Key facts
- Oklahoma is holding primary elections for open races for US Senate and governor.
- President Donald Trump has endorsed U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern for the Senate seat and former state Sen. Mike Mazzei for governor.
- The Senate seat was previously held by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
- The governor's race is a crowded contest to succeed outgoing Gov. Kevin Stitt, who is term-limited.
- Other notable Republican candidates for governor include Attorney General Gentner Drummond, former Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall, and former public safety director Chip Keating.
- A runoff election is likely if no candidate receives over 50% of the vote.
Oklahoma is holding primary elections on Tuesday for open races for the U.S. Senate and governor, testing President Donald Trump's influence in the deeply conservative state.
In the Senate race, Trump's early endorsement of U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern for the seat vacated by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has deterred other significant challengers. Oklahoma has not elected a Democratic senator since 1990.
The race for governor, to succeed outgoing Gov. Kevin Stitt, presents a potentially larger test of Trump's sway. Trump endorsed former state Sen. Mike Mazzei late in the primary. The field also includes prominent Republicans such as Attorney General Gentner Drummond, former Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall, and former state public safety director Chip Keating.
Given the number of candidates, it is likely that a runoff election will be necessary in August if no candidate secures at least 50% of the vote.
Markwayne Mullin left the Senate to join the Department of Homeland Security. Alan Armstrong is currently serving as an interim appointee for the Senate seat but is prohibited by state law from running for a full term.
Governor Kevin Stitt, in office since 2019, is unable to run for re-election due to term limits. Trump had previously criticized Stitt, referring to him as a "RINO" (Republican in Name Only) following a dispute over White House event invitations.