In a little over a year, Oklahomans get to make one of the largest decisions in its state’s politics: the race for a new governor. With incumbent Governor Kevin Stitt limited by his terms, the new candidates are quickly announcing campaigns.
Oklahoma has a history of Republican sway, with the previous two presidential elections sweepingly red, and its last democratic governor in office being Brad Henry up until 2011. The list of confirmed candidates mirrors this trend, with six confirmed candidates being Republican, and even more rumored. This fact makes stark contrast to the sole Democratic candidate, Cyndi Munson.
Munson is currently holding a position in the Oklahoma House of Representatives for the 85th district, additionally being the minority leader in the house for her party. Munson made a historic debut as Oklahoma’s first Asian American member of the State Legislature. The Lawton local is the least likely candidate for election at the moment, as reported by Stuart Rothenberg of Inside Elections as well as Amy Walter of The Cook Political Report.
Current Attorney General Gentner Drummond looks to be the highest bid for governor on the Republican side with backing from the Fraternal Order of the Police in Oklahoma. Drummond has made headlines as Attorney General, most notably during his feud with current Governor Stitt beginning last March. Governor Stitt had filed a lawsuit against Drummond for his decision regarding former Secretary of Transportation Tim Gatz. The Oklahoma Supreme Court resolved the suit in late January of 2025.
Following Drummond’s popularity for governor is Charles McCall, the former speaker of the house for Oklahoma’s House of Representatives. The Atoka native remains notable as Oklahoma’s longest serving speaker of the house. He has experience in both business as the previous CEO of AmeriState bank and politics from his run in the House of Representatives beginning in 2012.
Third overall is Mike Mazzei, Oklahoma’s former Secretary of Budget and former State Senator. Additionally, Mazzei was a strong candidate for State Treasurer before his resignation from the race. Mazzei in his previous election has held strong sway over his competitors, excluding his 2004 election for the Oklahoma Senate, in which the Democratic Party provided no candidate.
The last three candidates, while possible contenders, have limited information on them.
Leisa Mitchell Haynes, Oklahoma native, rose politically as the city manager of Magnum, Oklahoma. She has detailed her desire to raise Oklahoma in education, infrastructure, and government employees, citing Governor Kevin Stitt as the issue.
Jake A. Merrick is known for his year-long stint in the Oklahoma Senate for the 22nd district. In the special election for that position, he was nominated by his predecessor, Stephanie Bice, and by Governor Kevin Stitt. He was nominated by both additionally in his re-election campaign, but lost to Kristen Thompson of Edmond in the primaries.
The last candidate, Kenneth Sturgell of Goldsby, is most noted as an HVAC business owner, former pastor, and former state senator. He has stated support for Kevin Stitt, and is against abortion, and supportive of the Second Amendment right to bear arms. He has expressed an interest in helping small business owners in the state.
A few others have expressed possible interest in running: Ryan Walters, Oklahoma’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction; Chip Keating, former Secretary of Public Safety; Matt Pinell, the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma; and Greg Treat, former President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate. There is no current confirmation of intentions to run from either three.
Others previously considered have now declined to run, such as former Tulsa Mayor G. T. Bynum, Kevin Hearn, a U.S. Representative for Oklahoma, and James Lankford, a U.S. Senator and Baptist Minister.
