Trump-endorsed candidate clears key hurdle in red state gubernatorial race

Key Points:

• Mike Mazzei, a former Oklahoma state senator and financial planner, won the GOP gubernatorial primary runoff with endorsements from President Donald Trump and outgoing Gov. Kevin Stitt, positioning him as the favorite to become Oklahoma's next governor.
• Mazzei defeated current Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who has clashed publicly with Stitt over lawsuits targeting Oklahoma poultry companies for pollution, with Stitt criticizing Drummond's approach as harmful to the state's economy.
• Mazzei's campaign focuses on cutting taxes, including plans to eliminate income tax in six years and property taxes for seniors and veterans, as well as preventing foreign land purchases and improving education and government accountability.
• Drummond emphasized his record as a tough-on-crime attorney general and military veteran, highlighting efforts against illegal marijuana farms and immigration enforcement, but was criticized by Mazzei and conservative groups for opposing school choice and expanding government.
• Mazzei will face Democratic nominee Cyndi Munson, the Oklahoma House minority leader, in the general election scheduled for November 3.