Republican voters in a central Oklahoma House district have ousted their high-ranking representative, who had drawn controversy for his use and support of sewage fertilizer on area farms. 

Rep. Kevin Wallace, who has represented the district for nearly a decade and was serving as the chair of the high-profile House budget committee, was beaten by Jim Shaw in Tuesday’s Republican primary runoff.  

Many farms in the mostly rural district use biosolid fertilizer, which is treated sewage that is high in nutrients. 

However, there has been growing concern over the chemicals found in biosolid fertilizers and their impact on the environment and human health. 

In recent years, towns and residents in this central Oklahoma community have pushed back on the use of biosolid fertilizer, Investigate Midwest recently reported. 

Wallace, who said he uses biosolid fertilizer on his own property, was confronted by voters at a recent forum who urged him to discontinue the practice and support a statewide ban. 

Wallace said he supported a farmer’s right to do what they wanted on their property. 

“The biosolids sludge is regulated by the Department of Environmental Quality, I have used it twice … it has been legal to use in this state for eight years now,” Wallace said at the forum. 

Shaw, who won Tuesday’s election with 54% of the vote, openly campaigned against biosolid fertilizer. He also ran against the growth of wind and solar farms, especially projects owned by foreign-backed companies. 

“This victory belongs wholly to the people of House District 32 who have believed in our cause and spent their own time, energy, and treasure to fight against the green energy agenda and hostile foreign ownership of our land,” Shaw said in an election night statement. “I want to applaud the voters of this district for record turnout tonight and for refusing to sit back and watch the place we call home be destroyed.”

Because no Democrat or independent candidate filed for the election, Shaw’s primary win automatically made him the next District 32 representative. His term will begin in January. 

Oklahoma lawmakers advanced a bill this year that sought to protect wastewater treatment systems and companies from liability over the chemicals found in biosolid fertilizers. The bill eventually stalled but its movement indicated the Legislature does not see a need to restrict biosolid fertilizer use in the state, which topped 47,000 tons last year. 

One state senator has filed bills to limit biosolid fertilizer use but his legislation did not receive a hearing. 

Shaw told Investigate Midwest he would support a statewide ban. 

“I would say the awareness of (biosolid fertilizer) has significantly increased in recent months, especially during the campaign,” Shaw said. “I’m all for property rights, but my right to swing my fist stops where it hits your nose, … and once (the fertilizer) is applied it does reach beyond the four corners of your property.”

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