanwhile, mounted near the 50,000 mark. As the last precinct counts began to pour in, most of them from Mr. Gilmer’s stronghold, the Tulsan overcame a margin maintained all night by H. C. Jones, former internal revenue collector, who dropped into third place on the basis of returns today.

The latest count from 3,329 of 3,701 precincts gave Mr. Turner 124,214; Mr. Gilmer, 77,077, and Mr. Jones, 71,812.

On the Republican side, Olney P. Flynn, former mayor of Tulsa, oil man and son of a territorial delegate to Congress, apparently had won a clear majority over his two opponents to go directly into the November general election with the Democratic nominee.

Congressional races in Oklahoma produced no surprises. Four incumbents apparently won without the necessity for a runoff. They were Republican George B. Schwabe of Tulsa and Democrat Mike Monroney of Oklahoma City, who won wide majorities over the fields opposing them, while Republican Ross Rizley of Guyman, and Democrat W. G. Stigler of Stigler each won handily over one opponent.

Three other incumbents face runoff opponents. They, with their apparent second-primary foes, are Lyle Boren, incumbent, and Lunsford P. Livingston, real estate man, both of Seminole; Jed Johnson of Anadarko, incumbent, and Toby Morris, Lawton district judge; Victor Wickersham of Mangum, incumbent, and Preston E. Peden of Altus, attorney, all Democrats.

In the hotly fought Democratic race to succeed Rep. Paul Stewart, retiring Democrat, Bill Steger, Durant, and Carl Albert, McAlster, both attorneys, apparently will fight it out in the runoff.

The Pittsburgh Press (July 3, 1946)

Oklahoma race led by oilman

OKLAHOMA CITY (UP) – Roy J. Turner. wealthy Oklahoma oilman and cattleman, held a commanding lead in the race for the Democratic nomination for governor today, but a runoff election appeared a certainty.

In returns from all but 652 of the state’s 3,701 precincts Mr. Turner was 47,780 votes ahead of his nearest opponents, Dixie Gilmer, young Tulsa attorney, and H. C. Jones, former U.S. internal revenue collector.

An apparently secure place in the runoff election was gained by Attorney Gilmer.

Rep. Mike Monroney coasted to an easy majority in the Fifth District, as did Rep. W. G. Stigler in the Second District.

Republican Congressman Ross Risley of the Eighth District held a four-to-one lead over his lone rival, while Oklahoma’s second GOP House member, Rep. George Schwabe, had more than twice as many votes as his two opponents combined.

The other three incumbent congressmen, Rep. Lyle Boren of the Fourth District, veteran Jed Johnson in the Sixth District, and Rep. Victor Wickersham of the Seventh District, held slight leads. All three face runoff opponents.

Bill Steger and former State Rep. Bayless Irby were running a close race for the post held by Rep. Paul Stewart, who did not seek re-election.

In the Republican gubernatorial primary, Olney F. Flynn, former Tulsa mayor, was far in the lead and appeared to have enough votes to escape a runoff.