1. The cock-fighting initiative was on the ballot. Rural Oklahomans who are old southern Democrats (and don't realize that their party has been hijacked by Socialists and Communists) got out to vote in high numbers to vote against the ban. While there they checked the straight line party ticket. BTW, Oklahoma is the only state where the cities are more Republican than the rural areas (with some exceptions in far west Oklahoma).
2. A conservative 3d party candidate got 19% of the vote. He was a spoiler (understatement).
It was a perfect storm politically speaking. It took some freak circumstances for Largent top lose. He really should have run again this time. He would win IMO.
Interesting.
That certainly does explain how Largent lost.
I remember back on Election Night '02, asking myself "How the hell did Largent lose that race?!"
Thank you for the info.