Mark Schlachtenhaufen
At about 9:20 p.m. Tuesday night, incumbent John Whetsel’s campaign was ready to claim victory in the race for Oklahoma County sheriff.
But Jim Heitmeyer was still hopeful of pulling out a last-minute win.
“I think we’re doing real good,” Heitmeyer said. “I think it’s not over yet. I think there’s a possibility we could win.”
Heitmeyer said the race was one of the cleanest in the state, memorable for the fact that unlike others it did not turn negative in recent weeks. Facing a steep uphill climb, he still wished Whetsel success, with a touch of personal optimism.
“I wish him good luck, and myself good luck as well,” Heitmeyer said.
At 10:45 p.m., with 305 of 305 precincts reporting, Whetsel had 168,679 votes, 61.95 percent of the total, and Heitmeyer had 103,592 votes, 38.05 percent of the total.
Whetsel, family members and supporters were watching election returns at Old Germany Restaurant in Choctaw. Whetsel said his day began at 1:30 a.m., when campaign signs were handed out to supporters.
At 7:30 a.m., Whetsel and his wife, Mitzi, attended Mass in Edmond at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. At 10 a.m. he voted in Choctaw, and at 5 p.m. he arrived at the popular restaurant.
Regarding the results and the present margin, Whetsel said he felt “great” about such a mandate from the voters. He said he was pleased with the number of county residents who had supported him during the campaign and those who went to the polls.
Whetsel said he was ready to pursue a number of objectives, including opening the sheriff’s office Deer Creek substation no later than mid-December or early January. When it opens, the “Deer Creek dozen,” 12 deputies, will patrol the area, he said.
Whetsel also wants to expand the TRIAD program, a collaborative effort between the sheriff’s office, local police departments and senior citizens working together to reduce and prevent crimes against senior citizens.
“Next year we want to add three,” Whetsel said.
Whetsel also wanted to grow an organization that supports grandparents raising grandchildren, and he hopes a committee working on Oklahoma County Jail issues will have some recommendations in December.
Since 1997, Whetsel has served as county sheriff. He began his law enforcement career in 1967, and he joined the Choctaw Police Department in 1973. He was the department’s chief of police for 21 years before being elected sheriff.
This will be his third term.
Election results will not include provisional ballot results until after 5 p.m. Friday. Results are subject to contest and recount and are not final until Friday.
they are certified by the State Election Board.
