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24 of 48 seats 24 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Oklahoma |
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 Government |
The 2006 Oklahoma Senate election was held on November 7, 2006. Senators in 24 out of 48 districts were up for election. Going into the election, Democrats had a narrow 2 seat majority with 26 seats, compared to Republicans 22 seats. Their majority was reduced to 25-23 after the death of Senator Robert M. Kerr.[1] and Republican Mike Schulz's victory in the subsequent special election.[2] However, in August 2006 Senator Nancy Riley changed her party affiliation from Republican to Democratic,[3] restoring the Democratic Senate majority to 26-22.
On election day, Republicans gained 2 seats, resulting in the Senate being evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. A power splitting agreement was reached where there would be two President pro tempores, with two chairs and vice chairs for each committee.[4] However Democrats maintained a functioning majority otherwise because they held the Lieutenant governorship, who holds the tie breaking vote.
As of 2023, this is the last election after which Democrats controlled the Oklahoma’s State Senate. This is also the only time the Oklahoma Senate has been evenly split[4] between parties.
- ^ "Senator Kerr Remembered as Statesman". Oklahoma Senate. Senate Communications Office. January 25, 2006. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
- ^ "Special Election State Senate district 38 results" (PDF). PDF. Oklahoma State election board. 2006. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
- ^ "State Senator Nancy Riley Changes Party Registration". Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved April 9, 2007.
- ^ a b "Senate History". Oklahoma Senate. Oklahoma Senate. Retrieved December 28, 2023.