By Meghan McCormick
The Norman Transcript
NORMAN — Voters in Cleveland County re-elected Associate District Judge Stephen Bonner, but it will be November before a decision is made regarding two district judge seats in District 21.
The district covers Cleveland, McClain and Garvin counties. None of candidates in Office No. 1 or Office No. 2 carried 50 percent plus one of votes in Tuesday’s primary election.
All results are unofficial until certified at 5 p.m. Aug. 3, according to the State Election Board’s website.
In the Office No. 1 race, Norman attorney Tracy Schumacher will face State Sen. Jonathan Nichols in the Nov. 2 general election.
Schumacher received the most votes with 16,735 or 42.91 percent.
Nichols came in second with 16,126 votes or 41.35 percent and Norman attorney Michael Bell was third with 6,141 or 15.275 percent.
Schumacher said she and her husband were very grateful to each of the citizens who went to the polls and helped with her campaign.
“I am not a professional politician and we did the best we could with the seven weeks that we had,” she said. “The filing was June 9 and we hit the ground running and we ended up tonight with the most votes. We are obviously pleased.”
Schumacher said her opponent Nichols pulled out celebrities and a “vicious smear campaign.”
“My 16-year record representing people in this district withheld those attacks,” she said. “I appreciate those who have supported the campaign.”
Schumacher said she looks forward to the election in November.
“I once again thank all the individuals who have supported us in this campaign by giving us their time and their donations,” she said.
Nichols said he was not surprised to learn he would face Schumacher in November.
“We knew Ms. Schumacher would not do any worse than 40 percent,” Nichols said. “There was a heavy Democratic turnout in Norman tonight driven by a spirited primary race in House District 44 as well as the primary between Askins and Edmondson.”
Nichols said he looks forward to a grassroots campaign between now and November when a different environment of voters will turn out.
“There are differences between Ms. Schumacher and myself,” Nichols said.
He said he has served as a state senator for 10 years and Schumacher has served as a criminal defense attorney for eight years.
In November, Purcell attorneys Greg Dixon, 43, and John Mantooth, 62, will face each other for the Office No. 2 District Judge seat. The seat is being vacated by retiring Judge Candace Blaylock.
Dixon received the most votes with 16,364 or 42.33 percent. Mantooth followed with 11,916 votes or 30.82 percent. Pauls Valley attorney Edward Tillery, 60, came in third with 10,378 votes or 26.85 percent.
Dixon said he appreciated the support he received during the Primary Election.
“I am overwhelmed by the support of family and friends and unbelievable effort by so many wonderful people,” he said. “It’s really beyond the ability to explain how humbling and appreciative I am to my supporters.”
A message left for Mantooth was not returned by press time Tuesday.
According to the State Election Board in the associate district judge race, Bonner received 16,121 votes or 55.61 percent.
Bonner attended a watch party for his campaign at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse.
“I want to thank everyone who helped in my campaign,” he said. “I had a wide range or support.”
Bonner said he was humbled by everyone who support his re-election campaign.
Running against Bonner for the seat were attorneys Michael Gardner, 44; Ted L. Ryals, 61; and J. Michael Sherrod, 56.
According to unofficial results, Gardner received 6,175 votes or 21.30 percent; Sherrod tallied 4,173 votes or 14.39 percent and Ryals received 2,521 or 8.70 percent.
Meghan McCormick 366-3539 mmccormick@normantranscript.com
