Drummond, Mazzei advance after June primary fell short of majority
Oklahoma voters will return to the polls Tuesday to settle the Republican gubernatorial runoff between State Attorney General Gentner Drummond and former state Sen. Mike Mazzei, while Democrats select their nominee for U.S. Senate. Voters will also weigh two statewide ballot measures, according to the Associated Press.
The AP characterized the gubernatorial contest as “an expensive nomination fight” for the seat held by term-limited Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt. The wire service said the runoff outcome “has major implications for the fall general election, as Democrats haven’t won the Oklahoma governorship in 20 years.”
Drummond and Mazzei were the top two finishers in the June 16 Republican primary among nine candidates. According to the AP, Drummond just edged Mazzei 26.25% to 25.97%, with both falling far short of the majority needed to avoid Tuesday’s runoff.
The gubernatorial runoff will further test President Donald Trump’s endorsement power, according to the AP, as Republicans compete to replace Stitt, who is barred by term limits from seeking another term.
Democrats will choose their nominee for U.S. Senate in a parallel contest on Tuesday’s ballot. Two statewide ballot measures also appear, including a proposed constitutional amendment that would add a voter identification requirement to the Oklahoma Constitution.