OKLAHOMA — Mike Mazzei loaned his campaign more than $11 million. Gentner Drummond loaned his campaign $3 million. Mazzei has spent $12.3 million in the gubernatorial race overall.

Drummond has spent about $9.1 million in the gubernatorial race overall. Drummond raised $7.1 million in campaign contributions excluding loans. Mazzei raised about $1.5 million in campaign contributions excluding loans.

President Donald Trump endorsed Mazzei ahead of the primary. Mazzei's campaign paid nearly $70,000 to Trump confidante Roger Stone for consulting services, according to Oklahoma Voice. Mazzei served as Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt's Secretary of Budget from 2019 to 2020.

No Oklahoma tribe has announced a formal endorsement for either Drummond or Mazzei. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. stated in February that Governor Stitt has been the most anti-tribe Governor in the state's history. Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill stated in February that tribes are looking forward to the next Governor who is willing to work with tribes. Governor Stitt called for future leaders to oppose tribal sovereignty and ensure equal application of laws under his "One Oklahoma" vision.

Nurse N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas received about 45% of the vote in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. Attorney and minister Jim Priest received about 24% of the vote in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas and Jim Priest will compete in a Democratic primary runoff for U.S. Senate.

The winner of the Democratic U.S. Senate primary will face Republican U.S. Representative Kevin Hern in the general election. Hern won the five-way Republican primary for U.S. Senate with about 70% of the vote.

The primary had Republicans picking their preferred successor to outgoing Republican Gov. Stitt and a nominee for the Senate seat once held by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, according to Oklahoma Voice. State Question 846 proposes amending the Oklahoma constitution to require voters to provide proof of identity to cast a ballot. Oklahoma state law already requires voters to provide proof of identity to cast a ballot. State Question 844 proposes changing how the state reimburses local governments for lost property tax revenue under an incentive program for manufacturing companies.

As of July 31, there were about 1.3 million registered Republicans in Oklahoma. As of July 31, there were 616,000 registered Democrats in Oklahoma. As of July 31, there were 500,000 independent voters not registered with any party in Oklahoma.

Roughly 169,000 votes were cast in the June 16 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. About 12% of Democratic primary ballots were cast early in-person or by mail in the June 16 state primaries. As of Friday, August 21, about 32,000 ballots had been cast in the Tuesday runoff election.

Oklahoma does not have automatic recounts for elections involving candidates. Candidates in Oklahoma may request and pay for a recount regardless of the vote margin. Republican primary runoffs for insurance commissioner, labor commissioner, and state superintendent are on the ballot.

Why It Matters

The runoff determines the Republican nominee for governor in a state where the party holds a registration advantage. With about 1.3 million registered Republicans compared to 616,000 Democrats and 500,000 independents as of July 31, the Republican primary effectively decides the next governor. The winner will face Democratic state House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson in the general election.

The race also shows the financial dynamics of modern campaigns, with Mazzei spending $12.3 million largely through personal loans and Drummond spending $9.1 million with a mix of loans and contributions. The outcome will influence policy directions on tribal relations, given the lack of formal endorsements and competing appeals from both candidates, as well as broader state issues reflected in the concurrent ballot measures on voter identification and manufacturing tax incentives.

Timeline

On November 25, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed to approve revisions to the State Implementation Plan for Oklahoma regarding air pollution control rules pursuant to the Clean Air Act. On February 1, 2026, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. stated that Governor Stitt has been the most anti-tribe Governor in the state's history. Also on February 1, 2026, Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill stated that tribes are looking forward to the next Governor who is willing to work with tribes.

On June 16, 2026, Drummond received 26.25% of the vote and Mazzei received 25.97% of the vote in the Republican primary for governor. On the same day, Attorney and minister Jim Priest received about 24% of the vote in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. Nurse N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas received about 45% of the vote in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate on June 16, 2026. Hern won the five-way Republican primary for U.S. Senate with about 70% of the vote on June 16, 2026.

What's New

Additional reporting indicates that Mazzei stated Oklahoma's 39 Native American tribes are the crown jewel of Oklahoma and give huge opportunities for economic growth and job growth. Mazzei also stated that the runoff is not about finding a candidate you agree with 100% of the time but about choosing a leader you can trust 100% of the time. He further stated that his wife and he really wanted to invest in the people of Oklahoma because they think Oklahoma has unlimited potential for growth and prosperity for the next generation.

Drummond stated he made it his mission to meet with all tribal leaders to build back that bridge for law enforcement when he first took office as Attorney General. According to Oklahoma Voice, Drummond is hoping his Hominy upbringing and military service will appeal to enough Republican rural voters to put him on top. The primary had Republicans picking their preferred successor to outgoing Republican Gov. Stitt and a nominee for the Senate seat once held by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

How Sources Differ

Regarding the status of Drummond and Mazzei, the Oklahoma State Election Board June 16, 2026 primary results report that Drummond received 26.25% of the vote and Mazzei received 25.97% of the vote in the June 16 Republican primary for governor.

Regarding the Republican primary for Drummond and Mazzei, the Oklahoma State Election Board June 16, 2026 primary results report that Drummond received 26.25% of the vote and Mazzei received 25.97% of the vote in the June 16 Republican primary for governor. The Oklahoma State Election Board candidate list states that State Attorney General Drummond and former state Senator Mazzei are the two candidates in the Republican gubernatorial primary runoff.

Regarding the primary, Republican, Kevin, and Senate connection, desk_web reports that the primary had Republicans picking their preferred successor to outgoing Republican Gov. Stitt and a nominee for the Senate seat once held by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

Regarding Priest and the Democratic primary for Senate, the Oklahoma State Election Board June 16, 2026 primary results report that Attorney and minister Jim Priest received about 24% of the vote in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

Regarding Kiyla Jasmine Thomas and the Democratic primary for Senate, the Oklahoma State Election Board June 16, 2026 primary results report that Nurse N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas received about 45% of the vote in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.