STATE ELECTIONS IN OKLAHOMA

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27395, 7 July 1954, Page 12

STATE ELECTIONS IN OKLAHOMA

Oil Millionaires In Bitter Contest (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright). (Rec. 9 p.m.) OKLAHOMA CITY, July 5. Unarmed troops will patrol voting booths in parts of Oklahoma on Tuesday, when two oil millionaires battle for a nomination to the United States Senate.

Senator Robert Kerr, the sitting Senator faces Mr Roy Turner, a former State Governor, for the Democatic Senate nomination in a primary election. Polls indicate that the two oilmen are in a very close race. Each today predicted his own victory by an overwhelming majority. The voting will be watched by National Guardsmen in five counties. It will be the first time in Oklahoma’s history that martial law has prevailed during an election. Five hundred thousand voters are expected to turn out and vote to fill 17 State posts, for which there are 141 candidates. There are also many other candidates for minor district and county offices. Mr Johnston Murray, the Governor of Oklahoma, called out the 200 unarmed troopers to prevent what. he termed “gross, violations of State election laws.” rfe said that his investigations already showed that absentee ballots were being sold. Mr Murray’s actions brought hot protests from officials in the affected counties and by the t\yo Democratic candidates for Governor. The candidates termed it a “publicity stunt” on behalf of Mr Murray’s wife, who is a candidate to succeed him.

The Governor himself is prevented by law from seeking re-election.