Embattled state Rep. Randy Terrill was reelected to his District 53 seat Tuesday, winning despite a recent judgment that he fraudulently lent himself money from a previous campaign that he should have declared as an asset during bankruptcy proceedings.

The Moore Republican defeated challenger Troy Green of Oklahoma City in the pair's second race by a vote of 6,830 to 4,476 with 63 percent of precincts reporting at 10:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Several efforts to reach Terrill for comment were unsuccessful.

Green was circumspect as he watched the returns come in at the Democratic watch party in Norman's Holiday Inn ballroom.

"I'm tired like everybody else," Green said. "It's been really nonstop the last few weeks."

Despite what was likely a loss, Green said he was excited by his strong showing.

"There are a bunch of folks out there who didn't think I'd be so strong," he said. "It's much more exciting when things are competitive.

Green attributed some of that strength to record voter turnout in Oklahoma.

"It took me more than an hour just to vote," Green said. "I think the larger turnout helped."

Additionally, he said, Terrill's reopened federal bankruptcy could have played a part in his weaker performance.

"I think some of that stuck," he said.

Terrill, chair of the House's Revenue and Taxation Committee, also is the author of the state's controversial immigration reform act, House Bill 1804.

Carol Cole-Frowe

366-3538

ccole@normantranscript.com