Trump-backed Mazzei defeats Drummond in Oklahoma governor GOP runoff

Former state Sen. Mike Mazzei (R) is projected to defeat state Attorney General Gentner Drummond (R) in the Republican primary runoff for Oklahoma governor — a win for President Trump who backed Mazzei in the contest, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Drummond and Mazzei, a financial planner, were vying for the GOP nod to succeed term-limited Gov. Kevin Stitt (R). It’s a critical victory for Trump after several of his initial primary picks in Iowa, Georgia, Minnesota, South Carolina and Wyoming lost their elections earlier this year, raising questions about the power of the president’s endorsement.

Stitt and his wife also donated to Mazzei.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma attorney general received endorsements from the Oklahoma State Fraternal Order of Police, House Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore (R) and former University of Oklahoma football coach Barry Switzer.

Mazzei narrowly trailed Drummond in the initial GOP primary, and some recent polling showed a tight race.

Both candidates also saw millions of dollars poured into their campaigns: Between contributions, loans and money from political action committees, the Oklahoma attorney general raised $10 million overall, according to a pre-primary runoff state campaign finance report.

Meanwhile, Mazzei amassed close to $12.5 million, including a $11 million self-loan, according to his pre-primary runoff state campaign report.

Ahead of the Tuesday primary, Trump attacked Drummond as a “fake Republican,” hitting him for opposing a planned aluminum smelter, which was backed by the president. He also ripped the GOP nominee for campaign contributions to former President Biden, among others.

Drummond has said that an erroneous $1,000 contribution given to the Biden campaign in 2020 was mistakenly made by his wife through their joint account and later refunded, according to Oklahoma Watch .