Oklahoma Corporation Commission election results 2026: Boles wins seat

Republican Brad Boles defeated Democrat Rhonda Eastman on Tuesday, Nov. 3, to win a six-year term on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC), the three-member body that regulates the state's utilities, oil and gas industry and transportation companies.

Oklahoma Voice reported Boles' victory. With 79% of precincts reporting, Boles led by about 19 percentage points, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Results are unofficial. Raw vote totals were not yet available from the sources at the time of publication. The Oklahoma State Election Board will post updated unofficial results as county boards report. Provisional ballots will not be included until after 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6. State and federal results are scheduled for certification on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Victory speech

Boles made his victory speech at the Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City, where he thanked his family for supporting him as he traveled "thousands of miles campaigning," Oklahoma Voice reported.

"We have a lot of challenges in Oklahoma," Boles said, according to Oklahoma Voice. "Our electricity demand is going to double over the next 10 to 15 years, and it's our job to make sure we have a reliable grid and an affordable grid."

Boles will take office Jan. 11, 2027, succeeding Commissioner Todd Hiett, who cannot run again due to term limits, according to Oklahoma Voice. Commissioners earn an annual salary of $150,000.

What's at stake

All three commission seats have been held by Republicans since 2009, The Frontier reported. The OCC holds hearings when utility companies seek to raise rates Oklahomans pay for electricity, gas and water, according to News On 6. Commissioners serve six-year terms and can fine companies that violate state pollution laws, The Frontier reported.

The race came as the commission prepared to vote on a Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) rate increase. Fox 23 reported the commission scheduled a Nov. 3 vote on a proposed PSO rate hike that would raise total bills by at least 1.5% across all customer classes.

The candidates

Boles, of Marlow, has served in the Oklahoma House since 2018 and chaired the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, according to Oklahoma Voice. He previously served as mayor of Marlow, NonDoc reported. He also ran Wilco, a manufacturing company, before selling it in 2018. In the Legislature, he authored a bill to require new data centers to pay for their own construction and energy costs, Oklahoma Voice reported.

Eastman, 53, of Spiro, worked for the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission for 16 years, most recently deciding unemployment insurance claims, The Frontier reported. She was born in Tulsa and grew up in LeFlore County. She has never held public office. Her priorities included more regulation of injection wells and holding oil companies accountable for pollution.

Campaign finance reports filed with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission showed a wide fundraising gap. Boles had raised more than $500,000 by the August runoff, while Eastman had raised about $28,000, NonDoc reported.

Updated unofficial results are available at the Oklahoma State Election Board's results page.