Mike Mazzei narrowly won the Republican nomination for Oklahoma governor, defeating Attorney General Gentner Drummond by about 2,000 votes. Mazzei credited President Donald Trump’s endorsement with helping him secure the victory and spent about $11.6 million of his own money on the campaign. He has promised to promote economic growth by eliminating the state income tax and ending property taxes for seniors and veterans. Mazzei will face Democrat Cyndi Munson and three independent candidates in the November 3 general election.
Oklahoma’s Republican Senate leadership gained ground after voters ousted two incumbents aligned with the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus, a group that had frequently clashed with more moderate GOP leaders. Aaron Forst defeated Sen. Dana Prieto, while Tyler Herring defeated Sen. Jack Stewart, weakening the Freedom Caucus after several other recent losses. Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton said the results showed voters wanted more unified, results-focused conservative leadership. The article also notes that voters overwhelmingly rejected State Question 844, which would have given lawmakers greater control over property-tax reimbursements to local governments and schools.
Oklahoma voters decided several major statewide races in the 2026 primary runoff,with Mike Mazzei winning the Republican nomination for governor and Robert Franklin winning the GOP nomination for state superintendent. Kevin West won the Republican runoff for labor commissioner, Bob Sullivan won the Republican insurance commissioner runoff, and N’Kiyla “Jasmine” Thomas won the Democratic runoff for U.S. Senate. Voters also approved State Question 846, which adds a voter identification requirement to the state constitution, while rejecting State Question 844, which would have changed how local governments are reimbursed for certain property tax breaks. These results determine which candidates will advance to the November general election in several key statewide contests.
Oklahoma State Auditor Cyndi Byrd identified nearly $25 million in questionable federal spending across the Department of Human Services, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, and Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. DHS accounted for the largest share, including $14.5 million in questioned child care spending tied to inadequate oversight, verification problems, and irregular check-in records. Auditors also questioned $3.8 million in emergency rental assistance spending and more than $6 million spent planning a behavioral health facility that was never built. Byrd warned that the federal government could require Oklahoma to repay questioned funds and called for stronger oversight of taxpayer money.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“If you had told me 10 years ago that today I would be standing in front of you as the Republican nominee for governor, I would have never believed you,” Mike Mazzei said as he won the republican gubernatorial run off . “God can do impossible things when you put your trust in Him and you never give up.”