Cleveland County Republicans will go back to the polls Tuesday to choose a state senator and a GOP nominee county sheriff.

The runoff election is set for Aug. 26.

In the race for county sheriff, Norman Republican Joe Lester faces Mark Hamm, a Republican from Moore. The race which will decide who faces Democrat Rick Adkins in the Nov. 4 general election.

In July, Lester was captured the most votes with 5,236 while Hamm followed a close second, earning 5,130 ballots.

“We’re going to a runoff — that’s just the way it is,” Lester said in July.

Hamm said he, too, was ready for the election.

“We’re elated, just really excited,” he said earlier this summer. “My opponent Mr. Lester spent tens of thousands of dollars, while my results have come from the doors I’ve knocked, the hands I’ve shaken, the phone calls we’ve made. Mine is a very grassroots campaign. I’m very excited about the possibilities and looking forward to the runoff. Cleveland County is on the edge of great new things and I would love to take us there.”

In the northern Cleveland County, a former Army colonel will face an ex-congressional aide for the state Senate District 45 seat.

Republicans Steve Russell and Kyle Loveless, took the most votes in July’s five-way primary election. Russell earned 2,307 votes to Loveless’ 1,526.

Because no Democrat filed in the race, Tuesday’s election is a winner-take-all runoff.

In July, Loveless said he was pleased by his campaign.

“Always remember, Rocky didn’t win the first bout,” he said. “But he took the second.”

Loveless said his message, coupled with the fact he walked most of the district, appealed to voters.

“We didn’t get an infusion of cash like Russell did,” he said. “We didn’t have commercials on channels 4, 5 and 9. I believe it was my message of lower taxes and better roads and bridges. I think they appreciated me talking with them at their doors, as opposed to being talked at.”

Earlier, Russell said he was “humbled” by the vote.