The 2026 Oklahoma gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the next governor of Oklahoma. Incumbent Republican governor Kevin Stitt is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term in office. Primary elections were held on June 16, 2026, and in races where no candidate receives over 50% of the vote, runoff elections will take place on August 25, 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 any statewide race since 2006. Primary elections were 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, former Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall officially announced his campaign.[2] Mazzei officially launched his campaign on April 3.[9] In May, former state senator Jake Merrick entered the race followed by businessman Kenneth Sturgell.[10][11] On October 1, former Governor Frank Keating's son, Chip Keating, entered the race.[12]

Candidates

Advanced to runoff

Eliminated in primary

Declined

Endorsements

Gentner Drummond
Labor unions
Organizations
Chip Keating
Individuals
Organizations
Mike Mazzei
Executive branch officials
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
Individuals
Jake Merrick
State legislators
Declined to endorse
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[b]		 Margin
of error		 Gentner
Drummond		 Chip
Keating		 Mike
Mazzei		 Jake
Merrick		 Charles
McCall		 Other Undecided
JMC Analytics (R)[30] June 2–3, 2026 550 (LV) ± 4.2% 21% 12% 26% 12% 8% 4%[c] 17%
May 29, 2026 Trump endorses Mazzei
Pulse Decision Science (R)[31][A] May 26–28, 2026 608 (LV) ± 4.0% 24% 17% 22% – 12% 12%[d] 13%
NonDoc Media[32] May 21–25, 2026 457 (RV) – 22% 21% 22% 7% 18% 10%[e] –
Pulse Decision Science (R)[31][A] April 7–9, 2026 – (LV) – 33% 21% 15% – 12% 8%[f] 11%
Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates (R)[33] January 26–30, 2026 600 (LV) ± 4.3% 36% 13% 13% 5% 14% – 19%
yes. every kid.[34] October 29–31, 2025 513 (LV) ± 4.3% 22% 7% 2% 2% 22% 1%[g] 44%
co/efficient (R)[35] October 25–27, 2025 855 (LV) ± 3.2% 20% 5% 1% 3% 31% 3%[h] 38%
Stratus Intelligence (R)[36][B] October 15–17, 2025 806 (LV) ± 3.5% 30% 7% 1% 4% 32% – 19%
Stratus Intelligence (R)[37][B] September 23–25, 2025 – ± 3.5% 35% – – – 33% – 32%
Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates (R)[38] August 4–10, 2025 400 (LV) ± 4.3% 48% 4% 2% 4% 10% – 33%
Victory Insights (R)[39][C] February 23–25, 2025 506 (LV) – 37% 3% 1% – 6% – 52%
Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates (R)[40] February 10–15, 2025 500 (RV) ± 4.3% 50% 7% – – 7% – 37%
Hypothetical polling

with Ryan Walters

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[b]		 Margin
of error		 Gentner
Drummond		 Chip
Keating		 Mike
Mazzei		 Jake
Merrick		 Charles
McCall		 Matt
Pinnell		 Ryan
Walters		 Undecided
Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates (R)[38] August 4–10, 2025 500 (RV) ± 4.3% 43% 4% 2% 3% 8% – 8% 33%
Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates (R)[41] May 5–9, 2025 500 (RV) ± 4.3% 39% 3% 1% 1% 5% 10% 12% 31%
Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates (R)[40] February 10–15, 2025 500 (RV) ± 4.3% 44% 6% – – 5% – 14% 32%

Primary results

Unofficial primary results by county:
  Drummond
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
  Mazzei
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
  Keating
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
  Merrick
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  McCall
  •   20–30%
  •   30–40%
  •   40–50%
  •   60–70%
Republican primary results[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gentner Drummond 105,832 26.3
Republican Mike Mazzei 104,691 26.0
Republican Chip Keating 74,379 18.5
Republican Jake A. Merrick 58,341 14.5
Republican Charles McCall 47,519 11.8
Republican Leisa Mitchell Haynes 4,121 1.0
Republican Jennifer Domenico 3,796 0.9
Republican Kenneth Sturgell 2,935 0.7
Republican Calup Anthony Taylor 1,485 0.4
Total votes 403,099 100.0

Runoff

Endorsements

Gentner Drummond
State legislators

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[b]		 Margin
of error		 Gentner
Drummond		 Mike
Mazzei		 Undecided
Pulse Decision Science (R)[44][A] June 21–23, 2026 606 (LV) ± 4.0% 38% 44% 18%
Cygnal (R)[45] June 18–19, 2026 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 44% 42% 14%
Republican primary runoff results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gentner Drummond
Republican Mike Mazzei
Total votes 100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

Results

Unofficial primary results by county:
  Munson
  •   50–60%
  •   60–70%
  •   70–80%
  •   80–90%
Democratic primary results[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Cyndi Munson 129,225 74.9
Democratic Constance Johnson 38,414 22.3
Democratic Arya Azma 4,824 2.8
Total votes 172,463 100.0

Independents

Candidates

Declared

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
Inside Elections[48] Solid R August 28, 2025
Race to the WH[49] Likely R June 19, 2026
RealClearPolitics[50] Solid R June 5, 2026
Sabato's Crystal Ball[51] Safe R September 4, 2025
The Cook Political Report[52] Solid R September 11, 2025

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ See the general election predictions section.
  2. 1 2 3 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  3. ↑ Jennifer Domenico with 2%; Leisa Haynes and Kenneth Sturgell with 1%; Calup Taylor with 0%
  4. ↑ "5 others combined" with 12%
  5. ↑ Kenneth Sturgell with 3%; Jennifer Domenico with 3%; Leisa Haynes with 2%; Calup Taylor with 1%
  6. ↑ "5 others combined" with 8%
  7. ↑ "Someone else" with 1%
  8. ↑ "Someone else" with 3%

Partisan clients

  1. 1 2 3 Poll sponsored by Club for Growth, which opposes Drummond
  2. 1 2 Poll sponsored by McCall's campaign
  3. ↑ Poll sponsored by the Calvin Coolidge Project

References

  1. ↑ Leip, David. "2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Oklahoma". www.uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on December 6, 2023. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 Carter, M. Scott (February 18, 2025). "Former Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall announces bid for governor". The Oklahoman. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  3. ↑ Nissley, Isabel (August 8, 2023). "Oklahoma Attorney General raises $225K, topping state officials' campaign contributions". KOSU. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Sources: Ryan Walters mulls bid for governor amid attacks on TPS". The Black Wall Street Times. August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  5. ↑ Krehbiel, Randy (August 29, 2024). "Could Congressman Kevin Hern be Oklahoma's next governor?". Tulsa World. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  6. 1 2 Solender, Andrew (December 9, 2024). "House GOP's tiny majority helps kill a bid for governor". Axios. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  7. ↑ Gorman, Reese; Luetkemeyer, Em (January 12, 2025). "Oklahoma Attorney General Prepares to Jump in Governor's Race". NOTUS. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Evans, Murray (January 13, 2025). "AG Gentner Drummond announces bid for Oklahoma governor in 2026 election". The Oklahoman. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 Loveless, Tristan (April 4, 2025). "Mike Mazzei kicks off gubernatorial campaign with U.S. Rep. Brecheen's endorsement". NonDoc. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Ramos, Lionel (May 1, 2025). "Former lawmaker Jake Merrick joins race for Oklahoma Governor". KOSU. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  11. 1 2 Anderson, Kayden (July 10, 2025). "Meet two new Republican candidates in the race for Oklahoma governor". The Oklahoman. Retrieved July 22, 2025. Former state Sen. Jake Merrick and small business owner Kenneth Sturgell are the most recent candidates to join the race to replace current Gov. Kevin Stitt{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  12. 1 2 Hoberock, Barbara (October 1, 2025). "Chip Keating announces run for Oklahoma governor". Oklahoma Voice. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
  13. ↑ Media, Griffin (March 31, 2025). "Oklahoma Governor race: Former State Sen. Mike Mazzei announces candidacy". KOTV-DT. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 "Candidate filing". filings.okelections.gov. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
  15. ↑ 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'
  16. ↑ "'Not Running': US Sen. Lankford Dismisses Rumors Of Running For Oklahoma Governor". KWTV-DT. June 25, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  17. ↑ Dowers, Graham (March 9, 2026). "Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell announces he will not run for governor". KOTV-DT. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  18. ↑ Krehbiel, Randy (June 29, 2025). "Political notebook: Stitt objects to federal plan to bar AI regulation by states". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  19. ↑ White, Stevie (January 23, 2025). "Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association Endorses Attorney General Gentner Drummond for Governor of Oklahoma - Oklahoma Farm Report". Oklahoma Farm Report. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  20. ↑ Davenport, Carli (January 21, 2026). "Oklahoma Cattlemens Association Rescinds Endorsement For Drummond Following Policy Meeting - Oklahoma Farm Report". Oklahoma Farm Report. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  21. ↑ Krehbiel, Randy (February 22, 2026). "Political notebook: Stitt navigates difficult week in Washington". Tulsa World. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  22. 1 2 3 Pozadas, Victor A. (June 11, 2026). "Chip Keating endorsements including from Harold Hamm, Barry Switzer announced at campaign event". KOTV-DT. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  23. ↑ Bohnen, Jerry (March 2, 2026). "Oil and gas workers Endorse Chip Keating for Governor - 2026". OKEnergyToday. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  24. ↑ Hill, April (May 29, 2025). "President Donald Trump endorses and Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate". KRMG-FM. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
  25. ↑ Krehbiel, Randy (April 6, 2025). "Political notebook: Republican lawmakers sign oil and gas industry letter". Tulsa World. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  26. ↑ Krehbiel, Randy (October 5, 2025). "Political notebook: Oklahoma's child and maternal mortality rates among nation's worst". Tulsa World. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  27. ↑ Savage, Tres (May 29, 2026). "'Tremendous honor': Donald Trump endorses Mike Mazzei for governor of Oklahoma". NonDoc. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  28. 1 2 3 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.
  29. 1 2 Hickey, Olivia (November 24, 2025). "Gov. Kevin Stitt weighs in on crowded gubernatorial race, says he won't back AG Drummond". KOCO-TV. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
  30. ↑ "OK-Statewide-JMC Analytics-RepPrimary-2026-06-02" (PDF). JMC Analytics. June 4, 2026. Retrieved June 4, 2026.
  31. 1 2 Allen, Bryon (May 29, 2026). "Recent Pulse poll shows that Gentner Drummond's image is now 13-points net-negative and his lead in the Republican primary for governor has evaporated" (PDF). Pulse Decision Science. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  32. ↑ "2026 GOP State Election Survey" (PDF). NonDoc Media. May 26, 2026. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
  33. ↑ McFerron, Pat (February 9, 2026). "Drummond Holding Steady". Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  34. ↑ Murray, Nick (November 17, 2025). "Oklahoma Republicans Want More Education Freedom and Will Reward Leaders Who Deliver". yes. every kid. foundation. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
  35. ↑ "Oklahoma Gubernatorial 2026 Republican Primary". co/efficient. October 30, 2025. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
  36. ↑ Robertson, Robbie (October 22, 2025). "New Poll Shows Charles McCall Leading GOP Primary". The Oklahoma Post. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  37. ↑ "Numbers Game: Drummond, McCall, and the road to the 2026 Oklahoma Governor election". The Frontier. October 8, 2025. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  38. 1 2 McFerron, Pat (August 25, 2025). "Drummond Expands Lead". Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates. Retrieved August 26, 2025.
  39. ↑ "OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR POLL: Gentner Drummond Dominates the Republican Primary Field" (PDF). Victory Insights. February 27, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  40. 1 2 McFerron, Pat (February 18, 2025). "First Look at the 2026 Governor's Contest". Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  41. ↑ McFerron, Pat. "Drummond Maintains Lead over Walters". Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  42. 1 2 "Oklahoma Unofficial Results". results.okelections.gov. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
  43. 1 2 Krehbiel, Randy (June 29, 2026). "Political notebook: Health Care Authority says no provider cuts". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  44. ↑ Allen, Bryon (June 24, 2026). "RECENT PULSE POLL SHOWS THAT MIKE MAZZEI LEADS BY SIX POINTS IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY RUNOFF FOR OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR" (PDF). Club for Growth. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  45. ↑ Rogers, John; Buchanan, Brent (June 23, 2026). "New Statewide Poll: Drummond Leads GOP Primary Runoff Election". Twitter. Retrieved June 25, 2026.
  46. ↑ Media, Griffin (April 15, 2025). "Oklahoma House Rep. Cyndi Munson announces run for governor". KOTV-DT. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  47. ↑ Hoberock, Barbara (April 6, 2026). "Candidate filing brings surprises. One new Oklahoma statewide office seeker wins by default". Oklahoma Voice. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  48. ↑ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  49. ↑ "Governor Forecast – 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  50. ↑ "2026 Governor Races | RealClearPolitics". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
  51. ↑ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  52. ↑ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
Official campaign websites
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Oklahoma_gubernatorial_election