Oklahoma Governor Race: Trump’s Endorsement Boosts Mazzei

The Oklahoma governor race has entered a significant phase following President Donald Trump’s recent endorsement of Mike Mazzei, a former state senator and budget secretary. Trump’s backing appears to influence the dynamics of the race, as reflected in a new survey conducted by JMC Analytics and Polling. The poll indicates Mazzei gaining momentum among likely Republican primary voters, just 12 days before they cast their ballots.

In various surveys conducted earlier this year, Mazzei seldom led the pack. However, the latest poll shows a change; Mazzei has secured 24 percent of the hypothetical vote. Attorney General Gentner Drummond trails closely at 20 percent. Other candidates include former Oklahoma State Senator Jake Merrick at 12 percent, ex-Secretary of Public Safety Chip Keating at 10 percent, and former Oklahoma Speaker of the House Charles McCall at 7 percent. Several other candidates have received less than 3 percent, while 25 percent of voters remain undecided.

Mazzei and Drummond are statistically tied, considering the poll’s margin of error. Mazzei expressed his optimism and alignment with Trump’s conservative policies, stating, “We earned Donald Trump’s endorsement because our conservative policy goals are aligned with his.” He further emphasized their joint mission to reduce taxes, combat government fraud, and boost economic prosperity across the board.

The new poll was conducted on June 2 and June 3, querying 550 likely Republican primary voters, and it carries a margin of error of 4.18 percent. Despite Trump’s recent primary-related losses, including Representative Randy Feenstra’s concession in Iowa, his endorsement typically garners voter consolidation for candidates aligned with his agenda.

When respondents were asked about their preferred candidate, 11 percent of undecided voters leaned toward Mazzei. Keating received 6 percent, Drummond 5 percent, and Merrick and McCall each garnered 3 percent, leaving 68 percent still undecided.

Addressing the primary races, Trump-endorsed candidates generally experienced competitive successes. Despite Republican Senator Bill Cassidy and Congressman Thomas Massie’s defeats, Trump-backed candidates have often emerged victorious.

Concerning key national issues, 30 percent of voters identified inflation and the cost of living as most crucial. Border security and illegal immigration followed as significant concerns for 23 percent of respondents.

Trump’s endorsement praised Mazzei, emphasizing economic growth, job creation, tax cuts, and energy independence. Trump highlighted Mazzei’s commitment to supporting farmers and ranchers, enhancing border security, ensuring law and order, and upholding military and veteran interests.

Further polling data presents a varied snapshot. NonDoc’s poll from May 21-25 saw Mazzei at 22.1 percent, Drummond at 21.66 percent, and Keating at 21.44 percent. McCall also achieved a double-digit stance at 18.38 percent. This survey involved 457 Oklahoma Republicans, with a margin of error of 4.6 percent according to News9.

Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates’ survey from January observed Drummond leading with 36 percent, ahead of McCall’s 14 percent, and Mazzei and Keating tied at 13 percent. Merrick received 5 percent during this survey, which included 600 Republican primary voters in Oklahoma and a margin of error of 4.3 percent.

In October, a co/efficient survey indicated McCall with 31 percent and Drummond at 20 percent. Keating and Merrick had 5 percent and 3 percent, respectively, while Mazzei had 1 percent. This poll showed 3 percent supporting another candidate, and 38 percent undecided.