Mike Mazzei, a Tulsa businessman and former state senator, was selected as the Republican nominee for Oklahoma governor in the June 25 runoff primary after state Attorney General Gentner Drummond conceded the race. The Republican primary was held after nine candidates advanced to a runoff following the June 16 initial round, in which Mazzei and Drummond each received roughly 26% of the vote. Trump endorsed Mazzei in May and, on June 24, posted on his Truth Social platform that Drummond was a 'FAKE Republican.' The endorsement was followed by more than $14 million in advertising during the 10‑week runoff, most of it from independent groups, according to AdImpact. Mazzei thanked Trump for his support, saying the president's remarks helped him reach a Monday evening virtual rally attended by about 38,000 people. At the rally, Mazzei referenced his 2008 automobile accident and said his faith guides his decision‑making, adding that he would let the Bible inform his governance. Mazzei, 61, is the founder of an investment management firm and served 12 years in the Oklahoma Senate. Drummond, 62, is a rancher, attorney and former Air Force pilot who was elected attorney general in 2022. Drummond praised Mazzei as a 'fierce competitor' and thanked him for his military and political service, while stating he would not abandon his convictions. In a statement to supporters, Drummond said the governor must serve all Oklahomans, not just those who contribute large campaign funds. Trump criticized Drummond for saying he had no opinion on the 2021 impeachment of Trump after the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Trump described Drummond as a disaster and said he does not represent Oklahoma values. Drummond also expressed respect for Trump, noting that the former president won more than 65% of the vote in Oklahoma in each of his three presidential campaigns. Campaign finance records show that Mazzei funded his campaign with personal loans of at least $11.9 million, while Drummond raised $4.8 million in contributions and loaned his campaign $3.5 million. Both Trump and Drummond have criticized Governor Kevin Stitt, whom Trump labeled a 'RINO' earlier in the year, and Drummond described Stitt's eight years in office as marked by 'mediocrity and flipping.' Drummond alleged that Mazzei's campaign paid a consulting firm operated by longtime Trump associate Roger Stone $67,500, according to finance filings. Stitt had endorsed Mazzei, but his relationship with Trump soured after a dispute over White House event invitations. Drummond is expected to face Democratic nominee Cyndi Munson, Oklahoma House Minority Leader, in the November general election, a race that has not been won by a Democrat since 2006. The runoff result underscores Trump's continued influence in Oklahoma politics as Mazzei prepares to challenge Munson for the governorship.