Republican T.W. Shannon defeated Democrat Kelly Forbes in the Oklahoma lieutenant governor race on Tuesday, Nov. 3, the Associated Press projected that night, according to News On 6.
With 98% of precincts reporting, Shannon had received 632,909 votes (57.8%) to Forbes' 461,241 votes (42.2%), according to NonDoc. Those results are unofficial. All results must be certified by the Oklahoma State Election Board, which has scheduled certification of state and federal results for Nov. 10, according to Legis1.
Candidate | Party | Votes | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
T.W. Shannon | Republican | 632,909 | 57.8% |
Kelly Forbes | Democrat | 461,241 | 42.2% |
Unofficial results with 98% of precincts reporting, per NonDoc.
Shannon will replace Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, a Republican first elected in 2018 who is term-limited, according to KOCO.
Shannon is a Chickasaw Nation citizen and will make history as the first Native American and first Black lieutenant governor in Oklahoma, NonDoc reported.
Shannon posted on Facebook after the results came in. "This victory belongs to you. I'll work every day to serve our state and the people who make Oklahoma home. We're just getting started!" he wrote, according to NonDoc.
Shannon's background
Shannon, 48, is a Lawton native who made history at age 33 as the youngest speaker of the Oklahoma House, becoming the first African American and first Chickasaw citizen to hold the post, according to News 9 and News On 6.
He served as a bank CEO, an Oklahoma Transportation Commissioner and a senior advisor in the Trump administration focused on rural prosperity, according to News 9. He ran for U.S. Senate in 2014 and 2022, losing both primaries, according to KOCO.
Shannon won the June 16 GOP primary with more than 53% of the vote, avoiding a runoff, according to KOCO. He had been endorsed by President Donald Trump, the Oklahoma Republican Party and state nursing and firefighter organizations, according to News On 6.
Shannon said he sees the office as a vehicle for economic growth. "It's a great position that I can use to recruit new businesses and investment to Oklahoma, while also helping our existing companies compete and grow," Shannon wrote, according to NonDoc.
Forbes' campaign
Forbes, 42, grew up in Skiatook and Broken Arrow and was a first-time candidate. He was the first in his family to graduate from college and earned a doctorate in administration and leadership, according to News 9.
His career spans roles as a classroom teacher, school administrator and director of dual-language education, according to News On 6. He owns an education consulting firm and serves on the board of Palomar, Oklahoma City's Family Justice Center.
Forbes ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, according to KOCO. No Democrat has won a statewide race in Oklahoma in 20 years, NonDoc reported before the election.
What the office does
The lieutenant governor serves as president of the Oklahoma Senate, casts tie-breaking votes and acts as governor whenever the governor leaves the state, according to News 9. The position also involves promoting the state's tourism industry, film industry and workforce development efforts, NonDoc reported.
The Oklahoma State Election Board is scheduled to certify results Nov. 10. Unofficial returns are available on the State Election Board website.
