State questions, party nominees to be decided in Oklahoma’s August runoff election
Caroline MolloyOklahoma voters are ready to head to the polls for primary runoff elections and to consider a couple of state questions.
The race snagging the most headlines is the runoff for the Republican nomination for governor, and for good reason. Polling shows a tight race — even if prediction markets seem to favor one candidate.
There are other statewide races to watch, including GOP runoffs for State Superintendent, Insurance Commissioner and Labor Commissioner. On the other side of the aisle, Democrats will decide who to nominate for a U.S. Senate race against Republican Congressman Kevin Hern in November.
For independents barred from participating in partisan primaries, they can cast a ballot on the two state questions. The issues include property tax tweaks and enshrining voter identification requirements already in place by statute in the state constitution.
You can view upcoming elections in your area and find your polling location and hours on the Oklahoma Voter Portal. Early voting is Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and continues Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Election Day is Tuesday, Aug. 25, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Read below for information on some of the races KOSU is following.
Governor – Republican Party
The tug-o-war to become Oklahoma’s Republican nominee for Governor comes to an end next Tuesday, after a fiery two months of campaigning from the party’s top contenders.
In June, Oklahomans elected Trump-endorsed business man and financial planner Mike Mazzei and incumbent state attorney general Gentner Drummond as their top two Republican picks. The two candidates share many priorities, while differing on what they consider the best approach to accomplishing what they promise.
Both say they want to get rid of the state income tax, though Drummond has expressed concern with slashing state revenues without a sure-fire way to replace them.
Mazzei has said he plans to compete with nearby states by cutting Oklahoma’s personal and corporate income taxes. The idea is to attract more business to the state and stimulate the economy, he said. Drummond says economic growth will be spurred by ensuring Oklahomans are educated and physically and mentally healthy enough to work the jobs required of them.
Both say they support property tax relief for veterans and seniors. Mazzei is promising the more gung-ho approach of eliminating the tax completely for the specific groups, while Drummond worries about cutting essential public safety and education dollars for local jurisdictions – he vows to strengthen the homestead exemption instead.
When it comes to education, both candidates said they support a system with strong literacy reforms, third-grade retention requirements and recruiting and retention incentives for qualified teachers.
They disagree on whether Oklahomans’ tax dollars should be used to fund religious charter schools. Mazzei backs the idea, aligning with President Trump on the safely Republican view that governments should subsidize the most options for parents to educate their children, including private and religious schools.
While Drummond supports school choice, he draws the line at state-funded religious schools, calling the idea a violation of the First Amendment’s establishment of religion clause.
