Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-07-28
Gary Wins Over Coe
Berry Is Defeated
In Oklahoma Vote

OKLAHOMA CITY, July 2s.--
Oklahoma Democrats nominated
a handsome 46-year-old State
Senator as their candidate for
Governor in yesterdays run-off
primary and ousted a five-term
lieutenant governor in favor of
colorful Cowboy Pink Williams.
State, Senator Raymond Gary
of Madill, who trailed by 2,746
votes in the July 6 primary,
climaxed the heated run-off
campaign for Governor with a
solid 17.000-vote margin over
William o. Coe. Mr.. Coe missed
beating Gov. Johnston Murray by
less than 1000 votes four years
ago.
Democrats chose Mr.. williams,
salty tongued. 62-year- old Caddo
barber and rancher whose "ob-
scene postal cards got him in
trouble with Federal officials, as
their candidate for LIEUTENANT
Governor. Mr.. williams defeated
James E. Berry, 70. seeking his
sixth term, 221, 1873 to 201, 692,
with almost all votes tabulated.
Mock Defeats Fields.
Fred Mock, a political new
conner who served briefly as
United States district attorney
here. won the, Republican nod
to face Senator Robert S. Kerr,
Democrat, in the November 2
general election. He defeated
Raymond Fields, Guymon pub
Usher and party stalwart seeking
the nomination for the second
time, 22.391 to 19,494, on the
basis Of returns from 1855 of
the States 1854 precincts. !,
The vote for Governor, in 1882
precincts. was 250.512 for Mr..
Gary and 233. 1923 for Mr.. Coe.
Mr.. Williams upset of Mr..
Berry was one of the biggest in
recent Oklahoma election his
tory.
Mr.. Williams, until last year
unknown outside his own small
community in Southern Okla
homa. parlayed an unusual
name, his humor-f1lled battle
with postal officials and q couple
of Mr.. Berry's political misfor-
tunes into victory.
Mr.. Williams meteoric rise to
the public eye began when the
Post Office Department cracked
down on postal card invitations
he mailed to cattlemen during
last years drought when live
stock prices were low.
He invited "all those who
voted for Ike" to a free kicking
and a free barbecue with all
the crow you can eat" the day
after you are foreclosed."
Postal officials rejected Mr..
Williams explanation he meant
a donkey kicking" ruled the
cards were obscene and has since
impounded his mail.
Mr.. Berry's stock dropped
before the July 6 primary
when he requisitioned highway
patrol car and trooper to chauf-
feur him to a bridge dedication.
The incident occurred during
highway emergency declared by
Gov. Murray to cut down the
traffic death toll. -
A second such request was re-
jected. And almost on election
eve. he received a summons to
Police Court here after a traffic
accident.
Was Second in First Primary.
These factors combined to
place Mr.. Williams second to
Mr.. Berry in the first primary
in a field of 10, and he rocketed
from 70,000-vote deficit to a
victory in the runoff.
Mr.. Williams faces Kenneth
w. Gray, Tulsa Republican, in
the general election. The
G. o. P. has never elected a Gov
ernor or a Lieutenant Governor
in Oklahoma. The Governor is
constitutionally prohibited from
a second consecutive term.
Republican Reuben Sparks,
Woodward attorney, has already
started his general election cam
paign for Governor, making cap
ital of the bitter personal battle
between Mr.. Coe and Mr.. Gary.
All six Oklahoma Congress
men-five Democrats and a Re-
publican-were renominated in
the primary and face general
election opposition.
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