Tea Party-backed Challenger Bridenstine Upsets US Rep. Sullivan in Oklahoma Republican Primary

OKLAHOMA CITY  — Tea party-backed challenger Jim Bridenstine upset US Rep. John Sullivan in Oklahoma Republican primary.

Navy pilot Bridenstine defeated five-term incumbent Sullivan to capture the Republican nomination in Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District.

Bridenstine is a political newcomer who ran a campaign that attempted to paint Sullivan as a career politician who had grown out of touch with working-class Oklahomans. He also criticized Sullivan for missing votes; the incumbent missed votes in 2009 while being treated for alcoholism.

Both men squabbled over Sullivan's voting record, who held the more important job in the private sector and which one would be the most conservative candidate for the job.

Bridenstine will now face small business owner John Olson, a Democrat, and Independent Craig Allen, an airline pilot. They'll both be on the 1st District ballot in November.