2026 Oklahoma gubernatorial election
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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
[edit]Oklahoma is a solidly red state. Democrats last won a gubernatorial race in 2006,[1] with incumbent Governor Kevin Stitt winning re-election by a 13.6% margin in 2022.[2]
Primary elections will be held on June 16, 2026.[3]
Republican primary
[edit]Campaign
[edit]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.[4] The same month, The Black Wall Street Times reported State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters was preparing for a 2026 gubernatorial campaign.[5] 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.[6][7] In early January 2025, former state senator Mike Mazzei posted a gubernatorial campaign logo to Facebook, but he has yet to officially launched a campaign.[8]
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.[9]
Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Gentner Drummond, Oklahoma Attorney General (2023–present)[9]
- Leisa Mitchell Haynes, former city manager of Rio Communities, New Mexico[9]
Announcement pending
[edit]- Mike Mazzei, former Oklahoma Secretary of Budget (2019–2020) and former state senator (2004–2016)[10]
Potential
[edit]- Chip Keating, former Oklahoma Secretary of Public Safety (2019–2020) and son of former governor Frank Keating[10]
- Charles McCall, Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives (2017–2025)[11]
- Matt Pinnell, Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma (2019–present)[11]
- Kayse Shrum, former president of Oklahoma State University (2021–2025) and former Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Innovation (2019–2020)[12]
- Greg Treat, former President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate (2019–2025)[11]
- Ryan Walters, Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction (2023–present)[11]
Declined
[edit]- G. T. Bynum, former Mayor of Tulsa (2016–2024)[13]
- Kevin Hern, U.S. Representative from Oklahoma's 1st congressional district (2018–present)[7]
- James Lankford, U.S. Senator (2015–present)[14]
Endorsements
[edit]General election
[edit]Predictions
[edit]| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[16] | Solid R | January 23, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[17] | Solid R | February 6, 2025 |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Randy, Krehbiel (October 7, 2021). "Brad Henry, Oklahoma's last Democratic governor, feels a kinship with Hofmeister". Tulsa World. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
- ^ Leip, David. "2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Oklahoma". www.uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
- ^ Swaim, Kyler (January 13, 2025). "Oklahoma Attorney General announces 2026 gubernatorial bid". KNWA. Retrieved January 15, 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 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 c d 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.
- ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Official campaign websites