Oklahoma's gubernatorial race is a statistical dead heat

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — The race for the governor’s office is now a statistical dead heat in Oklahoma.

The Sooner Poll reports that Republican Kevin Stitt now leads Democrat Drew Edmondson 47 percent to 44.1 percent with 6 percent undecided; however, those numbers come with a 5.33 percent margin of error.

Bill Shapard of Sooner Poll said education is the number one issue driving the election numbers. Edmondson’s campaign has capitalized on that situation.

One of his ads tells voters, "Only one candidate stood with our teachers -- former teacher Drew Edmondson."

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It appears Edmondson has gained ground by tying Stitt to the school funding problems of Governor Mary Fallin’s administration.

That’s led to a change in Stitt’s campaigning.

His latest ad states, "Drew Edmondson is lying. Career politicians like Edmondson and Mary Fallin are the reason I’m running for governor."

While Edmondson has closed the gap, Tulsa's GOP County Chairman said Stitt will win here.

David Mclain said they have a numerical advantage, and they are organized on the precinct level.

They've had 100 people out knocking on doors, six days a week.

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McLain said, “We're going to be very difficult to overcome in Tulsa County. So, I'm not so concerned about the polling. I'm concerned about getting the vote out."

The teachers who've helped to bring life to Edmondson's campaign are equally confident, because they believe our education problems have captured the voter's attention.

Teacher Jessica Jernigan of Bixby said, “I've held onto that energy and that optimism that we gained during the walkout."

She added, “I Ieft with lots of hope that we can make a huge difference, and we already have."

Brendan Jarvis is a Union Teacher who said educators are motivated to get to the ballot box.

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"I've already voted. A lot of teachers have voted. The good turnout is an indication that he can win this,” Jarvis said, but the local GOP isn’t conceding anything.

McLain said they’ll get Republicans to the polls.

"I know the hard work we've put into all 262 precincts for our down-ballot races, as well as our statewide races," he said.

Shapard of Sooner Poll said it’s going to be a close race because the undecided voters seem to be leaning equally to all three candidates.

The list includes Libertarian Chris Powell.

KTUL will have complete results starting at 7:00 pm Election Day.