Drummond and Mazzei clash over Trump’s backing and a controversial northeast Oklahoma aluminum project as candidates make their final televised pitch before Tuesday’s primary
TULSA — The final Republican gubernatorial debate before Tuesday’s primary election quickly turned into a pointed fight over President Donald Trump’s endorsement, a controversial aluminum smelter project in northeast Oklahoma and which candidate is best positioned to lead the party into the post-Stitt era.
Hosted by Griffin Media’s News 9 and News on 6, the debate featured Attorney General Gentner Drummond, former state Sen. Mike Mazzei, former House Speaker Charles McCall and businessman Chip Keating in their last televised showdown before Republican voters head to the polls.
What began as a discussion of Trump’s endorsement of Mazzei escalated into accusations of flip-flopping, competing claims about conservative credentials and a heated exchange between Mazzei and Drummond that led moderators to repeatedly attempt to restore order.
“This race is about leadership, not about somebody who will flip and flop for your vote,” Drummond said during his closing statement.
The clash underscored one of the central questions hanging over the race’s final days.
Drummond argued his record as attorney general demonstrates proven leadership and conservative results. Mazzei repeatedly pointed to Trump’s endorsement as evidence that his vision most closely aligns with the president’s agenda. McCall emphasized his legislative accomplishments, while Keating presented himself as the outsider in a field dominated by longtime political figures.
Trump endorsement sets the tone
The debate opened with moderators asking each candidate why Trump should have endorsed them.
Drummond dismissed the significance of endorsements and pointed instead to his record challenging the Biden administration and partnering with federal immigration authorities.
“I don’t put much merit in an endorsement,” Drummond said. “I put more merit in what we’ve done, our product, the performance as your attorney general.”
Keating argued Oklahoma voters should make the decision rather than national political figures.
“The main endorsement that matters are the voters of Oklahoma,” Keating said.
McCall argued he had been the most consistent supporter of Trump’s policies, citing legislation passed during his tenure as speaker, including tax cuts, immigration restrictions and conservative social policy measures.
Mazzei embraced the endorsement and framed it as validation of his campaign’s priorities.
“It is a great honor to have the endorsement of President Donald Trump to be Oklahoma’s next governor,” Mazzei said.
The endorsement issue resurfaced repeatedly throughout the debate and eventually became intertwined with the night’s sharpest exchange.
Inola smelter sparks sharpest exchange
When moderators turned to the proposed aluminum smelter near Inola, candidates quickly found themselves debating not only the project itself, but whether Trump’s endorsement had influenced Mazzei’s position on it.
Drummond defended his lawsuit challenging the project, arguing Oklahoma taxpayers should not subsidize a foreign-owned company while questions remain about environmental impacts, water usage and waste disposal.
“I sued to block this smelter,” Drummond said.
Keating expressed skepticism about large subsidy packages for outside corporations but questioned why Drummond waited until recently to challenge the project.
McCall said local residents should ultimately determine whether the project proceeds and argued state government should not force unwanted developments on communities.
Mazzei defended the smelter as a national security issue, arguing domestic aluminum production is critical because China controls a large share of the global aluminum market.
Drummond accused Mazzei of changing his position to gain Trump’s endorsement.
Drummond argued Mazzei had altered his position to win Trump’s support, saying, “He sold out Oklahoma for an endorsement.”
Mazzei rejected the accusation and defended the project as consistent with Trump’s economic and national security priorities.
“I personally talked to President Trump about the Inola plan,” Mazzei said. “This is a priority agenda item for President Trump on both national security grounds and economic growth grounds.”
The exchange escalated further when Drummond alleged longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone had influenced Mazzei’s position, an allegation Mazzei denied during the debate.
At one point Drummond interrupted his opponent to say, “You know that’s a lie.”
The confrontation illustrated how deeply Trump’s endorsement has reshaped the final weeks of the race and highlighted the increasingly personal nature of the campaign’s closing stretch.
Taxes and education reveal competing visions
Taxes remained one of the central policy themes of the night.
All four candidates endorsed reducing taxes, but they differed sharply on how quickly Oklahoma could eliminate the state income tax and whether such promises were realistic.
McCall argued Oklahoma should continue cutting taxes until the income tax is eliminated altogether, saying previous reductions had generated economic growth and increased revenues.
Mazzei promoted a three-step plan to eventually make Oklahoma a no-income-tax state while phasing out property taxes for seniors and veterans.
Keating supported tax reductions but repeatedly returned to government spending and Oklahoma’s performance rankings.
“I’m the only candidate sitting on the stage that has not grown government,” Keating said.
Drummond criticized what he characterized as unrealistic promises and argued Oklahoma must first improve education, healthcare and economic growth.
Education produced another notable divide.
Mazzei promoted a statewide literacy initiative modeled after reforms in Mississippi and pledged to focus aggressively on reading proficiency.
Drummond emphasized early childhood development, quality childcare and workforce training programs.
Keating repeatedly criticized both McCall and Mazzei for supporting repeal of Oklahoma’s original third-grade reading retention law.
“We can’t afford to get this wrong again,” Keating said.
McCall defended his record and argued lawmakers had made substantial investments in schools, teacher pay and education reforms during his tenure as speaker.
“We need to quit blaming the legislative branch,” McCall said. “It’s the executive branch’s problem.”
Candidates find common ground on tribes and data centers
While the candidates sparred on taxes and education, they found broad agreement on several emerging issues facing the state.
All four candidates said data centers should pay for their own power infrastructure, avoid placing additional burdens on water supplies and receive local approval before construction.
Likewise, all four candidates expressed support for closer cooperation between tribal governments and the governor’s office after years of conflict during Gov. Kevin Stitt’s administration.
Keating pledged to “hit the reset button” on tribal relations. McCall emphasized collaboration on infrastructure, healthcare and economic development. Mazzei described Oklahoma’s tribes as a “crown jewel” of the state.
Drummond offered the most specific proposal of the evening on tribal relations, pledging to dismiss the state’s pending litigation against tribes and renew tribal compacts if elected.
“A true partnership will renew the compacts day one,” Drummond said.
Candidates also discussed artificial intelligence in political advertising, foreign ownership of land, public safety, immigration, healthcare and energy policy during the debate.
Final arguments before primary day
In their closing statements, the candidates largely returned to familiar campaign themes.
Mazzei focused on taxes, literacy and foreign land ownership.
Keating highlighted public safety, education and government growth.
McCall argued his legislative record proves he can deliver conservative results and pointed to his years as speaker as evidence of his ability to govern.
Drummond pointed to his military service, efforts against illegal marijuana operations and consumer protection cases pursued during his tenure as attorney general.
With no further debates scheduled before Tuesday’s primary, the four candidates now enter the campaign’s final stretch seeking to persuade Republican voters that they are best positioned to become Oklahoma’s next governor.
