Republican voters in House District 35 cast ballots in a special primary election Tuesday, but since none of the five candidates earned more than 50% of the vote, they will have to return to the polls next month to choose their party’s candidate.

Ag business owner Dillon Travis of Maramec and former Pawnee County sheriff Mike Waters were the top two finishers for the vacant seat, earning 30.4% and 21% of the vote, respectively. That’s according to unofficial results from the state election board.

Vote totals were tight between the second, third and fourth place finishers. Waters finished just 11 votes ahead of James Winn, a farmer and rancher from Mannford and 16 votes ahead of Jennings mayor Kevin Wright. Hominy small business owner Amber Roberts finished a distant fifth.

The top two candidates — Travis and Waters — now advance to a runoff primary election on Jan. 13.

Travis puts rural roads and bridges, education culture wars and drug enforcement among his top issues, while Waters’ priorities include public safety, agriculture and veterans' services.

The winner of the runoff will face Democrat Luke Kruse in the Feb. 10 general election.

The general election winner will fill a seat vacated by former Representative Ty Burns of Pawnee, who resigned in October after pleading guilty to domestic abuse and assault charges.

The northern Oklahoma district covers portions of five counties, including Creek, Noble, Osage, Pawnee and Payne.