Oklahoma voters consider another switch in House delegation

TULSA, Okla. (AP) – Oklahoma voters sent three new congressmen to Washington in the past four years, and Republicans are considering whether it is time to switch again.

Navy pilot Jim Bridenstine upset a five-term GOP congressman in 2012, the same year plumber Markwayne Mullin won a House seat from eastern Oklahoma. Former state Sen. Steve Russell took a spot in 2014.

All three have challenges from within their party – as do two veteran Republican congressmen.

One battle line is last December’s $1 trillion government funding vote supported by everyone except Bridenstine.

Mullin is supported by U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, but former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn is backing Mullin’s opponent.

Early voting opened Thursday. GOP runoffs are possible in two U.S. House races. Each Republican has an opponent in the fall.