Three candidates with Oklahoma Farm Bureau ties won their respective primary runoff election on Aug. 23. Roland Pederson, longtime OKFB member and former state board member, Lonnie Paxton, Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company agent, and Chris Kidd, OKFB vice president of membership and organization, will each progress to the general election in November.
“Electing state leaders who understand and support farmers and ranchers is a priority for Oklahoma Farm Bureau,” said Monica Wilke, OKFB executive director. “We know Roland, Chris and Lonnie will represent not only their districts, but also Oklahoma agriculture.”
Burlington native Roland Pederson was chosen as the Republican nominee for Senate District 19. A second-generation farmer, Pederson has produced cattle, wheat and alfalfa for the past 40 years.
Lonnie Paxton, defeated opponent Matt Stacy in the Senate District 23 runoff election to become the Republican nominee. An insurance agent for 18 years, Paxton also farms and is a small business owner.
Chris Kidd was selected as the Republican candidate for Senate District 31. Before beginning his eight-year career with OKFB, Kidd taught agricultural education at Waurika High School. The Waurika native also raises cattle with his father on the family’s southern Oklahoma ranch.
All three candidates were supported and endorsed by the OKAgFund, OKFB’s political action committee. Adam Pugh of Edmond, also supported by the OKAgFund, overcame opponent Paul Blair in the primary runoff with 54.12 percent of the vote.
