Donald Trump on Tuesday expressed opposition to Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond during the final week of the Republican gubernatorial runoff. Trump characterized Drummond as a "fake Republican" on social media, while reiterating his support for former state senator and budget secretary Mike Mazzei. The two candidates are scheduled to compete in a runoff election on August 25 after neither secured a majority in the June primary.
The primary race concluded with Drummond and Mazzei each receiving approximately 25% of the vote, separated by less than one percentage point. Trump had endorsed Mazzei shortly before the June vote, an action Drummond suggested was the reason Mazzei advanced to the runoff. The winner of next week's vote will proceed to the general election in a state where Trump has won every county in previous presidential runs and where Republicans hold all major leadership positions.
Trump criticized Drummond’s legal efforts to block a proposed aluminum smelter in Oklahoma, a project backed by the administration that would be the largest of its kind in the United States. Drummond filed a lawsuit to stop the project, citing concerns about local residents and the influence of the Dubai-based Emirates Global Aluminum. Additionally, Trump highlighted reports that Drummond’s wife had donated to former President Biden and the Lincoln Project, and noted that Drummond had expressed "no opinion" on Trump’s previous impeachments.
The race also serves as a measurement of Trump's influence over Republican voters during the current midterm cycle. According to Decision Desk HQ, four of 12 Trump-endorsed candidates in open gubernatorial races have lost so far this cycle. A Mazzei victory would reinforce the impact of Trump’s late-stage endorsements, while a Drummond victory would show a sitting Attorney General can win despite opposition from the former president. Voters will notice the result in the immediate selection of their executive leadership and the long-term economic development strategies pursued by the state capitol.
The contest has been marked by personal friction between the two candidates, including public disputes over campaign consulting fees and drug testing. Mazzei faced questions regarding $70,000 paid to consultant Roger Stone, which some critics suggested was linked to the Trump endorsement, a claim Mazzei denied. Both candidates also released results of negative drug tests this week, though they disagreed on the validity of the specific testing methods used. Following the August 25 runoff, the focus will shift to the general election in November, where the Republican nominee will be the favorite to win the governorship.
The race also serves as a measurement of Trump's influence over Republican voters during the current midterm cycle. According to Decision Desk HQ, four of 12 Trump-endorsed candidates in open gubernatorial races have lost so far this cycle. A Mazzei victory would reinforce the impact of Trump’s late-stage endorsements, while a Drummond victory would show a sitting Attorney General can win despite opposition from the former president. Voters will notice the result in the immediate selection of their executive leadership and the long-term economic development strategies pursued by the state capitol.
The contest has been marked by personal friction between the two candidates, including public disputes over campaign consulting fees and drug testing. Mazzei faced questions regarding $70,000 paid to consultant Roger Stone, which some critics suggested was linked to the Trump endorsement, a claim Mazzei denied. Both candidates also released results of negative drug tests this week, though they disagreed on the validity of the specific testing methods used. Following the August 25 runoff, the focus will shift to the general election in November, where the Republican nominee will be the favorite to win the governorship.