# Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district

Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district is one of five United States congressional districts in Oklahoma and covers approximately one-fourth of the state in the east. The district borders Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Texas and includes (in whole or in part) a total of 24 counties. With a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of R+29, it is the most Republican district in Oklahoma, a state with an all-Republican congressional delegation.
Historically, the district has supported conservative Democrats, and was reckoned as a classic Yellow dog Democrat district. However, the growing Republican trend in the state has overtaken the district since the start of the 21st century. In the last two elections, the Republican presidential candidate has carried it by the largest margin in the state. Urban voters comprise a third of the district.
The district is represented by Republican Josh Brecheen, becoming only the third Republican to hold the seat since 1923. Brecheen was first elected in 2022, following the retirement of five-term Republican incumbent Markwayne Mullin, who was elected to the United States Senate.

## Geography

The district borders Kansas to the north, Missouri and Arkansas to the east, and Texas (along the Red River) to the south. It covers all or part of 26 counties. It includes the remainder of Rogers County (including the county seat of Claremore) that is not included in the 1st district, and then, also, all of the following counties: Adair, Nowata, Craig, Ottawa, Mayes, Delaware, Cherokee, Okmulgee, Muskogee, Sequoyah, Okfuskee, McIntosh, Haskell, LeFlore, Hughes, Pittsburg, Latimer, Coal, Atoka, Pushmataha, McCurtain, Choctaw, Bryan, Marshall and Johnston.
Some of the principal cities in the district include Miami, Claremore, Muskogee, Tahlequah, Okmulgee, McAlester, and Durant.
The northern half of the district includes most of the area of Oklahoma referred to as Green Country, while the southern half of the district includes a part of Oklahoma often referred to as Little Dixie. It contains the majority of lands in the Choctaw Nation and the Cherokee Nation, as well as smaller parts of the Creek and Chickasaw nations.

## History

In the 20th century, the district heavily favored conservative Democratic candidates, being represented in the House only by Democrats from 1923 to 1994. The district's Democratic leanings stem partly from historic migration patterns into the state– the Little Dixie region of the district imported the people and culture of southern states such as Mississippi after Reconstruction. Voter registration in Little Dixie ran as high as 90 percent Democratic in the past. Additionally, Native Americans in the region tend to vote for Democratic candidates and they have helped Democratic candidates win statewide elections.
The district first shifted Republican in electing Tom Coburn in 1994, who vacated the seat due to a self-imposed term limit pledge (he was elected to the United States Senate 4 years later). It was held by conservative Democrats Brad Carson and Dan Boren from 2001 to 2012. Since the 2012 election, the 2nd district has been safely Republican at all levels including the House: it was represented by Markwayne Mullin from 2013. Mullin assumed office as a U.S. Senator in 2023, and was succeeded as the Representative from the 2nd district by fellow Republican Josh Brecheen.
Presidentially, this was the best-performing district for Democrats in the 20th century; Bill Clinton was the last Democratic presidential candidate to win the district, easily carrying it in 1992 and 1996. Since then it has been safely Republican: George W. Bush received 59 percent of the vote in this district in 2004, John McCain received 66 percent of the vote in this district in 2008, and in 2020, Donald Trump won one of the highest percentages for a Republican presidential candidate, winning 76% of the vote to only 22% for the Democratic candidate Joe Biden. Muskogee has produced six representatives, more than any other city in the district. Tahlequah has produced three representatives, the second most of any city in the district.
According to the 2000 U.S. census, the district is 35.51 percent urban, 23.95 percent non-white, and has a population that is 2.40 percent Latino and 1.36 percent foreign-born. The district has a higher percentage of Native Americans than any other congressional district in Oklahoma. Its representative, Josh Brecheen, is one of four Native Americans currently serving in Congress.

## Recent election results from statewide races

| Year | Office | Results |
| 2008 | President | McCain 65% - 33% |
| 2012 | President | Romney 68% - 32% |
| 2016 | President | Trump 73% - 23% |
| 2016 | Senate | Lankford 70% - 24% |
| 2018 | Governor | Stitt 60% - 37% |
| 2018 | Lt. Governor | Pinnell 67% - 30% |
| 2018 | Attorney General | Hunter 69% - 31% |
| 2020 | President | Trump 76% - 22% |
| 2020 | Senate | Inhofe 72% - 24% |
| 2022 | Senate (Reg.) | Lankford 73% - 23% |
| 2022 | Senate (Spec.) | Mullin 73% - 25% |
| 2022 | Governor | Stitt 63% - 34% |
| 2022 | Lt. Governor | Pinnell 73% - 23% |
| 2022 | Treasurer | Russ 73% - 23% |

## Composition

For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 census), the district contains all or portions of the following counties and communities:
Adair County (30)
    All 15 communities
Atoka County (6)
    All 6 communities
Bryan County (19)
    All 19 communities
Cherokee County (33)
    All 33 communities
Choctaw County (7)
    All 7 communities
Coal County (7)
    All 7 communities
Craig County (6)
    All 6 communities
Delaware County (32)
    All 32 communities
Haskell County (9)
    All 9 communities
Hughes County (12)
    All 12 communities
Johnston County (14)
    All 14 communities
Latimer County (5)
    All 5 communities
LeFlore County (20)
    All 20 communities
McCurtain County (11)
    All 11 communities
McIntosh County (10)
    All 10 communities
Marshall County (8)
    All 8 communities
Mayes County (29)
    All 29 communities
Muskogee County (20)
    All 20 communities
Nowata County (6)
    All 6 communities
Okfuskee County (9)
    All 9 communities
Ottawa County (10)
    All 10 communities
Pittsburg County (23)
    All 23 communities
Pushmataha County (8)
    All 8 communities
Rogers County (16)
    Bushyhead, Chelsea, Claremore, Collinsville, Fair Oaks (part; also 2nd; shared with Wagoner County), Foyil, Gregory, Inola, Justice, Limestone (part; also 1st), Oologah, Talala, Tiawah, Tulsa (part; also 1st and 3rd; shared with Osage, Tulsa, and Wagoner counties), Valley Park, Verdigris
Sequoyah County (33)
    All 33 communities
Wagoner County (7)
    Mallard Bay, Okay, Rocky Point, Taylor Ferry, Toppers, Wagoner, Whitehorn Cove
Washington County (6)
    All 6 communities

## Recent election results
### 2004

2004 Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dan Boren | 179,579 | 65.9% |
| | Republican | Wayland Smalley | 92,963 | 34.1% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 272,542 | 100.00% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2006

2006 Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dan Boren (Incumbent) | 122,347 | 72.7% |
| | Republican | Patrick K. Miller | 45,861 | 27.3% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 168,208 | 100.00% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2008

2008 Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dan Boren (Incumbent) | 173,757 | 70.5% |
| | Republican | Raymond J. Wickson | 72,815 | 29.5% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 246,572 | 100.00% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2010

2010 Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dan Boren (Incumbent) | 108,203 | 56.5% |
| | Republican | Charles Thompson | 83,226 | 43.5% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 191,429 | 100.00% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 2012

Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Markwayne Mullin | 143,701 | 57.3% |
| | Democratic | Rob Wallace | 96,081 | 38.3% |
| | Independent | Michael G. Fulks | 10,830 | 4.3% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 250,612 | 100.0% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### 2014

Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district, 2014 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Markwayne Mullin (Incumbent) | 110,925 | 70.0% |
| | Democratic | Earl Everett | 38,964 | 24.6% |
| | Independent | Jon Douthitt | 8,518 | 5.4% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 158,407 | 100.0% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2016

Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district, 2016 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Markwayne Mullin (Incumbent) | 189,839 | 70.6% |
| | Democratic | Joshua Harris-Till | 62,387 | 23.2% |
| | Independent | John McCarthy | 16,644 | 6.2% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 268,870 | 100.0% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2018

Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district, 2018 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Markwayne Mullin (Incumbent) | 140,451 | 65.0% |
| | Democratic | Jason Nichols | 65,021 | 30.1% |
| | Independent | John Foreman | 6,390 | 3.0% |
| | Libertarian | Richard Castaldo | 4,140 | 1.9% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 216,002 | 100.0% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2020

Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district, 2020 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Markwayne Mullin (incumbent) | 216,511 | 75.0 |
| | Democratic | Danyell Lanier | 63,472 | 22.0 |
| | Libertarian | Richie Castaldo | 8,544 | 3.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 288,527 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2022

Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Josh Brecheen | 167,843 | 72.4 |
| | Democratic | Naomi Andrews | 54,194 | 23.3 |
| | Independent | "Bulldog" Ben Robinson | 9,635 | 4.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 231,672 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

## List of members representing the district

| Name | Party | Years | Cong ress | Electoral history |
| District established November 15, 1907 |||||
| Elmer L. Fulton (Oklahoma City) | Democratic | November 16, 1907 – March 3, 1909 | 60th | Elected in 1907. Lost re-election. |
| Dick T. Morgan (Woodward) | Republican | March 4, 1909 – March 3, 1915 | 61st 62nd 63rd | Elected in 1908. Re-elected in 1910. Re-elected in 1912. Redistricted to the 8th district. |
| William Hastings (Tahlequah) | Democratic | March 4, 1915 – March 3, 1921 | 64th 65th 66th | Elected in 1914. Re-elected in 1916. Re-elected in 1918. Lost re-election. |
| Alice Robertson (Muskogee) | Republican | March 4, 1921 – March 3, 1923 | 67th | Elected in 1920. Lost re-election. |
| William Hastings (Tahlequah) | Democratic | March 4, 1923 – January 3, 1935 | 68th 69th 70th 71st 72nd 73rd | Elected again in 1922. Re-elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Re-elected in 1928. Re-elected in 1930. Re-elected in 1932. Retired. |
| John C. Nichols (Eufaula) | Democratic | January 3, 1935 – July 3, 1943 | 74th 75th 76th 77th 78th | Elected in 1934. Re-elected in 1936. Re-elected in 1938. Re-elected in 1940. Re-elected in 1942. Resigned to become vice president of Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc. |
| Vacant | Vacant | July 3, 1943 – March 28, 1944 | 78th | |
| William G. Stigler (Stigler) | Democratic | March 28, 1944 – August 21, 1952 | 78th 79th 80th 81st 82nd | Elected to finish Nichols's term. Re-elected in 1944. Re-elected in 1946. Re-elected in 1948. Re-elected in 1950. Died. |
| Vacant | Vacant | August 21, 1952 – January 3, 1953 | 82nd | |
| Ed Edmondson (Muskogee) | Democratic | January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1973 | 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th 90th 91st 92nd | Elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Retired to run for U.S. Senator. |
| Clem McSpadden (Claremore) | Democratic | January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1975 | 93rd | Elected in 1972. Retired to run for Governor of Oklahoma. |
| Ted Risenhoover (Tahlequah) | Democratic | January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1979 | 94th 95th | Elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Lost renomination. |
| Mike Synar (Muskogee) | Democratic | January 3, 1979 – January 3, 1995 | 96th 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd | Elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Lost renomination. |
| Tom Coburn (Muskogee) | Republican | January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2001 | 104th 105th 106th | Elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Retired to practice medicine. |
| Brad Carson (Claremore) | Democratic | January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2005 | 107th 108th | Elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Retired to run for U.S. Senator. |
| Dan Boren (Muskogee) | Democratic | January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2013 | 109th 110th 111th 112th | Elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Retired. |
| Markwayne Mullin (Westville) | Republican | January 3, 2013 – January 3, 2023 | 113th 114th 115th 116th 117th | Elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Re-elected in 2020. Retired to run for U.S. Senator. |
| Josh Brecheen (Coalgate) | Republican | January 3, 2023 – present | 118th 119th | Elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. |