Oklahoma voters reject $15 minimum wage; Hern wins Senate primary

Oklahoma voters on Tuesday rejected a ballot measure to raise the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2029, keeping the rate at $7.25, tied for the lowest in the country. State Question 832 failed with 55.3% of voters opposed and 44.6% in favor, according to unofficial results with nearly all precincts reporting.

The initiative was backed by Raise the Wage Oklahoma, which argued the increase would lift pay for tens of thousands of workers and keep pace with rising costs. The state Chamber of Oklahoma, led by President Chad Warmington, opposed the measure, saying it would hurt hiring. "Oklahomans sent a clear message: We can grow our economy, create opportunities and keep life affordable without one-size-fits-all mandates," Warmington said in a statement.

Separately, Rep. Kevin Hern won the Republican nomination for the Senate seat vacated by Markwayne Mullin, who became Homeland Security secretary in March. Hern took 69.7% of the vote; his nearest challenger, Gary England, got 13.5%. Hern will face the winner of an Aug. 25 Democratic runoff between N'Kiyla Thomas and Jim Priest.

The GOP gubernatorial primary appears headed to a runoff. With nine candidates, no one crossed 50%. Gentner Drummond led at 26.26%, followed by Mike Mazzei at just under 26%. None of the remaining candidates broke 20%.