The Senate seat, which was vacated by term-limited Republican Sen. Jim Reynolds after he successfully won the position of treasurer in Cleveland County last November, covers part of eastern Oklahoma County and goes into northern Cleveland County, encompassing parts of Oklahoma City, Del City, all of Valley Brook and part of Moore.
Childers (pictured), 41, of Del City, defeated Democratic candidate, Kenneth Meador, 30, of Moore, with 60 percent of the vote, compared to Meador’s 40 percent, according to the Oklahoma State Election Board. Around 3,038 voters participated in the election.
Senate District 43 is facing redistricting this year and will move south in November to include all of McClain County, most of Stephens County and parts of Grady and Garvin counties, putting both candidates’ current residences outside its boundaries.
Childers has said he is considering moving to within the district’s new boundaries when it shifts to remain a senator.
This article appears in Oct 12-18, 2011.