Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has filed a lawsuit against State Farm, alleging the company systematically underpaid and wrongfully denied legitimate hail and wind damage claims made by Oklahoma policyholders. The lawsuit claims State Farm engaged in deceptive business practices that violated state consumer protection and racketeering laws, and seeks civil penalties, restitution, and other legal remedies. The case follows a previous ruling that prevented Drummond from joining a private lawsuit filed by a Broken Arrow couple, whose denied roof damage claim became a focal point of the broader allegations. Drummond argues the lawsuit is intended to protect consumers and hold the insurer accountable for practices that allegedly prioritized cost savings over honoring policies.
A new multicounty grand jury report found that Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt exchanged 16 phone calls with political donor Rod Polston after Rod’s wife, Sara Polston, pleaded guilty to a drunk driving crash and shortly before her early release from prison. While investigators found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing, they said the calls raised concerns about political favoritism in Sara Polston’s release through the state’s GPS monitoring program after serving only 73 days of an eight-year sentence. Sara Polston had been convicted for a 2023 crash that left a 20-year-old woman with severe brain injuries after driving nearly twice the legal blood alcohol limit at high speed. The report adds to ongoing scrutiny over whether personal and political connections influenced the decision to grant her early release.
The Oklahoma Council on Judicial Complaints has acknowledged that the state’s rule prohibiting judicial candidates from publicly identifying with a political party is likely unconstitutional, following a lawsuit filed by district judge candidate Scott Loftis. The case argues that the restriction violates candidates’ First Amendment rights by limiting political speech, and the council has agreed not to oppose a narrowly tailored injunction blocking enforcement of the rule. While the lawsuit continues, a federal judge has not yet ruled, leaving uncertainty over whether judicial candidates can openly campaign as Republicans or Democrats in this election cycle. The case could reshape Oklahoma’s long-standing system of nonpartisan judicial elections and campaign rules.
A review of Oklahoma’s 2026 Republican gubernatorial primary shows candidates spent dramatically different amounts of money to win votes, with campaign costs ranging from about $1.37 to $139 per vote received. Front-runner Gentner Drummond spent roughly $66 per vote, while runoff opponent Mike Mazzei spent about $104 per vote despite investing nearly $10.9 million, much of it from his own money. Jake Merrick ran the most cost-effective campaign, spending just $1.37 per vote through a grassroots effort, while Charles McCall spent the most per vote at approximately $139. Candidates are expected to continue raising and spending heavily ahead of the August runoff and November general election.
Upcoming Deadlines
House of Representatives
June 26, 2026: Interim study filing deadline
July 24, 2026: Deadline for the Speaker to approve or disapprove interim studies
State Senate
June 26, 2026: Interim studies must be submitted
July 9, 2026: Deadline for the Pro Tem to approve interim studies
October 30, 2026: Interim studies must be heard in committee
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Darrell Weaver has spent his career protecting Oklahomans, and Cleveland County couldn’t ask for a more qualified leader,” Attorney General Gentner Drummond said regarding Senator Weaver being appointed the new Cleveland County Sheriff. “From his extensive service at Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics to his work in the Oklahoma Senate championing victims’ rights, public safety and law enforcement, Darrell has consistently shown what it means to serve with integrity and purpose. I’ve been proud to work alongside him on issues that matter to Oklahomans, and I have no doubt he will bring that same commitment to excellence to the sheriff’s office. I congratulate Darrell on this well-deserved appointment and look forward to continuing our work together to keep Oklahoma communities safe.”