State Senate District 1 Republican candidate bows out to Democratic incumbent

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A state Senate district in far northeast Oklahoma will remain in Democratic hands after the Republican candidate pulled out of the race.

Republican Michael Romero of Miami withdrew on Monday from the race for the Senate District 1, which stretches across four counties and includes the communities of Miami, Jay and Vinita.

Romero's withdrawal means Democratic state Sen. Charles Wyrick of Fairland will automatically be elected to serve a final four-year term in office.

Republicans currently have a 32-16 advantage over Democrats in the Senate, and the GOP was targeting Wyrick's seat for a pickup.

Ottawa County Republican Party Chairman Jay Calan, who served as Romero's campaign manager, says Romero withdrew after receiving an offer to serve as the chief financial officer for an Oklahoma City-based company.