Attorney general edges Trump-endorsed former state senator by just 1,158 votes as more than 402,000 Republicans cast ballots statewide.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Attorney General Gentner Drummond finished first Tuesday in Oklahoma’s crowded Republican gubernatorial primary, outpacing Trump-endorsed former state Sen. Mike Mazzei by just 1,158 votes and setting up an Aug. 25 runoff between the two leading candidates.
With all 1,984 precincts reporting, Drummond received 105,787 votes, or 26.3%, compared with 104,629 votes, or 26.0%, for Mazzei. The margin between the two candidates was just 1,158 votes, or three-tenths of a percentage point.
The result came after many Republicans believed the race had shifted toward Mazzei following President Donald Trump’s endorsement in the campaign’s final weeks. Instead, Drummond maintained enough support statewide to claim the top spot and enter the runoff with momentum.
Crowded field produces unexpected finishes
Former Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Chip Keating finished third with 74,356 votes, or 18.5%, followed by former state Sen. Jake Merrick with 58,314 votes, or 14.5%, and former House Speaker Charles McCall with 47,501 votes, or 11.8%.
The crowded field produced another notable result as Merrick finished ahead of McCall despite being substantially outspent and lacking the former House speaker’s statewide profile. The showing suggested Merrick’s grassroots conservative message resonated with a significant segment of Republican voters.
Republican turnout exceeds recent primary levels
Tuesday’s election drew strong Republican participation. More than 402,000 GOP ballots were cast statewide, exceeding Republican turnout in the party’s 2022 primary and reflecting broad engagement in an unusually competitive contest.
Runoff battle begins
The runoff now presents Oklahoma Republicans with a choice between two well-known figures in state politics.
Drummond has campaigned as an experienced statewide officeholder focused on public safety and government accountability. Mazzei, a former state senator and financial executive, has emphasized economic growth, limited government and support from Trump and other conservative leaders.
For Drummond, Tuesday’s result gives him momentum heading into the runoff. For Mazzei, the narrow margin demonstrates that he remains highly competitive and that Trump’s endorsement could still prove influential as the race becomes a head-to-head contest.
The next phase of the campaign begins immediately, with both candidates expected to spend the coming weeks courting supporters of Keating, Merrick and McCall and making their case to Republican voters ahead of the Aug. 25 runoff.
