Trump-backed Mike Mazzei wins Oklahoma GOP governor runoff

Mike Mazzei, a former Oklahoma state senator and financial planner, won the Republican gubernatorial runoff on Tuesday, defeating Attorney General Gentner Drummond to secure the GOP nomination. Mazzei now stands as the heavy favorite to become Oklahoma's next governor in a state where Republicans dominate statewide elections.

Mazzei's campaign centered on eliminating Oklahoma's income tax within six years and abolishing property taxes for seniors and veterans. He also campaigned on preventing foreign nationals from purchasing state land, strengthening the education system, and increasing government spending accountability. Trump endorsed Mazzei in May, calling him a "MAGA warrior" and praising his record as a businessman and former chairman of the state Senate Finance Committee, as well as secretary of budget. Trump wrote that Mazzei "knows the AMERICA FIRST Policies required to Grow our Economy, Create GREAT Jobs, Cut Taxes and Regulations."

Drummond, a multigenerational rancher and decorated former fighter pilot, campaigned on his record as attorney general, citing his crackdowns on illegal marijuana operations run by Chinese criminal networks and his enforcement of immigration law. According to his campaign website, he shut down thousands of illegal grow operations. He touted himself as tough on crime and pledged to stand with Trump on border security and deporting undocumented immigrants.

The initial primary on June 2 produced no candidate with 50 percent support, triggering the runoff. Governor Kevin Stitt, barred by term limits from seeking another term, endorsed Mazzei and has described Drummond as a "longtime political enemy." Stitt and Drummond sparred through lawsuits, open letters, and public criticism centered on Drummond's legal challenges to Oklahoma poultry companies over phosphorus pollution in water supplies. Stitt rebuffed those characterizations as an overreach that threatened agricultural jobs. Mazzei criticized Drummond's record as favoring tax increases and government growth, stating Drummond "doesn't understand money and finance" and that "crunching numbers is a skill you pick up when you earn your wealth rather than inherit it."

The Club for Growth, a conservative PAC, invested $9 million supporting Mazzei, with PAC President David McIntosh stating that Mazzei would advocate for lower taxes, fewer regulations, and school choice, while Drummond had opposed "school freedom." McIntosh added, "The message is clear, if you oppose school freedom and call yourself a Republican, expect to lose your next primary."

Mazzei will face Democrat Cyndi Munson, the minority leader in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, in the general election scheduled for November 3.