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Jake A. Merrick
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Jake A. Merrick (born 1981/1982)[1] is an American politician from the U.S. state of Oklahoma who served in the Oklahoma Senate representing the 22nd district from 2021 to 2022. A member of the Republican party, he won the special election to finish the term of Stephanie Bice. He lost his re-election campaign to a primary challenge from Kristen Thompson.
Key Information
Early life and career
[edit]Before running for office, Merrick worked as a licensed minister, bodybuilder, and personal trainer.[2] He is a former pastor for Living Rivers Millennial Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma and former co-pastor for the Tabernacle of Praise in Edmond, Oklahoma.[3][4] Merrick worked as a professor of theology and philosophy at Southwestern Christian University.[3] Merrick is also the co-owner of a construction company.[5]
Oklahoma State Senate (2021–present)
[edit]While campaigning for the 2021 Oklahoma State Senate special election, Merrick stopped using Twitter entirely in favor of Facebook and Parler.[5] He was endorsed by his predecessor Stephanie Bice and by the Governor of Oklahoma Kevin Stitt.[2]
Merrick is one of the few "abortion abolitionists", people that seek to abolish access to abortion, elected in the Oklahoma Senate.[6]
On April 14, 2021, Merrick was sworn into the Oklahoma Senate for the remainder of Stephanie Bice's term.[7][8]
2022 re-election campaign
[edit]Merrick ran for re-election in 2022. He faced a primary challenge from Edmond business owner Kristen Thompson. Thompson out fundraised Merrick and was endorsed by Governor Kevin Stitt. On June 28, Thompson defeated Merrick in the Republican primary.[9]
Electoral history
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Terry Neese | 24,828 | 36.48 | |
| Republican | Stephanie Bice | 17,292 | 25.41 | |
| Republican | David Hill | 12,922 | 18.99 | |
| Republican | Janet Barresi | 6,799 | 9.99 | |
| Republican | Jake A. Merrick | 1,736 | 2.55 | |
| Republican | Michael Ballard | 1,691 | 2.48 | |
| Republican | Miles V. Rahimi | 967 | 1.42 | |
| Republican | Shelli Landon | 912 | 1.34 | |
| Republican | Charles Tuffy Pringle | 908 | 1.33 | |
| Total votes | 68,055 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jake A. Merrick | 2,328 | 58.42 | |
| Republican | Keri Shipley | 1,657 | 41.58 | |
| Total votes | 3,985 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jake A. Merrick | 7,415 | 65.45 | |
| Democratic | Molly Ooten | 3,915 | 34.55 | |
| Total votes | 11,330 | 100.00 | ||
References
[edit]- ^ Forman, Carmen (April 6, 2021) "Republican Jake Merrick wins special Oklahoma state Senate election", The Oklahoman
- ^ a b DenHoed, Andrea (April 6, 2021). "Republican Jake Merrick wins Senate District 22". NonDoc. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
- ^ a b Merrick, Jake (June 3, 2022). "Sen. Jake Merrick: "Does Dark Money Rule in Oklahoma?"". Muskogee Politico. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
- ^ Brown, Trevor (December 20, 2021). "As Some Oklahoma Churches Push Vaccines, Others Sow Misinformation, Doubt". Oklahoma Watch. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
- ^ a b DenHoed, Andrea (April 5, 2021). "SD 22 candidates pursue unconventional paths to victory". NonDoc. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- ^ Garcia, Brian (April 7, 2021). "Republican Jake Merrick wins special election for State Senate District 22". Oklahoma City Free Press. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- ^ "Senator Merrick takes oath, begins service". oksenate.gov. Oklahoma Senate. April 14, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
- ^ Forman, Carmen (April 14, 2021). "Jake Merrick sworn in as Oklahoma's newest state senator". The Oklahoman. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
- ^ Forman, Carmen (June 29, 2022). "Yukon state senator Jake Merrick, 2 other Oklahoma GOP lawmakers lose primary elections". The Oklahoman. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
- ^ "OK Election Results June 30 2020". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
- ^ "OK Election Results February 09 2021". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- ^ "OK Election Results April 06 2021". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved April 7, 2021.