Oklahoma Republican, Tainted by House Overdraft Scandal, Ousted

One Oklahoma congressman lost a primary election Tuesday, while another appeared headed for a runoff.

U.S. Rep. Mickey Edwards, a 16-year congressman tainted by the House bank overdraft scandal, ran third in a field of five candidates. Edwards, 55, the fourth-ranking Republican member of the House, conceded defeat in a tearful statement.

“I started in Republican politics a quarter century ago,” he said. “It’s been good and it’s been great.”

With 100% of the precincts reporting, Bill Price, a former U.S. attorney, had 37%; State Rep. Ernest J. Istook had 32% and Edwards 26%. Two other candidates trailed far behind.

Edwards, seeking an eighth term, asked voters in his Oklahoma City district to forgive him for writing hundreds of bad checks in Washington. Price and Istook stressed congressional reform.

U.S. Rep. Mike Synar, a 41-year-old Democrat first elected to Congress in 1978, appeared headed for a runoff. He faced three opponents, including Drew Edmondson, whose father, Ed, once represented the same district in eastern Oklahoma around Muskogee.

With 67% of the vote counted, Synar had 43% and Edmondson had 39%. Two others trailed far behind.

Edmondson accused Synar of being out of touch with his constituents. Synar said Edmondson was a tool of special interests, including the tobacco industry.