Additional comments from a March gubernatorial debate show Mike Mazzei citing the proposed Inola aluminum smelter as an example of “forking over billions of dollars to foreign companies” before later publicly backing the project and invoking President Donald Trump hours before receiving Trump’s endorsement.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei directly criticized Oklahoma’s incentive package for the proposed aluminum smelter in Inola during a March debate, according to a review of the full debate recording by OKPoliticsToday.
The comments stand in contrast to Mazzei’s public support for the project less than two months later and his decision to link that support to President Donald Trump just hours before receiving Trump’s endorsement in the governor’s race.
During a March 30 gubernatorial debate hosted by Cedar Gate and the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus at the Oklahoma History Center, Mazzei was discussing economic development policy and state incentives when he criticized government subsidies and foreign-company incentive packages.
“To grow high paying jobs in Oklahoma, first we have to get rid of the nonsense, wasteful green energy tax subsidies and forking over billions of dollars to foreign companies,” Mazzei said.
“In 2015, I’m the guy who killed the $1.5 billion giveaway to the wind power companies. And right now, we’re seeing a tax incentive package of a billion dollars for a Mid-East aluminum plant that’s only had to promise us a thousand jobs. In a Mazzei administration, we’re going to collaborate with Oklahoma-based businesses to get 5,000 companies growing five jobs each with no-interest loans and best practices because all of those profits stay here in Oklahoma.”
Watch the debate segment here on YouTube.
While Mazzei did not mention the project by name, the description appears to match the proposed Emirates Global Aluminium smelter planned for Inola. The project has been promoted by state officials as a major economic development initiative expected to create approximately 1,000 direct jobs.
Mazzei’s reference to a “billion dollar” incentive package reflects his characterization of the project during the debate.
The comments highlighted in this story are more specific than remarks examined in an earlier OKPoliticsToday report, which focused on Mazzei’s criticism of incentives for foreign companies and the apparent tension with his later support for the smelter project.
Read the earlier OKPoliticsToday story.
In the March debate remarks, Mazzei not only referenced a Middle Eastern aluminum plant but also cited the project’s approximate incentive value and job projections, making the connection to the Inola proposal more explicit.
Less than two months later, however, Mazzei publicly embraced the project.
In a May 29 Facebook post, Mazzei wrote that “Projects like the aluminum smelter in Oklahoma are exactly the kind of project our state needs more of.”
“When I’m Governor, I will strongly support this project, and I will work with the Trump administration to bring more projects like it to Oklahoma,” Mazzei wrote.
Mazzei concluded the post by writing, “President Donald J. Trump is bringing jobs and investment to the USA and I HAVE HIS BACK!”
Read Mazzei’s May 29 Facebook post.
Mazzei’s Facebook post supporting the smelter project was published at 1:28 p.m. on May 29. President Trump’s endorsement of Mazzei’s gubernatorial campaign appeared on Truth Social at 4:56 p.m. the same day, 3 hours and 28 minutes later.
Read Trump’s endorsement on Truth Social.
The issue has become increasingly prominent in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond filed legal action this week seeking to halt aspects of the project, arguing the incentive package violates Oklahoma law.
OKPoliticsToday asked Mazzei’s campaign to explain the apparent difference between his March debate comments and his subsequent support for the project. The campaign was also asked whether the timing of the May 29 Facebook post and the subsequent Trump endorsement was coincidental.
A spokesman for the campaign said he would seek a response from Mazzei. This story will be updated if one is received.
