Election board denies two challenges to candidates

Tuesday, June 13th 2006, 12:25 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The state election board this morning denied two challenges to the qualifications of two members of the state House of Representatives who are running for re-election.

The board denied a challenge against Representative Rebecca Hamilton of Oklahoma City filed by candidate Pam Cross. Cross is running against Hamilton for the Democratic nomination and questioned whether Hamilton lived in the district she represents.

The board says Cross failed to legally notify Hamilton of the challenge and dismissed it.

In the second case the election board rejected a challenge against Democratic Representative Ryan Kiesel of Seminole filed by Republican Billy Choate.

Choate said Kiesel doesn't live in the district because he claimed a homestead exemption on a house in Oklahoma City.

The board denied the challenge after Kiesel presented evidence he paid utility bills on a home in Seminole, is registered to vote in Seminole and is a member of several civic clubs there.