Former state Senator Mike Mazzei secured the Republican nomination for governor in Oklahoma. NBC News reports this outcome marks a victory for President Donald Trump’s preferred candidate. Mazzei narrowly defeated state Attorney General Gentner Drummond by approximately 2,000 votes in the GOP primary runoff.
The initial June primary was similarly close. Drummond initially took the lead by just over 1,000 votes against Mazzei. However, with no candidate in the crowded field taking a majority, the contest proceeded to a runoff.
In the lead-up to the runoff, Drummond managed to outpace Mazzei in fundraising and spending. Reports indicated that Drummond raised $2.3 million between the mid-June primary and the Tuesday runoff, while Mazzei gathered $816,000. Both candidates also contributed significant personal loans to their campaigns, with Mazzei loaning $11 million and Drummond $3 million.
President Trump first endorsed Mazzei in May as a successor to term-limited Governor Kevin Stitt. Trump consistently supported the former state lawmaker. Last week, on Truth Social, Trump praised Mazzei while criticizing Drummond. Trump wrote, “Drummond is not the right guy. He’s got a bad attitude, and he doesn’t stand for the values of Oklahoma, which must VOTE FOR ‘MIKE MAZZEI FOR GOVERNOR,’ on Tuesday, August 25th.”
Tensions increased when Drummond opposed the construction of a large aluminum smelter in Inola, Oklahoma. He cited environmental and public health concerns. Trump criticized Drummond’s stance, arguing the plant would significantly benefit the state and the country.
Drummond also disagreed with President Trump on international trade policies. Recently, Drummond opposed the president’s decision to waive tariffs on some beef imports, aimed at lowering U.S. beef prices. Drummond remarked that such policies harm Oklahoma’s agricultural sector, echoing sentiments from GOP lawmakers in states with substantial cattle herding communities.
Despite some setbacks in previous gubernatorial endorsements, Trump’s backing remains highly influential in GOP politics. With Tuesday’s win, Mazzei emerges as the favored candidate to win the November general election, reflecting Oklahoma’s strong Republican base. Mazzei will compete against Democratic state Representative Cyndi Munson in the general election.