Lawton-area Republicans say attorney general offers clearer choice as Aug. 25 runoff approaches
LAWTON — Two southwest Oklahoma lawmakers have publicly endorsed Attorney General Gentner Drummond in Oklahoma’s Republican gubernatorial runoff, giving the candidate additional support from sitting members of the Legislature as the campaign enters its next phase.
State Reps. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, and Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon, announced their support for Drummond during a legislative luncheon Tuesday hosted by the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce at Apache Casino Hotel, according to reporting by the Lawton Constitution.
Caldwell urged fellow Republicans to rally behind Drummond ahead of the Aug. 25 runoff election.
“We have to vote for Gentner Drummond,” Caldwell said, according to the Lawton Constitution. “We have to get him across the finish line.”
Pae said a recent gubernatorial candidates forum reinforced his preference for Drummond, arguing the attorney general provided more direct answers than his opponent, former state Sen. Mike Mazzei.
The endorsements represent an early show of support from sitting Republican lawmakers following the June 16 primary election, in which Drummond and Mazzei emerged as the top two finishers in a crowded five-candidate field.
Drummond received 26.3% of the vote in the Republican primary, narrowly edging Mazzei, who finished with 26.0%. The slim margin set up what is expected to be one of Oklahoma’s most closely watched statewide runoff elections.
The endorsements also highlight a growing divide in the race’s coalition-building efforts. Mazzei has emphasized his endorsement from President Donald Trump, while Drummond has continued to accumulate endorsements from Republican elected officials and local leaders across the state.
Both Pae and Caldwell are influential members of the Oklahoma House Republican caucus. Caldwell serves as chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee, while Pae is a veteran Lawton lawmaker who has focused on military, workforce and economic development issues during his tenure at the Capitol.
The winner of the Republican runoff will advance to the Nov. 3 general election against Democratic nominee Cyndi Munson. Munson won the Democratic primary with 74.9% of the vote.
Source: Lawton Constitution
