Election Filing Period Ends

Monday, June 5th 2006, 6:16 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The three-day filing period for state, legislative and federal offices ends at the state Capitol. A total of 594 candidates filed by the 5 PM deadline, eclipsing the record of 574 that filed during a similar election four years ago.

An Oklahoma City doctor filed Wednesday as a Democrat for Congress in the Fifth District while another Democrat dropped out of the race.

Doctor David Hunter filed for the seat while Oklahoma County Court Clerk Patricia Presley withdrew from the race and endorsed Hunter.

Presley switched from the Republican to Democratic Party before announcing plans to run for Congress.

Hunter will face former Democratic nominee Bert Smith in the primary.

Six Republicans are seeking their party's nomination for the seat now held by Republican Congressman Ernest Istook.

Istook is running for governor.

The GOP candidates are Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode, state Representatives Fred Morgan and Kevin Calvey, Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and Doctor Johnny Roy of Edmond.