Mike Mazzei won the Republican nomination for Oklahoma governor Tuesday after Gentner Drummond conceded an exceptionally close runoff election.
With 1,972 of 1,984 Election Day precincts reporting statewide, Mazzei had 185,542 votes, or 50.28%, compared with Drummond’s 183,497 votes, or 49.72%. The unofficial margin was 2,045 votes, or 0.56 percentage points.
Drummond led among absentee and early voters, but Mazzei overcame that advantage with a stronger Election Day showing. Mazzei advances to the November general election and will face Democrat Cyndi Munson.
In his concession speech, Drummond said, “hear me clearly: we concede an election; we do not surrender our convictions. We will not stop believing that Oklahoma can be stronger, safer, healthier, more educated, and more prosperous than it is today.”
Other statewide runoff contests produced more decisive results.
State Superintendent
Robert Franklin led James Taylor in the Republican runoff for state superintendent of public instruction. Franklin received 195,821 votes, or 54.63%, while Taylor received 162,643 votes, or 45.37%. Franklin’s margin was 33,178 votes.
Franklin will now face Jennettie Marshall in the Nov. 3 general election.
The current State Superintendent, Lindel Fields, was placed in the position after former Superintendent Ryan Walters resigned to return to the private sector. Fields said he would not seek election and will not appear on the November ballot.
Labor Commissioner
In the Republican runoff for labor commissioner, Kevin West led John Pfeiffer by 57,598 votes. West received 202,716 votes, or 58.28%, compared with Pfeiffer’s 145,118 votes, or 41.72%.
West will face Democratic candidate Kevin Dawson and Libertarian candidate Mike Hall in the general election, neither of whom drew a primary candidate. The winner in the general election will succeed current Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn, who has reached her term limit.
Insurance Commissioner
Bob Sullivan led the Republican runoff for insurance commissioner with 193,730 votes, or 55.13%. Marty L. Quinn received 157,682 votes, or 44.87%, leaving Sullivan with a 36,048-vote advantage.
Sullivan will face Shawnee Democrat Craig McIntyre in the general election. The general election winner will succeed Glen Mulready, who termed out.
US Senate (Democrat)
N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas led Jim Priest in the Democratic runoff for U.S. Senate. Thomas received 77,944 votes, or 61.07%, while Priest received 49,693 votes, or 38.93%. Her margin was 28,251 votes.
Thomas will now take on Republican nominee Kevin Hern in November.
State Question 844 rejected
Oklahoma voters overwhelmingly rejected State Question 844, a proposed constitutional amendment concerning reimbursements associated with the state’s five-year property-tax exemption for manufacturers.
The existing exemption is intended to encourage manufacturers to locate, expand or acquire facilities in Oklahoma. The state currently reimburses schools, counties, cities, emergency medical services districts, vocational-technical schools, junior colleges, county health departments and libraries for revenue lost because of the exemption.
State Question 844 would have authorized the Legislature to establish new reimbursement levels and methods. The proposal was intended to ensure that reimbursement provided to one county would not be detrimental to other Oklahoma counties. It also would have changed how exempt property is treated when calculating political subdivisions’ debt limits.
The proposal’s fiscal effect would have depended on the reimbursement levels and methods subsequently adopted by lawmakers.
The measure received 137,700 “yes” votes, or 26.28%, while 386,282 voters, or 73.72%, opposed it. It was defeated by 248,582 votes.
Its rejection leaves the existing constitutional and statutory reimbursement framework in place.
State Question 846 approved
Voters approved State Question 846, placing a proof-of-identity requirement for voting in the Oklahoma Constitution.
Oklahoma already required voters to provide proof of identity under state law, but the amendment gives the requirement constitutional status. It applies to all authorized voting methods in elections conducted by county election boards or the State Election Board and directs the Legislature to enact laws specifying the requirements.
The proposal received 290,582 “yes” votes, or 54.73%, while 240,399 voters, or 45.27%, opposed it. The measure passed by 50,183 votes.
Creek County tax passes narrowly
Creek County voters approved the continuation of a one-third-cent sales tax for roads, bridges and other improvements to the county highway system by just 72 votes.
With all 35 Election Day precincts reporting, the proposition received 5,134 “yes” votes, or 50.35%, and 5,062 “no” votes, or 49.65%.
Election Day voters opposed the proposition by 74 votes, but its advantage among absentee and early voters was enough to carry it.
Revenue from the tax may also be used or pledged to repay principal and interest on debt incurred for county highway projects, including refinancing existing debt.
The tax will take effect Jan. 1, 2027, when the existing tax of the same rate and purpose expires, and will remain in effect permanently. Because it replaces the existing tax, the proposition continues the current sales-tax rate rather than adding a new increase.
All results remain unofficial until certified.