Who's In the Race

Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) faces Democrat Suzie Byrd in the Nov. 3 general election in Oklahoma's 3rd Congressional District. The race uses a standard ballot format, and the seat is not open. ​

Lucas has represented the district since 1994 and is a farmer by profession. He won the Republican primary with about 71 percent of the vote over Wade Burleson.

Byrd is a former Oklahoma State University athlete and former reporter for the Enid News & Eagle. She won the Democratic primary with about 67 percent of the vote over Jules Roberson.

What They Stand For

Lucas has supported reducing regulation affecting agriculture and energy production, according to his official House website. He's also supported:

  • Lowering taxes for families and businesses,
  • Increased border security and resources for law enforcement and border patrol; and
  • Described in his official House biography as a longtime advocate for American farmers.

Byrd has supported universal health care, according to the Oklahoma Voice voter guide. She's also proposed:

  • That health care for profit has made care unaffordable, according to a Ballotpedia candidate survey,
  • Opposing any vote to increase defense spending; and
  • A former Oklahoma State University athlete and former reporter for the Enid News & Eagle.

The Money Behind the Race

Lucas raised about $907,000 through June 30, according to Federal Election Commission filings, and had about $533,000 in cash on hand. Federal Election Commission filings show no debt on his account.

No Federal Election Commission fundraising figures were available for Byrd through the same period.

Outside spending in the race totaled zero dollars in completed transactions as of Oct. 13, though Defend American Jobs has filed notices of about $75,000 in pending independent expenditures supporting Lucas.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Every major handicapper rates this race as a safe Republican hold. The Cook Political Report rated the race Solid Republican as of Oct. 9; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 11; and Inside Elections rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 2.

On Kalshi, traders gave Republicans, whose nominee is Lucas, a 98 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 13, while Democrats, whose nominee is Byrd, stood at 2 percent.

The district's own history reinforces that picture. Lucas won the 3rd District in 2022 with about 75 percent of the vote. In 2024, Republican Frank D. Lucas won 100 percent of the vote. Republicans won all five of Oklahoma's U.S. House seats in both 2022 and 2024. Donald Trump carried Oklahoma in the 2024 presidential election with about 66 percent of the vote.

Voters in Oklahoma's 3rd District who have not yet made their plans should note the following deadlines and hours from the Oklahoma State Election Board: the voter-registration deadline was Friday, Oct. 9; the mail-ballot application deadline is Monday, Oct. 19, by 5:00 p.m.; early voting runs Wednesday, Oct. 28, through Friday, Oct. 30, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 31, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; and polls on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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