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]Speculation on potential candidates for Governor of Oklahoma began in 2023, shortly after the 2022 Oklahoma gubernatorial election victory of Kevin Stitt. Stitt is ineligible to run for another term, leaving the seat open in 2026. The Oklahoman listed Ryan Walters, Gentner Drummond, Charles McCall, and Matt Pinnell as the most likely candidates to run in January 2023.[1] In April 2023, the Tulsa World identified Walters, Drummond, McCall, and Greg Treat as likely candidates.[2]
In August 2023, KOSU noted that Drummond had fundraised over $200,000 during 2023, significantly higher than other statewide elected officials such as Walters who raised $250 in the same timeframe.[3] The same month, The Black Wall Street Times reported Walters was preparing for a 2026 gubernatorial campaign.[4] Congressman 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, but he has yet to officially launched a campaign.[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]
Primary elections will be held on June 16, 2026.[9]
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Gentner Drummond, Oklahoma Attorney General (2023–present)[8]
- Leisa Mitchell Haynes, former city manager of Rio Communities, New Mexico[10]
Announcement pending
[edit]- Mike Mazzei, former Oklahoma Secretary of Budget (2019–2020) and former state senator (2004–2016)[11]
Potential
[edit]- Chip Keating, former Oklahoma Secretary of Public Safety (2019–2020) and son of former governor Frank Keating[11]
- Charles McCall, Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives (2017–2025)[12]
- Matt Pinnell, Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma (2019–present)[13]
- Ryan Walters, Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction (2023–present)[14]
Declined
[edit]- Kevin Hern, U.S. Representative from Oklahoma's 1st congressional district (2018–present)[6]
- James Lankford, U.S. Senator (2015–present)[15]
Endorsements
[edit]- Unions
- Oklahoma Fraternal Order of Police[8]
- Organizations
- Association of Oklahoma General Contractors[16]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Felder, Ben (January 4, 2023). "What's ahead on the Oklahoma political front? Eight storylines to follow in 2023". The Oklahoman. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
- ^ Forman, Carmen (April 16, 2023). "Is Oklahoma's next governor's race already getting started?". Tulsa World. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
- ^ 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 Evans, Murray (January 13, 2025). "AG Gentner Drummond announces bid for Oklahoma governor in 2026 election". The Oklahoman. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
- ^ Swaim, Kyler (January 13, 2025). "Oklahoma Attorney General announces 2026 gubernatorial bid". KNWA. Retrieved January 15, 2025.
- ^ Clay, Nolan (November 10, 2024). "The 2024 election is over. Who's already running in Oklahoma in 2026?". The Oklahoman. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Onstot, Evan (November 7, 2024). "With elections top of mind, who could be contenders for Oklahoma's next governor?". KOCO. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ Krehbiel, Randy (December 9, 2024). "First District Congressman Kevin Hern to bypass '26 gubernatorial election". Tulsa World. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
- ^ Evans, Murray (December 19, 2024). "What could Ryan Walters do next after being bypassed by Donald Trump? He has options". The Oklahoman. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ^ "'Not Running': US Sen. Lankford Dismisses Rumors Of Running For Oklahoma Governor". KWTV-DT. June 25, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
- ^ "Association of Oklahoma General Contractors endorse Gentner Drummond for governor". KOKI-TV. January 22, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.