Oklahoma’s Bitter GOP Runoff Sparks Speculation of First Democratic Governor in 20 Years

Oklahoma has been embroiled in a bitter political contest this year as its Republican primary runoff threatens to set the stage for the state’s first Democratic governor in over two decades.

Political analysts note that Henry Bellmon’s historic election as Oklahoma’s first Republican governor in 1962 followed a similarly divisive Democratic primary and runoff, which was often described as “incendiary” or “bloody.” Publisher W.P. “Bill” Atkinson narrowly won the 1962 runoff against former Governor Raymond Gary, but the contentious race left lasting scars. Bellmon secured his victory with 55% of the vote in that historic election.

This year’s Republican runoff has become so acrimonious that no matter who wins, some believe state House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson could become Oklahoma’s first Democratic governor in more than two decades. Competing for the Republican nomination are state Attorney General Gentner Drummond and former state Senator Mike Mazzei, with Drummond receiving 26.25% of the vote in June’s primary and Mazzei garnering 25.97%.

A former Oklahoma GOP National Committeewoman, Pam Pollard, wrote in an email: “The lesson everyone should learn about President Trump is never speak bad about him, as you WILL suffer his wrath.” Pollard was referencing Drummond’s much-publicized response to a 2017 fundraising letter for Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), in which Hern stated: “Kevin’s affinity for Trump is a non-starter for me. Any meeting is a waste of time.”

Drummond’s wife also donated $1,000 to Joe Biden, who ran against Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election, though she claimed the contribution was made by mistake using her credit card and has requested a refund. Drummond has publicly supported Trump’s hard-line stance on crime but has expressed disagreement with the president’s tariffs. In a recent video, Trump endorsed Mazzei while dismissing Drummond as a “total RINO,” or Republican in name only.