Pawnee County Republican wins special election, extends GOP supermajority

Dillon Travis, a rancher and businessman, easily won the House District 35 special election.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Dillon Travis, a Republican rancher and businessman from Pawnee County, won a special general election last week to fill the vacant House District 35 seat, extending the Republican Party's supermajority in the Oklahoma state legislature.

Why it matters

The special election victory for the GOP in this rural Oklahoma district maintains the Republican Party's dominant control of the state legislature, allowing them to continue advancing their policy agenda with minimal opposition.

The details

Travis, a political newcomer, won the special election handily, capitalizing on the district's strong Republican lean. The seat became vacant after the previous representative resigned, triggering the special election.

  • The special general election was held on February 11, 2026.
  • The previous representative resigned, triggering the special election.

The players

Dillon Travis

A Republican rancher and businessman from Pawnee County who won the special election for House District 35.

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The takeaway

The Republican Party's continued dominance in the Oklahoma state legislature will allow them to maintain their policy agenda and influence in the state, despite the district's rural and conservative leanings.