Attorney General Gentner Drummond (R) and former State Senator Mike Mazzei (R) advanced to yesterday’s Republican gubernatorial primary runoff after defeating seven other candidates in the June 16 primary. Drummond narrowly led Mazzei, receiving roughly 26.3% of the vote to Mazzei’s 26.0%, with neither candidate approaching the 50% threshold needed to avoid the runoff. Each candidate spent upward of $9 million on advertising for the primary.
Ultimately, Mazzei prevailed in the runoff defeating Drummond by approximately 2,000 votes. Mazzei was backed by a Trump endorsement and has heavily self-funded his campaign. Given the state's strong Republican lean, the Republican primary is widely viewed as the de facto general election: Mazzei is expected to be sworn in as the state's next governor.
Mazzei served 12 years in the Oklahoma Senate and later as Secretary of Budget for Governor Stitt. During his time in the legislature, he focused on fiscal responsibility, taxes, and economic growth. His campaign platform for governor centers on fiscal conservatism, lower taxes, government reform, and a socially conservative agenda. Policy priorities include eliminating property taxes for seniors and veterans, addressing foreign land ownership, education, and government accountability and efficiency.
The Cook Political Report rates the governor’s race as Solid Republican, and Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates the race as Safe Republican.