A dispute has emerged in the race for McIntosh County Commissioner District 1 after a candidate formally challenged the eligibility of a fellow candidate following the April filing period.

According to documents filed with the McIntosh County Election Board, candidate Loyal Dean Taylor submitted a petition challenging the candidacy of Jeffery Coleman.

In the petition filed April 7, Taylor alleges Coleman may not have properly completed the criminal history disclosure portion of his declaration of candidacy, specifically referencing a case filed in Cherokee Nation District Court. Taylor questioned whether the required information had been fully disclosed as part of the filing process.

Under Oklahoma law, candidates may challenge another candidate’s eligibility through a formal contest, which is then reviewed through a legal process.

Coleman filed a written response the following day, denying the allegation and affirming his eligibility for office. In his response, Coleman stated he has never been convicted of a crime and does not have any outstanding warrants. He further indicated that the criminal history disclosure section of his candidacy filing was completed and that the information provided was accurate.

Court documents show a hearing on the matter is scheduled for 10 a.m. April 16 at the McIntosh County Courthouse.

The contest follows the April 1–3 candidate filing period and comes as local races begin to take shape ahead of the June primary election.

No ruling had been issued at the time of publication.