(Update: On Tuesday, June 16, GOP candidates Robert Keyes and Dr. Jon Painter advanced to an Aug. 25 runoff to represent Senate District 24.)
In a Senate District 24 likely bound for a runoff, five Republicans are competing to represent Moore and succeed Sen. Darrell Weaver, who decided to run for lieutenant governor instead of a third and final term.
Two of the candidates seeking SD 24 ran for different offices in 2024, with Robert Keyes shifting his “Tougher than a $2 steak” tagline a few miles north and Heather Boss hoping more people “Vote Boss” than they did in her House District 53 campaign.
The open SD 24 field has been so crowded that, beyond the five Republican candidates on Tuesday’s ballot, a man named Chris Apel created a campaign committee, raised about $22,000, loaned himself $50,000 and spent about $35,400 — before deciding not to file for the seat in April.
Since then, the Senate’s GOP supermajority has found itself with significant internal strife, and SD 24 stands among a series of seats up for grabs this primary election. A subset of Oklahoma’s most conservative Republican senators — known as the Freedom Caucus — has consistently clashed with Republican leadership.
None of the five SD 24 GOP candidates has specified whether they align with a particular faction of their party, but whoever wins could help tip the scales one way or another in November’s looming Senate Republican Caucus leadership election.
Regardless, whoever wins the seat will represent a significant number of residents living in central Oklahoma, as Senate District 24 encompasses much of Cleveland County, including all of Moore, north parts of Norman and sections of southwest OKC.
If no SD 24 candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote in the June 16 Republican primary, the top two Republican candidates will advance to an Aug. 25 runoff. The ultimate Republican Party nominee will face Democrat Jonathan Morales and independent candidate Melissa Elder in the Nov. 3 general election.
The following SD 24 GOP primary cheat sheet is based on information derived from public sources, such as campaign websites and social media accounts. Candidates are presented in alphabetical order.
Heather Boss
Age:Â 38
Profession/background: According to her campaign website, Heather Boss is a mother and community leader. She is an ordained minister through the Churches of God General Conference and received theological training from Winebrenner Theological Seminary and Dallas Theological Seminary. Additionally, Boss co-founded The Remnant Church of God.
Boss is currently the Cleveland County GOP state committeewoman and a member of the Oklahoma State Republican Party Executive Committee.
In 2024, Boss was one of four GOP candidates who ran for House District 53. She finished third with 501 votes, or 17.35 percent support.
Boss’ website tells visitors, “Welcome to the movement,” and her Issues Page opens with a quote attributed to herself.
“God uses ordinary people who refuse to be intimidated by extraordinary chaos,” Boss wrote. “If you don’t stand for your values when they’re unpopular, you don’t have values, you have preferences.”
Platform:Â Boss’ website includes statements and parade photos showing she wants to “abolish” property taxes, abortion and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.
Boss sends her children to public school, which “ensures the policies she advocates for impact her own family the same way they impact every other family in District 24,” according to her website.
Boss has made multiple Facebook posts saying she is “not for sale.” In a June 5 video, she responded to constituents who pointed out their “no soliciting” signs when she tried to knock on their doors.
“If I was soliciting myself, we’d be having a whole other conversation, and I’m pretty sure that’s illegal. We’d have to call the police,” Boss said. “It’s not soliciting if you’re not selling yourself, and I am not for sale.”
In a May 29 video, Boss recorded herself investigating the source of an unnamed candidate’s mailer she had received, calling the affiliated number to find that it does not exist. She said some candidates have campaigns that are “funded through dark money” and “special interests.”
“The moral of the story is, kids, make sure you know who you’re voting for. Make sure you know where their money is coming from,” Boss said. “Make sure the candidate that you decide to put in office, no matter what office (…) do you know where their money is coming from?”
According to Boss’ campaign finance reports filed with the Ethics Commission, she has raised about $18,500 and has received support from former Reps. Bobby Cleveland and Charles Key, as well as from fellow 2026 House candidate Jenni White. Valued at $119.90, Rep. Justin Humphrey (R-Lane) made an in-kind donation to Boss’ campaign of “stuffed bears, balloons, kids party favors, candy for the fundraiser event.”
Tammi Didlot
Age:Â 60
Profession/background: Tammi Didlot is a third-generation farmer and retired small business owner from Jackson County, according to her website. According to her LinkedIn, she earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Oklahoma State University before owning a background screening and drug testing company for 12 years.
Didlot was a divisional managing director at Accurate Background for two years. She has owned H&D Cattle LLC since 2000. In 2012, Didlot served as the president of American National CattleWomen.
In a May 27 announcement, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Ag Fund political action committee endorsed Didlot. Of the 36 candidates they endorsed, Didlot is one of 14 candidates to receive financial support from OKFB.
Platform:Â According to her website, Didlot prioritizes “faith, family and freedom,” supporting pro-life policies, parental choice and members of the military. She prioritizes “agriculture and food security,” and she supports an “all of the above” approach to energy sources and school choice.
Didlot also campaigns via Facebook, where she has posted in support of the Second Amendment and small government.
“Oklahoma’s farmers, ranchers and landowners deserve a voice at the Capitol, and I will always fight to protect private property rights, support responsible growth and stand up for the people who live and work on the land every day,” Didlot wrote in a June 1 post.
In a June 3 Facebook post, Didlot wrote she is against State Question 832, which would raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2029.
“State Question 832 threatens to increase labor costs across the board, which means businesses will raise prices to survive,” Didlot wrote. “That doesn’t hurt politicians. It hurts families.”
She has also recorded a series of campaign videos and has repeatedly praised the value of “hard work.”
“Agriculture isn’t just a part of my story, it’s my life,” she said in a June 14 video. “I’m a third-generation rancher, and if there’s work to be done, I’m usually already in the middle of it. I’m not afraid of hard work, and I won’t be out-worked fighting for Oklahomans.”
According to her campaign finance reports filed with the Ethics Commission, Didlot has raised about $48,700 from individuals, $5,000 from PACs and has loaned herself $9,475. She has reported receiving cash donations and in-kind donations from HD 37 candidate Jeremy Sacket for “campaign walking software,” and she has also reported donating to Sacket’s campaign. She has received significant financial support from agriculture leaders and people in the Altus area, including from three current or former legislators: Sen. Brent Howard (R-Altus), former Sen. Mike Schulz (R-Altus) and former Rep. David Braddock (D-Altus).
Links: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn
Bryan Husted
Age:Â 49
Profession/background: According to his website, Bryan Husted was born and raised in Senate District 24. He was an Oklahoma City police officer for over 10 years, where he worked as a staff sergeant and a detective in the domestic violence unit.
In 2012, Husted took over his family’s directional drilling business and today is helping grow a small car dealership.
“Bryan isn’t running to make noise, he’s running to do the work,” his website states. “t the State Capitol, he will stand firm for our values, support safe communities, and fight for commonsense policies that protect Oklahoma families and strengthen District 24.”
Platform: Husted wants to “support law enforcement,” improve “education and respect for teachers” and “protect Oklahoma families and values,” according to his website. He is endorsed by the Oklahoma City Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 123 and IAFF Local 157 OKC Firefighters. Husted’s wife is a teacher, and he believes “leaders should be fighting for policies that help move our children forward.”
“I’ve built my life on running towards danger and stepping out in faith, even when I wasn’t sure of the outcome,” Husted wrote in a Jan. 28 Facebook post. “I’ll proudly stand courageously with those who defend us, small-business owners, and every family of this district, as we drive towards a future to be proud of.”
On Saturday, Husted posted on Facebook to take issue with an unspecified analysis of his candidacy.
“A voter guide has been making the rounds lately that labels candidates as conservative, moderate, or liberal. After seeing it, I was surprised to find myself labeled as a moderate,” Husted said. “Throughout this campaign, I’ve tried to focus on sharing my positions and qualifications rather than commenting on other candidates. Instead of debating labels, I’m posting my iVoterGuide profile. iVoterGuide is a resource many conservative and Christian voters know and trust.”
According to his campaign finance reports filed with the Ethics Commission, Husted has raised about $20,000 from individuals and $13,500 from PACs, including $3,500 from the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 344, $5,000 from the OKC FOP and $5,000 from the OKC Firefighters Association.
Robert Keyes
Age:Â 60
Profession/background: According to his website, Robert Keyes has founded and co-founded multiple businesses across the state. He is currently president and CEO of Associated Environmental Industries, a drilling company. Keyes is treasurer of the National Ground Water Association and a chairman of NGWA University Powered by OSU.
Keyes founded the Morning Dove Foundation, whose tax forms show it is a private foundation with Keyes listed as the only personnel member and the only donor. The foundation provides scholarships for college students and hosts faith-based concerts. He and his family operate a horse ranch with his family, according to his website.
In 2024, Keyes was one of six GOP candidates who ran for Senate District 15 just to the south of SD 24. He finished with 26.75 percent of the primary vote and advanced to the runoff election, where he lost to now-Sen. Lisa Standridge (R-Norman) by only 56 votes. After his loss, he alleged election irregularities and accused Standridge’s treasurer of certifying absentee ballots, an act campaign treasurers are not allowed to perform, even if they are certified notaries.
A district judge in Cleveland County ultimately dismissed his motion regarding the alleged irregularities. Keyes appealed to the Supreme Court, which declined to take up his case.
Platform:Â According to his website, Keyes wants to cut taxes and reduce wasteful spending. He prioritizes job creation, accessible health care and criminal justice reform.
Keyes’ website states he supports “legal immigration, including cooperation with federal efforts to remove individuals who are in the country illegally.” He is pro-life and supports the Second Amendment.
“I will put the keys to my private-sector success — hard work, intelligent planning, innovation, problem-solving, coalition-building, and care for my community, all grounded in faith and conservative values — to work for you in the Oklahoma State Senate,” Keyes wrote on his website.
Keyes has become known in Cleveland County for campaign materials that proclaim he is “tougher than a $2 steak.” Keyes also used the slogan for his 2024 campaign, in which he positioned himself as the most pragmatic candidate best suited to work with people to achieve results.
“I’m so conservative, I wear suspenders with a belt,” Keyes said in a 2024 debate against Standridge for SD 15. “Don’t ever say that you’re more conservative than me. You can’t spell it well enough to do that, let’s make sure we’re clear on that. But the fact is that if you don’t learn how to negotiate and get common ground to move the needle, all you’re going to do is continue fighting.”
According to his campaign finance reports filed with the Ethics Commission, Keyes has raised about $15,200 from individuals and has loaned his campaign $300,000.
Links:Â Website | Facebook | LinkedIn
Jon Painter
Age:Â 60
Profession/background:Â According to his website, Dr. Jon Painter grew up in Moore and currently resides in southwest OKC. He has practiced optometry in Moore for more than 30 years.
Painter has served on the Moore School Board, Moore Parks Board and the Work Activity Center Board. He is a former deacon and Sunday school director at Emmaus Baptist Church.
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Platform:Â Painter is pro-life and values limited government, lower taxes and the Second Amendment, his website states. He prioritizes local issues and wants voters to know he “pledged not to accept donations from lobbyists and PACs in this campaign.”
“Cleveland County is home. It’s where I grew up, built a business and raised my family (…) I love and appreciate our past. But I’m even more committed to our future. No one will fight harder for you, and the conservative values we share, than me,” Painter wrote on his website.
Painter’s Facebook page is mostly dedicated to posting photos of his large campaign signs throughout the district.
“Everyday Oklahomans are building a conservative movement that puts Oklahoma values first,” Painter’s website states. “It’s time to drain the swamp and emphasize core conservative principles, like limited government, lower taxes (especially property taxes), the right to life and 2nd Amendment rights. Those are the values Dr. Painter will fight for in the Senate.”
According to his campaign finance reports filed with the Ethics Commission, Painter has raised $34,725 from individuals, loaned himself about $57,700 and received $1,000 from the Oklahoma Optometric PAC. That contribution runs contrary to a claim on Painter’s website.
“Doctor Painter is the only candidate for Senate who’s pledged not to accept donations from lobbyists and PACs in this campaign,” his website states. “By rejecting these funds, he’s proving his loyalty is to you – the voter – not special interests or political machines.”
