Way back when: Today in history 1962-Nov-12

1962 The Democrats' stranglehold on the Governor's Office was broken after 55 years of Oklahoma statehood by Henry Bellmon. So firmly did Democrats dominate state politics up to that time that there were few Republican primary elections, and people said they had to register as Democrats in order to have a real vote. Many Republicans became "registered" Democrats and voted in the primary for the weakest candidate so the Republicans would have a chance for victory in the general election.