Ex-Opponents Endorse Oklahoma Congressional Candidate

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The third and fourth place finishers in the Republican primary field for the open 5th District congressional seat have both endorsed their one-time opponent, James Lankford.

State Rep. Shane Jett issued a statement late Monday announcing his support of Lankford. He joins state Rep. Mike Thompson, who endorsed Lankford a few days after the July 27 primary.

The former director of the Falls Creek Christian summer camp, Lankford will face former state Rep. Kevin Calvey in the Aug. 24 GOP runoff.

Lankford received 34 percent and Calvey 32 percent in the seven-man primary field.

The winner will face Democrat Billy Coyle in the November general election. Current Republican U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin is leaving the seat after two terms to run for governor.