A Republican candidate for the Oklahoma State Senate has been found dead two days after he disappeared. Barry Christian, 54, was running for the 38th District seat and had worked as a drilling consultant for 35 years.
Christian was last seen on Tuesday and failed to attend a scheduled meeting on Wednesday morning, prompting a search. His charcoal grey 2024 Dodge Ram pickup truck was discovered crashed into a ravine in the Sandy Sanders Wildlife Management Area near Erick, Oklahoma. His body was recovered from the vehicle.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations is examining the truck, but no cause of death has been released. Crime scene technicians are on site, according to OSBI spokesman Hunter McKee. A discarded campaign sign was found near the vehicle, which is about 20 minutes from Christian's home in Sayre.
Campaign spokeswoman Vivienne Hasenbeck said the circumstances remain under investigation. Christian's daughter Brooklyn said the family was devastated and asked for privacy, stating, 'Our world is upside down right now.' She urged people to treat her father's legacy with dignity.
Christian had been endorsed by musician Kid Rock and described himself as the conservative choice for the district, vowing to stand with President Trump. His last campaign appearance was at the Mangum Oklahoma Rattlesnake Festival on Saturday.
