OKLAHOMA CITY — For the first time in history, Oklahoma voters on Tuesday removed an Oklahoma Supreme Court justice from the bench at the end of her term.

In a nonpartisan election, Oklahoma voters narrowly decided to retain James Edmondson and Noma Gurich, but not Yvonne Kauger, for another six-year term.

Kauger lost by just over 7,000 votes.

Gurich won retention by about 7,500 votes, while Edmondson won by about 29,200 votes.

The three have been targets of unusual campaigns aimed at persuading voters to remove them from the bench, critics who disagreed with some of their rulings and those who feared they were over 70.

Opponents of their retention argued that the three, appointed by Democratic governors, had found a series of legislative measures supported by lawmakers and the governor unconstitutional.

Proponents of retention argued that judges held impartial positions and followed the law when striking down unconstitutional laws.

They feared that dark money groups were trying to politicize the state court system, which is intended to serve as a check on the legislative and executive branches.

Before the election, Gov. Kevin Stitt urged residents on social media to vote against retention. He said he would vote no.

He said the judges struck down pro-business laws and thereby hindered meaningful reforms.

Stitt will appoint Kauger's successor. He currently holds three mandates on the nine-member board.