2026 Oklahoma gubernatorial election
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| Elections in Oklahoma |
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The 2026 Oklahoma gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Oklahoma. Incumbent Republican Governor Kevin Stitt is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term in office.
Primary elections will be held on June 16, 2026.
Background
Oklahoma is a deeply red state.[a] Incumbent Governor Kevin Stitt won re-election by a 13.6% margin in 2022.[1] Democrats have not won an Oklahoma gubernatorial election (or any statewide race in the state) since 2006.
Primary elections will be held on June 16, 2026.[2]
Republican primary
Campaign
In August 2023, KOSU noted that Attorney General Gentner Drummond had raised significantly more than other statewide elected officials in 2023, fueling rumors of a gubernatorial run.[3] The same month, The Black Wall Street Times reported State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters was preparing for a 2026 gubernatorial campaign.[4] U.S. Representative Kevin Hern was the first major contender to public acknowledge he was considering a campaign in August 2024, but ruled out a run that December after House Republicans won a narrow majority in the 2024 elections.[5][6] In early January 2025, former state senator Mike Mazzei posted a gubernatorial campaign logo to Facebook.[7]
On January 13, 2025, Drummond announced his campaign for governor. He was the first major candidate to enter the race and the second overall after Leisa Mitchell Haynes.[8] On February 18, McCall officially announced his campaign.[2] Mazzei officially launched his campaign on April 3.[9]
Candidates
Declared
- Gentner Drummond, Oklahoma Attorney General (2023–present)[8]
- Leisa Mitchell Haynes, former city manager of Rio Communities, New Mexico[8]
- Mike Mazzei, former Oklahoma Secretary of Budget (2019–2020) and former state senator (2004–2016)[10]
- Charles McCall, former Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives (2017–2025)[2]
- Jake Merrick, former state senator from the 22nd district (2021–2022)[11]
Publicly expressed interest
- Ryan Walters, Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction (2023–present) (decision expected this summer)[12]
Potential
- Chip Keating, former Oklahoma Secretary of Public Safety (2019–2020) and son of former governor Frank Keating[13]
- Matt Pinnell, Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma (2019–present)[14]
- Kayse Shrum, former president of Oklahoma State University (2021–2025) and former Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Innovation (2019–2020)[15]
- Greg Treat, former President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate (2019–2025)[14]
Declined
- G. T. Bynum, former Mayor of Tulsa (2016–2024)[16]
- Kevin Hern, U.S. Representative from Oklahoma's 1st congressional district (2018–present)[6]
- James Lankford, U.S. Senator (2015–present)[17]
Endorsements
Gentner Drummond
- Unions
- Oklahoma Fraternal Order of Police[8]
- Organizations
- Association of Oklahoma General Contractors[18]
- Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association[18]
- Oklahoma City Firefighters Association[19]
- TulsaFirePAC[19]
Mike Mazzei
- U.S. representatives
- Josh Brecheen, U.S. representative for Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district (2023–present)[20]
- State legislators
- Gary Stanislawski, former state senator for the 35th district (2008–2021)[9]
- State cabinet members
- Sean Kouplen, former Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce (2019–2021)[9]
Jake Merrick
- State legislators
- Shane Jett, state senator from the 17th district (2021–present) and chair of the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus (2024–present)[11]
- Jim Shaw, state representative from the 32nd district (2024–present)[11]
Declined to endorse
- U.S. senators
- James Lankford, senator from Oklahoma[21]
- U.S. representatives
- Tom Cole, representative for Oklahoma's 4th congressional district[21]
- Kevin Hern, representative for Oklahoma's 1st congressional district[21]
- Frank Lucas, representative for Oklahoma's 3rd congressional district[21]
Polling
Hypothetical polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Gentner Drummond |
Chip Keating |
Mike Mazzei |
Jake Merrick |
Charles McCall |
Matt Pinnell |
Ryan Walters |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates (R)[22] | May 5–9, 2025 | 500 (RV) | ± 4.3% | 39% | 3% | 1% | 1% | 5% | 10% | 12% | 31% |
| Victory Insights (R)[23][A] | February 23–25, 2025 | 506 (LV) | – | 37% | 3% | 1% | - | 6% | – | – | 52% |
| Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates (R)[24] | February 10–15, 2025 | 500 (RV) | ± 4.3% | 50% | 7% | – | – | 7% | – | – | 37% |
| 44% | 6% | – | – | 5% | – | 14% | 32% |
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Cyndi Munson, minority leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives (2022–present) from the 85th district (2015–present)[25]
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[26] | Solid R | January 23, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[27] | Solid R | February 6, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[28] | Safe R | May 1, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[29] | Safe R | June 30, 2025 |
See also
Notes
- ^ See the general election predictions section.
Partisan clients
- ^ Poll sponsored by the Calvin Coolidge Project (R)
References
- ^ Leip, David. "2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Oklahoma". www.uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ a b c Carter, M. Scott (February 18, 2025). "Former Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall announces bid for governor". The Oklahoman. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
- ^ Nissley, Isabel (August 8, 2023). "Oklahoma Attorney General raises $225K, topping state officials' campaign contributions". KOSU. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
- ^ "Sources: Ryan Walters mulls bid for governor amid attacks on TPS". The Black Wall Street Times. August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
- ^ Krehbiel, Randy (August 29, 2024). "Could Congressman Kevin Hern be Oklahoma's next governor?". Tulsa World. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ a b Solender, Andrew (December 9, 2024). "House GOP's tiny majority helps kill a bid for governor". Axios. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
- ^ Gorman, Reese; Luetkemeyer, Em (January 12, 2025). "Oklahoma Attorney General Prepares to Jump in Governor's Race". NOTUS. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Evans, Murray (January 13, 2025). "AG Gentner Drummond announces bid for Oklahoma governor in 2026 election". The Oklahoman. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ a b c Loveless, Tristan (April 4, 2025). "Mike Mazzei kicks off gubernatorial campaign with U.S. Rep. Brecheen's endorsement". NonDoc. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ Media, Griffin (March 31, 2025). "Oklahoma Governor race: Former State Sen. Mike Mazzei announces candidacy". KOTV-DT. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
- ^ a b c Ramos, Lionel (May 1, 2025). "Former lawmaker Jake Merrick joins race for Oklahoma Governor". KOSU. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ Greco, Jonathan (May 9, 2025). "Ryan Walters says he's considering running for Oklahoma governor". KOCO. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
- ^ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (January 14, 2025). "Morning Digest, sponsored by 314 Action: Oklahoma Republican who fought state funding for religious school launches bid for governor". The Downballot. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
- ^ a b Hardwick, Henry Nam (February 12, 2025). "Same Boss". Oklahoma Gazette. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
- ^ Sellers, Caroline; Batzlaff, Sydney. "OSU A&M Board of Regents accepts President Kayse Shrum's resignation". KFOR-TV. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
She didn't say what's next, but students have heard some rumors. 'Possibly maybe running for governor or having the governor come be president here,' said Evan Yates, OSU student.
- ^ Canfield, Kevin (January 28, 2025). "Former Tulsa mayor talks about regrets, bloody primaries and more at Press Club luncheon". Tulsa World. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
He is not running for governor. 'I like being married. I choose Susan Bynum over losing in a gubernatorial primary in Oklahoma'
- ^ "'Not Running': US Sen. Lankford Dismisses Rumors Of Running For Oklahoma Governor". KWTV-DT. June 25, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ a b McCarville, Mike (January 23, 2025). "Another Day, Another Endorsement for Drummond's Gubernatorial Bid". McCarville Report. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
- ^ a b Krehbiel, Randy (June 29, 2025). "Political notebook: Stitt objects to federal plan to bar AI regulation by states". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
- ^ Krehbiel, Randy (April 6, 2025). "Political notebook: Republican lawmakers sign oil and gas industry letter". Tulsa World. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Luetkemeyer, Em (June 12, 2025). "Federal Lawmakers are Steering Clear of State Politics When It Comes to the Gubernatorial Race". Oklahoma Watch. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ McFerron, Pat. "Drummond Maintains Lead over Walters". Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
- ^ "OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR POLL: Gentner Drummond Dominates the Republican Primary Field" (PDF). Victory Insights. February 27, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ McFerron, Pat (February 18, 2025). "First Look at the 2026 Governor's Contest". Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
- ^ Media, Griffin (April 15, 2025). "Oklahoma House Rep. Cyndi Munson announces run for governor". KOTV-DT. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
- ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
External links
- Official campaign websites