The candidates for Oklahoma governor 2026 have narrowed to a two-person Republican runoff between Attorney General Gentner Drummond and former state Senator Mike Mazzei on August 25, 2026, with Democratic House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson and three independents waiting on the November general election ballot. The seat is open because Republican Governor Kevin Stitt is term-limited. Cook Political Report rates the race Solid Republican, with a partisan voting index of R+17.1Cook Political Report. Oklahoma Governor Race
Nine Republicans, three Democrats, and three independents filed for the race.2Oklahoma State Election Board. 2026 Candidate List Book In the June 16 Republican primary, no candidate cleared the majority Oklahoma law requires to avoid a runoff. Drummond finished first with 26.3 percent (105,832 votes), Mazzei second with 26.0 percent (104,691 votes), a margin of roughly 1,100 votes. Chip Keating took 18.4 percent, Jake Merrick 14.5 percent, and former House Speaker Charles McCall 11.8 percent. Munson won the Democratic primary with roughly 75 percent.3NPR. Oklahoma 2026 Primary Election Results
Gentner Drummond
Drummond is Oklahoma’s sitting attorney general, sworn in on January 9, 2023. A seventh-generation Oklahoman from Hominy, he flew F-15s in the Persian Gulf War and led the first combat mission of the conflict, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. He holds a law degree from Georgetown, served as an assistant district attorney in Pawnee and Osage Counties, and founded Tulsa-based Drummond Law in 1999.4Oklahoma Attorney General. Attorney General Bio5National Association of Attorneys General. Gentner Drummond
As AG, he created the office’s first Organized Crime Task Force, which he credits with cutting licensed marijuana grows from over 9,000 to fewer than 2,100. He worked with lawmakers on legislation allowing the incarceration of illegal immigrants and on bills strengthening prosecutions for rape, child pornography, and fentanyl distribution.4Oklahoma Attorney General. Attorney General Bio
On the trail he has emphasized lowering homeowner insurance costs, continued funding for the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority, and expanded certified community behavioral health centers as an alternative to emergency room care for mental health crises. On tribal jurisdiction he holds the outlier position in the Republican field: he opposes state concurrent jurisdiction and prefers compacts that would let state prosecutors bring cases in the name of tribal governments.6NonDoc. Oklahoma GOP Gubernatorial Candidates Talk Tribes Schools Health Care and Corruption in Debate
His record carries one significant controversy. In October 2024, Oklahoma City police sergeant Joseph Gibson body-slammed 71-year-old Lich Vu during a traffic stop, causing spinal and facial fractures and a brain bleed. Vu died in October 2025, and his attorney stated the injuries “hastened his death.”7NonDoc. Lich Vu Dies Nearly a Year After OKCPD Encounter Left Him Seriously Injured Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna had charged Gibson with aggravated assault and battery, but Drummond assumed control of the case in December 2024 and dismissed the charge, saying he did not believe the officer exhibited criminal intent. Shortly after, the statewide Fraternal Order of Police voted unanimously to endorse his gubernatorial campaign.8NonDoc. Endorsed by Oklahoma FOP Gentner Drummond Running for Governor in 2026 A petition with more than 4,500 signatures has called for Drummond to return prosecutorial authority to the district attorney and release investigative files.9OKCFOX. Petition Demanding Justice for Lich Vu Gains More Than 4500 Signatures Charles McCall raised the dismissal during the May debate, calling it “bad optics” tied to the FOP endorsement.6NonDoc. Oklahoma GOP Gubernatorial Candidates Talk Tribes Schools Health Care and Corruption in Debate
Mike Mazzei
Mazzei, 60, is the founder and CEO of Trinity Strategic Wealth, a Tulsa financial planning firm that manages over $1.5 billion in client assets.10Mike For OK. Why Mike He moved to Oklahoma in 1983, was elected to the state Senate in 2004 representing District 25, and served 12 years. He chaired the Senate Finance Committee for a decade and built a record as a pension reformer, co-authoring 2011 legislation that raised the retirement age for future state employees and pushing bills requiring full funding before retirement systems could offer cost-of-living adjustments.11The Oklahoman. Mike Mazzei Governor Campaign Republican Primary Election 2026 In December 2018, Governor Stitt appointed him Oklahoma’s first Secretary of Budget, a post he held until late 2020. Mazzei says the state’s savings account grew to over $1 billion during that period.
His platform centers on eliminating the state income tax, phasing out property taxes for seniors and veterans, strengthening border and land-ownership laws, and creating a statewide literacy program.12News 9. Who Should I Vote For Leading Oklahoma Governor Candidates at a Glance
On May 29, 2026, President Donald Trump endorsed Mazzei via Truth Social, calling him a “MAGA Warrior” and declaring his “Complete and Total Endorsement.”13Journal Record. Trump Endorses Mike Mazzei Oklahoma Governor June Primaries Mazzei described the endorsement as the result of “months of communication” with the White House. It drew scrutiny of $67,000 in payments from the Mazzei campaign to Republican operative and Trump confidant Roger Stone for consulting, which Mazzei characterized by saying Stone was one of many political advisers.14KOCO. Oklahoma Mazzei Addresses Trump Endorsement Roger Stone Payments
Cyndi Munson
Munson is the Oklahoma House minority leader and the first Asian American woman elected to the state legislature. She won the Democratic primary decisively with about 75 percent of the vote (129,225 ballots), defeating former state Senator Connie Johnson and a candidate named Arya.3NPR. Oklahoma 2026 Primary Election Results15Oklahoma Voice. Governor Democrat Voter Guide She has criticized state spending on private school vouchers.16KOCO. Democratic Candidates Oklahoma Governors Race 2026 Primary Munson spent approximately $1.3 million during the primary cycle.17The Oklahoman. Top 10 Candidate Spending Oklahoma Primary Election 2026
Independent Candidates on the November Ballot
Three independents filed during the April 2026 filing period and will appear on the November ballot: Jerry Griffin of Tulsa, Robert E. Brooks Sr. of Moore, and Orlando Lynn Bush of Edmond.2Oklahoma State Election Board. 2026 Candidate List Book Oklahoma runs a closed primary, so independent voters could not participate in the June primary unless a party opened its process to them; for 2026, no party did.18Oklahoma State Election Board. Primary and Runoff Primary Elections
Where the Candidates Differ
Taxes
Eliminating or reducing the state income tax has been a near-universal Republican position. Mazzei has paired it with a proposal to abolish property taxes for seniors and veterans.12News 9. Who Should I Vote For Leading Oklahoma Governor Candidates at a Glance During the primary, Mazzei attacked McCall for what he called the “largest tax increase in Oklahoma history,” and McCall responded that Mazzei left behind the “worst economy in state history” during his time in the Senate.6NonDoc. Oklahoma GOP Gubernatorial Candidates Talk Tribes Schools Health Care and Corruption in Debate
Tribal Relations
Governor Stitt’s contentious dealings with Oklahoma’s 38 federally recognized tribes, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s McGirt v. Oklahoma decision, loom over the race. At an April 2026 forum, the four leading Republicans were asked whether they shared Stitt’s view that McGirt created two justice systems based on race. None agreed, and all promised to negotiate tribal compacts, something Stitt vetoed.19ICT News. Oklahoma Primary Election Features Race to Replace Oklahoma Governor In the May 28 debate, Mazzei supported state concurrent jurisdiction over crimes involving tribal members; Drummond was the sole opponent of that approach and preferred compacts letting state prosecutors act in the name of tribal governments.6NonDoc. Oklahoma GOP Gubernatorial Candidates Talk Tribes Schools Health Care and Corruption in Debate
Education and Mental Health
Mazzei alleged that hundreds of Oklahoma school districts are run by “radical socialists” and proposed requiring school board candidates to declare a political party. On mental health, Drummond supported certified community behavioral health centers and called for clinical leadership at the Department of Mental Health.6NonDoc. Oklahoma GOP Gubernatorial Candidates Talk Tribes Schools Health Care and Corruption in Debate Munson has made public education her signature issue on the Democratic side.16KOCO. Democratic Candidates Oklahoma Governors Race 2026 Primary
The Runoff Math
Roughly 45 percent of Republican primary voters backed candidates who are no longer in the race, and their preferences will decide the August 25 runoff.20Gaylord News. Drummond Mazzei Advance to Runoff in Oklahoma GOP Governors Race Chip Keating, 46, is a businessman and son of former two-term Governor Frank Keating; he served as Stitt’s secretary of public safety and ran as an outsider proposing to eliminate the state income tax and deploy the National Guard against illegal marijuana operations.21Oklahoma Voice. Businessman Former Oklahoma Trooper Chip Keating Embraces Outsider Status in Bid for Governor Charles McCall, from Atoka, was state House Speaker from 2017 to 2024, the longest speakership in state history, and CEO of AmeriState Bank.22Oklahoma House of Representatives. Charles McCall Former state Senator Jake Merrick of Tuttle ran on government accountability and a refusal to accept lobbyist or PAC money.23NonDoc. In Governors Race Jake Merrick Other GOP Candidates Outline Policy Ideas As of mid-June, neither Merrick nor McCall had endorsed either runoff candidate.
Drummond has framed the contest as “a brand new race” and a choice between “results and rhetoric.” Mazzei has invited supporters of the eliminated candidates to join his campaign, leaning on his Trump endorsement.20Gaylord News. Drummond Mazzei Advance to Runoff in Oklahoma GOP Governors Race
Money in the Race
The Republican candidates collectively loaned their own campaigns more than $22 million. Mazzei led with $10.9 million in self-funding, McCall with $5.6 million, Keating with $3.5 million, and Drummond with $2.5 million.24Oklahoma Voice. Oklahoma Governor Candidates Funnel 22 Million in Personal Money to Campaigns Drummond reported $6.9 million in total spending including individual contributions.17The Oklahoman. Top 10 Candidate Spending Oklahoma Primary Election 2026
Outside spending was heavier still. Between April 1 and June 14, outside groups reported $27.5 million in independent expenditures, much of it routed through 501(c)(4) organizations that are not required to disclose donors.25Oklahoma Watch. Republican Primaries for Governor Attorney General Drive Record Outside Spending The Club for Growth’s School Freedom Fund spent over $4.3 million attacking Drummond. The Make Oklahoma Great Again PAC spent more than $3.8 million supporting Drummond and opposing Mazzei, and drew criticism for ads featuring deepfake animations of Mazzei and McCall. Mazzei alone faced more than $4.3 million in attack ads from outside groups.26The Oklahoman. Dark Money PACs Oklahoma Governors Republican Primary 2026 Total spending on the governor’s race is projected at roughly $39 million.27Journal Record. Republican Runoff Oklahoma Governor Gentner Drummond Mike Mazzei