Oklahoma Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei delivers his closing remarks at a televised debate in Tulsa, Okla., Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. (Jake Ramsey/Oklahoma Watch via AP)
Former Oklahoma state Sen. Mike Mazzei is projected to win the Republican nomination for Oklahoma governor, giving President Donald Trump, who endorsed him, a win in one of his favorite states.
Read more Political Operatives Warn Campaigns: Don’t Trust Prediction Markets
Mazzei defeated Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who has faced criticism from Trump and Gov. Kevin Stitt, in a primary runoff Tuesday. He will face the Democratic nominee, Oklahoma state House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, in November — but given the state’s red tilt, Mazzei is all but assured to win the governor’s mansion.
Mazzei entered the race in 2024 as an underdog compared to candidates such as Drummond, former state House Speaker Charles McCall and former Secretary of Public Safety Chip Keating. Compared to them, Mazzei had much less name recognition and a much smaller role in state politics.
However, after he spent millions of his own money and rose in the polls, he was endorsed by Trump just weeks before the initial June primary. This helped Mazzei advance to the runoff. That he’s won the nomination will give Trump a boost after a recent losing streak in gubernatorial primaries.
Trending
-
Billionaire’s WSJ Op-Ed Criticizing Bessent Was Written With AI
-
‘They Want Us All To Leave’: Interior Reassigns Dozens of Senior Staff
-
Hasan Piker Roils Michigan Senate Race
-
The Better Things Look for Democrats in 2026, the Worse They Could Be in 2028
Stitt also chose to endorse Mazzei in the runoff. The governor’s relationship with Drummond grew toxic over their time in state politics.
Read more How Corporate PAC Money Gets to Democrats Who Swore It Off
Drummond and Stitt have publicly taken stabs at each other, including in court on tribal sovereignty and private charter schools receiving taxpayer funding.
This wasn’t always the case. At one point in their careers, the two had a good working relationship — both were wealthy men from the Tulsa area who ran in similar circles.
The relationship soured after Stitt picked John O’Connor over Drummond to fill what was left of former Attorney General Mike Hunter’s term after he resigned in 2021. O’Connor lost to Drummond two years later.
The animosity led to Stitt and much of his political team working to ensure Drummond didn’t become governor. While Stitt waited until the runoff lineup was set to endorse in the race, many of his staffers worked for other candidates in the primary.
Read more Democrats Embrace ‘Redboxing’ Loophole in Hot Congressional Races
About the Author
