Republicans swept every statewide office in Tuesday’s Oklahoma midterms, with Mike Mazzei winning the governor’s race by carrying 72 of 77 counties. Democrats’ lone bright spot: flipping five Republican-held state House seats in urban and suburban areas, the largest House power shift in over a decade. Voters rejected both state questions.
Keaton Ross
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Previewing Oklahoma’s Lieutenant Governor Race
Oklahoma’s lieutenant governor wears several hats. They preside over the state Senate, serve on nine boards and commissions and step in as acting governor when the governor is out of state or otherwise incapacitated. Like the vice president at the federal level, they also help shape policy and promote economic development. For instance, incumbent Matt […]
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Democracy Watch: Previewing Oklahoma’s State Treasurer Race
The typically low-key Office of the State Treasurer has generated plenty of headlines in recent years. Paul Monies has reported extensively on Treasurer Todd Russ’ efforts to incorporate so-called Oklahoma values and anti-ESG principles into the state’s investment funds. In June, Monies reported that Russ was using an unclaimed property office in Clinton as an […]
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Democracy Watch: Previewing Oklahoma’s Attorney General Race
With less than a month until the Nov. 3 general election, the race to become Oklahoma’s next attorney general is heating up. Supporters of Jon Echols have targeted Nick Coffey over a 2024 contribution to Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, claiming that he’s too liberal to represent Oklahoma. Coffey and his backers, meanwhile, have attacked Echols […]
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Previewing Oklahoma’s Insurance Commissioner Race
Both candidates for Oklahoma insurance commissioner make a similar pitch to voters: Elect me, and you’ll pay less for homeowners insurance. Despite its relatively low cost of living, Oklahoma homeowners pay some of the highest insurance premiums in the country. The industry blames severe weather and litigation costs, but a growing number of elected officials, […]
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Previewing the Republican Runoff for Governor
One tight poll. One contentious debate. Daily back-and-forth on social media. Oklahoma’s Republican gubernatorial primary is drawing no shortage of attention. It will all culminate next Tuesday, Aug. 25, when Republican voters decide whether to elect Gentner Drummond or Mike Mazzei as their nominee for governor. Drummond, a rancher, banker and sitting attorney general from […]
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Democracy Watch: Previewing the Democratic Runoff for U.S. Senate
A younger, progressive candidate who is tapping into frustration over money in politics? Or a moderate who argues they’re more electable in a red state? Oklahoma Democrats are faced with that question as N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas and Jim Priest vie for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. It’s the only Democratic runoff race on the […]
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Spending on State Question 832 Exceeds $4 Million
Special interest groups and politically involved nonprofits are spending millions of dollars to influence Oklahoma voters on State Question 832, which seeks to incrementally raise Oklahoma’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2029. Since April 1, a mix of state question and political action committees have reported spending $4.17 million on state question communications. […]
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Republican Primaries for Governor, Attorney General Drive Record Outside Spending
Outside groups have reported nearly $26 million in independent expenditures ahead of the June 16 primary election, almost triple the amount spent in 2022. Several Republican candidates for governor say reform is needed.
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Democratic Primaries Set for Governor, State Superintendent
In deep-red Oklahoma, Republican primaries garner the bulk of political spending and advertising attention. But battles are also brewing among Democratic candidates for a variety of statewide and legislative offices. Oklahoma Democrats will select their preferred candidate for governor and state superintendent during the June 16 primary election. There are also noteworthy Democratic primaries in […]