In Norman, Aaron Stiles, a 28-year-old political newcomer, slipped past three other candidates to capture 51 percent of the Republican vote and earn the party's nomination for Norman's House District 45 seat.

Stiles defeated former Norman Mayor Ron Henderson, ex-Norman city councilman David Hopper and candidate Les White.

With all of the city's 15 precincts reporting, Stiles had 1,061 votes, Henderson earned 337, Hopper captured 627 and White pulled 49.

Stiles said he felt "blessed" by the support.

"I have great friends," he said. "And I think this vote is a testament to what my friends think about me."

Voters, he said, responded to his message and his style of campaigning.

"I think it was our message and the support," he said. "I had lots of people out on street corners knocking doors and we were outspent 3-1."

Despite his loss, Henderson said he was "relatively happy" with the results.

"I guess I have to say, when you consider they outspent me 10-to-1 and I got in a day or two before filing, I did OK," he said. "Yeah, I would love to be in a runoff, but this was one election that I just had absolutely no feel for what was gonna happen."

Hopper praised Stiles for his "strong campaign."

"It looks like the voters are responding to him," he said. "He started early, back in the fall before any of the rest of us, and he established his base. He's done a very good job. I congratulate him on a strong race."

With Tuesday's win, Stiles will face incumbent Wallace Collins in the fall general election.

"Our strategy won't change," Stiles said. "I don't think I'll be able to raise tens of thousands of dollars, and I don't plan on pandering to any special interest groups to get money. I'm going to stick with my grassroots campaign and going door-to-door.

House District 54

In Moore, voters also returned Rep. Paul Wesselhoft.