Rep. Horn Facing 9 Challengers

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The re-election bid of U.S. Rep. Kendra Horn, the only Democrat in the state’s congressional delegation, drew nine challengers Wednesday as Oklahoma’s three-day candidate filing period opened.

Eight Republicans and one Democrat filed to take on Horn, who pulled off one of the country’s biggest upsets in 2018 when she knocked off a two-term GOP incumbent to win the 5th District seat, which includes Oklahoma City.

State Election Board workers donned masks, gloves and face shields to accept paperwork from candidates who drove up to the state Capitol to file from their vehicles.

A Libertarian, a Democrat and Republican state Sen. Joseph Silk all filed to challenge U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin, a Republican seeking his fifth term in the 2nd District seat. Silk is giving up his seat to challenge Mullin.

U.S. Rep. Tom Cole in the 4th District drew a Democratic challenger as well as two Republicans, and one Democrat filed to challenge U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas in the 3rd District.

U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern, elected in 2018, is unchallenged for his 1st District seat in Tulsa.

Filing continues through Friday.