The 2026 Oklahoma gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the next governor of Oklahoma. Republican former state senator Mike Mazzei and Democratic state representative Cyndi Munson are the nominees for their respective parties. Incumbent Republican governor Kevin Stitt is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to a third term in office. Primary elections were held on June 16, 2026, and in races where no candidate receives over 50% of the vote, runoff elections took place on August 25, 2026.

Republican primary Campaign In August 2023, KOSU noted that Attorney General Gentner Drummond had raised significantly more than other statewide elected officials in 2023, fueling rumors of a gubernatorial run. The same month, The Black Wall Street Times reported State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters was preparing for a 2026 gubernatorial campaign. U.S. Representative 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. In early January 2025, former state senator Mike Mazzei posted a gubernatorial campaign logo to Facebook.

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. On February 18, former Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall officially announced his campaign. Mazzei officially launched his campaign on April 3. In May, former state senator Jake Merrick entered the race followed by businessman Kenneth Sturgell. On October 1, former Governor Frank Keating's son, Chip Keating, entered the race.

Candidates Nominee Mike Mazzei, former Oklahoma Secretary of Budget (2019–2020), former state senator from the 25th district (2004–2016), and candidate for state treasurer in 2022

Eliminated in runoff Gentner Drummond, Oklahoma Attorney General (2023–present)

Eliminated in primary Jennifer Domenico, small business owner Leisa Mitchell Haynes, former Mangum City Manager Chip Keating, former Oklahoma Secretary of Public Safety (2019–2020) and son of former governor Frank Keating Charles McCall, former Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives (2017–2025) from the 22nd district (2013–2024) Jake Merrick, former state senator from the 22nd district (2021–2022) Kenneth Sturgell, HVAC business owner Calup Anthony Taylor

Declined G. T. Bynum, former Mayor of Tulsa (2016–2024) Kevin Hern, U.S. representative from Oklahoma's 1st congressional district (2018–present) (running for U.S. Senate) James Lankford, U.S. Senator (2015–present) Matt Pinnell, Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma (2019–present)

First round Endorsements

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize MarginGentnerDrummondChipKeatingMikeMazzeiJakeMerrickCharlesMcCall Other UndecidedJMC Analytics (R)June 2–3, 2026550 (LV)± 4.2%21%12%26%12%8%4%17% May 29, 2026 Trump endorses MazzeiPulse Decision Science (R)May 26–28, 2026608 (LV)± 4.0%24%17%22%–12%12%13%NonDoc MediaMay 21–25, 2026457 (RV)–22%21%22%7%18%10%–Pulse Decision Science (R)April 7–9, 2026– (LV)–33%21%15%–12%8%11%Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates (R)January 26–30, 2026600 (LV)± 4.3%36%13%13%5%14%–19%yes. every kid.October 29–31, 2025513 (LV)± 4.3%22%7%2%2%22%1%44%co/efficient (R)October 25–27, 2025855 (LV)± 3.2%20%5%1%3%31%3%38%Stratus Intelligence (R)October 15–17, 2025806 (LV)± 3.5%30%7%1%4%32%–19%Stratus Intelligence (R)September 23–25, 2025–± 3.5%35%–––33%–32%Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates (R)August 4–10, 2025400 (LV)± 4.3%48%4%2%4%10%–33%Victory Insights (R)February 23–25, 2025506 (LV)–37%3%1%–6%–52%Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates (R)February 10–15, 2025500 (RV)± 4.3%50%7%––7%–37%

with Ryan Walters Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof errorGentnerDrummondChipKeatingMikeMazzeiJakeMerrickCharlesMcCallMattPinnellRyanWalters UndecidedCole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates (R)August 4–10, 2025500 (RV)± 4.3%43%4%2%3%8%–8%33% Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates (R)May 5–9, 2025500 (RV)± 4.3%39%3%1% 1% 5%10%12%31%Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates (R)February 10–15, 2025500 (RV)± 4.3%44%6%––5%–14%32%

Debate and forum + 2026 Oklahoma gubernatorial election Republican primary debate and candidate forum Date Host Moderator Link Republican Republican Republican RepublicanKey: Participant  Absent  Not invited  Invited Withdrawn Gentner Drummond Chip Keating Mike Mazzei Charles McCall1 Apr. 6, 2026 Oklahoma's Own PoliticsOklahoma Hospital Association Jonathan CooperHaley Hetrick YouTube 2 May 28, 2026 KSWO-TVNonDoc Jennah JamesTres Savage YouTube

Results

Runoff Endorsements

Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error GentnerDrummond MikeMazzei UndecidedCHS & Associates (R)August 2–4, 2026600 (LV)± 4.0%44%44%12%Pulse Decision Science (R)August 2–4, 2026600 (LV)± 4.0%38%44%18%Pulse Decision Science (R)June 21–23, 2026606 (LV)± 4.0%38%44%18%Cygnal (R)June 18–19, 2026600 (LV)± 4.0%44%42%14%

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates Nominee Cyndi Munson, minority leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives (2022–present) from the 85th district (2015–present) Eliminated in primary Arya Azma, securities trader and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022 Connie Johnson, former state senator from the 48th district (2005–2014), nominee for U.S. Senate in 2014, and candidate for governor in 2018 and 2022 Results

Independents Candidates Declared Robert Brooks Sr., farmer Orlando Lynn Bush Jerry Griffin, former Tulsa school board member

General election Predictions SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political ReportSeptember 11, 2025Decision Desk HQSeptember 23, 2026Fox NewsJuly 23, 2026Inside ElectionsOctober 1, 2026RealClearPoliticsJune 5, 2026Sabato's Crystal BallSeptember 4, 2025Silver Bulletin August 28, 2026

Post-primary endorsements

See also 2026 United States gubernatorial elections

Notes

Partisan clients

References

External links Official campaign websites Mike Mazzei (R) Cyndi Munson (D) Jerry Griffin (I)