06/25/2026
President Donald Trump quickly inserted himself into Oklahoma’s Republican gubernatorial runoff, attacking Attorney General Gentner Drummond as a “FAKE Republican” and renewing his support for former state Sen. Mike Mazzei. Trump first endorsed Mazzei on May 29, calling him a “MAGA Warrior” and giving him his “COMPLETE and TOTAL Endorsement” for governor.
In a lengthy Truth Social post, Trump accused Drummond of opposing a proposed aluminum smelter project in Inola, suing to block a religious charter school, and failing to back him during impeachment proceedings in January 2021 during the last days of his first term as president.
Oklahoma voters advanced both Drummond and Mazzei to the August runoff despite Trump’s endorsement of Mazzei before the June 16 primary. Drummond finished first with 26.26% of the vote, narrowly ahead of Mazzei’s 25.97%, according to unofficial Oklahoma State Election Board results but both fell short of the 50 percent needed to have advanced to the November election.
Speaking to supporters at his primary election watch party after advancing to the runoff, Drummond said voters were more interested in leadership than political endorsements.
“Two weeks ago, when the Trump endorsement dropped, it was disheartening, but Oklahomans understand the difference between a political pay-for-play versus a leader,” Drummond said.
Drummond said he plans to focus on attracting supporters of former candidates Chip Keating, Jake Merrick, and Charles McCall during the runoff campaign, but said that does not mean changing his positions. Read the full story in tomorrow's Weekend Edition of the Grove Sun.
