Oklahoma’s Gubernatorial Race: A Flood of Candidates, Few Endorsements
As Oklahoma’s gubernatorial primary looms with at least five declared candidates, endorsements from the state’s congressional delegation remain notably absent. With Governor Kevin Stitt termed out, the field is wide open, but support from lawmakers has been sparse.
Currently, only Rep. Josh Brecheen has endorsed former state Senator Mike Mazzei, citing their strong personal connection and Mazzei’s fiscal credibility. "Mike’s plan to get us to a no-income-tax state… has more legitimacy than any other candidate," Brecheen said.
Other members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation have refrained from taking sides. Rep. Tom Cole expressed that while there are many capable candidates, he is focused on his own race. Similarly, Rep. Kevin Hern is observing the primary without endorsing, noting that candidates like Mazzei and Charles McCall might have an edge due to their ability to self-fund amidst stringent election laws.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond, the first major contender to enter the race, leads in recent polling with a 27-point advantage over his nearest competitor, Ryan Walters, who has shown interest but has not officially entered the fray. Despite Drummond’s prominent position, some lawmakers remain hesitant to endorse, stating they either don’t know the candidates well enough or prefer not to engage in primaries.
Sen. James Lankford acknowledged familiarity with the candidates but clarified he has no current intentions to endorse anyone. Overall, while the race heats up, the silence from Oklahoma’s congressional representatives adds a layer of uncertainty as the contenders vie for a chance at the governor’s mansion.
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