A Republican primary runoff for Oklahoma governor is scheduled for Tuesday, with businessman Mike Mazzei facing state Attorney General Gentner Drummond for the GOP nomination to replace term-limited Gov. Kevin Stitt. Mazzei, a 61-year-old Tulsa-based investment firm founder and former state senator, received President Donald Trump’s endorsement in May. Drummond, a 62-year-old rancher and former Air Force pilot elected attorney general in 2022, finished slightly ahead in the initial June 16 primary, receiving approximately 26% of votes cast among nine candidates, with Mazzei receiving the same percentage and a margin of about 1,100 ballots separating the two.
Trump has repeatedly reaffirmed his support for Mazzei on his Truth Social platform and has sharply criticized Drummond, characterizing him as a “FAKE Republican.” Trump’s criticism centered on Drummond’s stated neutrality regarding Trump’s 2021 impeachment during a 2024 congressional hearing. In remarks to Oklahoma Republicans on Monday, Trump stated that Drummond “does not stand for the values of Oklahoma” and would be “a disaster.” Trump has carried Oklahoma by more than 65% in each of his three presidential races without losing a single county.
Drummond has suggested that Mazzei’s Trump endorsement resulted from campaign payments totaling $67,500 to a consulting firm operated by longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone. Both Trump and Drummond have criticized outgoing Gov. Stitt, whom Trump attacked as a “RINO” earlier this year during a National Governors Association dispute. Stitt endorsed Mazzei in the race.
The runoff campaign has generated more than $9 million in television and digital advertising spending through independent groups, supplementing nearly $40 million in earlier spending. Drummond has raised approximately $4.8 million more in direct contributions than Mazzei, though Mazzei has primarily funded his campaign through personal loans exceeding $11.9 million compared to Drummond’s loans of at least $3.5 million. The Republican nominee will face Democrat Cyndi Munson, an Oklahoma House minority leader, in the November general election, where Republicans are heavily favored to retain the governorship.
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