2026 Oklahoma gubernatorial election

Last updated

2026 Oklahoma gubernatorial election
Flag of Oklahoma.svg
  2022 November 3, 20262030 
 
Party Republican Democratic

Incumbent Governor

Kevin Stitt
Republican



The 2026 Oklahoma gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Oklahoma. Incumbent Republican Governor Kevin Stitt is term-limited and will be prohibited by the Constitution of Oklahoma from seeking a third term. Oklahoma's current constitution term limits governors from serving for longer than 8 years, regardless of whether or not that time is consecutive.

Contents

Background

Speculation on potential candidates for Governor of Oklahoma began in 2023, shortly after the 2022 Oklahoma gubernatorial election victory of Kevin Stitt. Stitt is ineligible to run for another term, leaving the seat open in 2026. The Oklahoman listed Ryan Walters, Gentner Drummond, Charles McCall, and Matt Pinnell as the most likely candidates to run in January 2023. [1] In April 2023, the Tulsa World identified Walters, Drummond, McCall, and Greg Treat as likely candidates. [2]

In August 2023, KOSU noted that Drummond had fundraised over $200,000 during 2023, significantly higher than other statewide elected officials such as Walters who raised $250 in the same timeframe. [3] The same month, The Black Wall Street Times reported Walters was preparing for a 2026 gubernatorial campaign. [4] Congressman Kevin Hern was the first major contender to public acknowledge he was considering a campaign in August 2024, but ruled out a run that December after House Republicans won a narrow majority in the 2024 elections. [5] [6]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Potential

Declined

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oklahoma Republican Party</span> Oklahoma affiliate of the Republican Party

The Oklahoma Republican Party is an Oklahoma political party affiliated with the Republican Party. Along with the Oklahoma Democratic Party, it is one of the two major parties in the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Bingman</span> American politician

Brian John Bingman is an American politician from the U.S. state of Oklahoma who has served in elected and appointed offices since the 1990s. A member of the Republican Party, he was first elected to the Sapulpa city commission in 1992, before being elected mayor by his fellow commissioners in 1994. He would serve in both of these offices until 2004, when he was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives to represent the 30th district. After one term in the house, Bingman ran for the 12th district of the Oklahoma Senate in 2006 and would hold the seat until term limited in 2016. In 2011, he was elected by Republican senators to serve as the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, a position he would hold until retirement in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nathan Dahm</span> American politician (born 1983)

Nathan Ryan Dahm is an American politician who has served the Chair of the Oklahoma Republican Party since 2023. He previously served in the Oklahoma Senate representing the 33rd district from 2012 to 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Stitt</span> Governor of Oklahoma since 2019

John Kevin Stitt is an American businessman and politician serving as the 28th governor of Oklahoma since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he was elected in 2018, defeating Democrat and former state Attorney General Drew Edmondson with 54.3% of the vote. Stitt was reelected to a second term in 2022, defeating Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister, a Republican turned Democrat, with 55.4% of the vote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Pinnell</span> American politician

Philip Matthew Pinnell is an American politician serving as the 17th lieutenant governor of Oklahoma, since 2019. Pinnell is also serving as the first Oklahoma Secretary of Tourism & Branding. Pinnell is a member of the Republican Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terry O'Donnell (politician)</span> American politician

Terry O'Donnell is an American politician and a member of the Republican Party who served as the Oklahoma House Representative for the 23rd district from January 8, 2013, to November 20, 2024. He first won elected office in the 2012 Oklahoma state elections. In January 2021, O'Donnell was promoted to be the speaker pro tempore of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the second highest ranking Republican Party of Oklahoma member in the state house. On December 17, 2021, O'Donnell was indicted in relation to a tag agency corruption scandal. He resigned as speaker pro tempore on February 2, 2022 but later rejoined House Republican leadership in 2023 as majority whip, "a position that involves coordinating the teams of legislators that whip vote counts ahead of key bills."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Hilbert</span> American politician

Kyle Hilbert is a Republican member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the current speaker pro tempore. He has represented 29th district of the Oklahoma House of Representatives since 2016 and is the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives-elect.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States Senate election in Oklahoma</span>

The 2022 United States Senate election in Oklahoma was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Oklahoma. Incumbent senator James Lankford won re-election to a second full term, defeating cybersecurity professional Madison Horn in a landslide, winning all 77 counties with more than 50% of the vote in each.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Oklahoma</span>

The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Oklahoma were held on November 8, 2022, to elect the five U.S. representatives from the state of Oklahoma, one from each of the state's five congressional districts. The primary elections for the Republican. Democratic, and Libertarian parties' nominations took place on June 28, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Oklahoma gubernatorial election</span>

The 2022 Oklahoma gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Oklahoma. Incumbent Republican governor Kevin Stitt was re-elected to a second term, with 55.5% of the vote, defeating Democratic candidate Joy Hofmeister.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2026 United States Senate election in Oklahoma</span>

The 2026 United States Senate election in Oklahoma is scheduled for November 3, 2026. Incumbent Senator Markwayne Mullin has not announced whether he will seek reelection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Martinez (politician)</span> Oklahoma state representative

Ryan Martinez is an American politician who served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 39th District from 2016 through his resignation in 2023. An influential member during his tenure, Martinez resigned after charges for driving under the influence generated a political scandal and a lawsuit seeking his removal from office.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Oklahoma elections</span>

A general election was held in the state of Oklahoma on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. The primary election was held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. Runoff primary elections, where necessary, were held on Tuesday, August 23. The candidate filing period was April 13, 2022 to April 15, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States Senate special election in Oklahoma</span>

The 2022 United States Senate special election in Oklahoma was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate for Oklahoma. The election took place concurrently with the regularly scheduled election for Oklahoma's other Senate seat. The candidate filing deadline was between April 13 and 15, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Oklahoma Attorney General election</span>

The 2022 Oklahoma Attorney General election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the next attorney general of Oklahoma. The primary election was scheduled for Tuesday, June 28, 2022. The candidate filing deadline was April 15, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Walters (politician)</span> American politician (born 1985)

Ryan Walters is an American politician who has served as the elected Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction since 2023 and who served as the appointed Oklahoma Secretary of Education between September 2020 and April 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gentner Drummond</span> American attorney and politician

Gentner Frederick Drummond is an American attorney, rancher, banker, and politician from Oklahoma. Drummond is a member of the Republican Party and the current Attorney General of Oklahoma. He flew in the Gulf War air campaign during the Persian Gulf War, gaining national coverage for being one of the first American pilots interviewed during the war. He resides in the McBirney Mansion and is a member of the Oklahoma Drummond ranching family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Oklahoma State Question 820</span> Voter initiative to legalize cannabis

Oklahoma State Question 820 was a voter initiative to legalize adult purchasing, possession and consumption of cannabis in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It would have placed Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority in charge of business regulation. It appeared on the March 7, 2023 in a special election to consider this single State Question. Governor Kevin Stitt, who opposed the measure, set the special election in a successful attempt to limit voter turnout.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Oklahoma elections</span>

A general election was held in the state of Oklahoma on November 5, 2024. The primary elections for the Republican, Democratic, and Libertarian parties' nominations for offices other than president of the United States will take place on June 18, 2024. All candidates must file between the days of April 3–5, 2024. Oklahoma voters will elect 1 of 3 members of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, all of its seats to the House of Representatives, all of the seats of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, 24 of 48 seats in the Oklahoma State Senate, and other local and municipal offices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2026 Oklahoma elections</span>

A general election is scheduled in the U.S. State of Oklahoma on November 3, 2026. Oklahoma voters will elect one of the state's U.S. Senators, the Governor of Oklahoma, the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma, the Attorney General of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector, the Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Oklahoma State Treasurer, 1 of the 3 Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners, the Oklahoma Commissioner of Labor, the Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner, all of its seats to the House of Representatives, all of the seats of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, 24 of 48 seats in the Oklahoma State Senate, and other local and municipal offices.

References

  1. Felder, Ben (January 4, 2023). "What's ahead on the Oklahoma political front? Eight storylines to follow in 2023". The Oklahoman . Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  2. Forman, Carmen (April 16, 2023). "Is Oklahoma's next governor's race already getting started?". Tulsa World . Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  3. Nissley, Isabel (August 8, 2023). "Oklahoma Attorney General raises $225K, topping state officials' campaign contributions". KOSU . Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  4. "Sources: Ryan Walters mulls bid for governor amid attacks on TPS". The Black Wall Street Times . August 7, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  5. Krehbiel, Randy (August 29, 2024). "Could Congressman Kevin Hern be Oklahoma's next governor?". Tulsa World . Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  6. 1 2 Solender, Andrew (December 9, 2024). "House GOP's tiny majority helps kill a bid for governor". Axios . Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 Clay, Nolan (November 10, 2024). "The 2024 election is over. Who's already running in Oklahoma in 2026?". The Oklahoman . Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  8. Onstot, Evan (November 7, 2024). "With elections top of mind, who could be contenders for Oklahoma's next governor?". KOCO . Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  9. Krehbiel, Randy (December 9, 2024). "First District Congressman Kevin Hern to bypass '26 gubernatorial election". Tulsa World . Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  10. "'Not Running': US Sen. Lankford Dismisses Rumors Of Running For Oklahoma Governor". KWTV-DT . June 25, 2024. Retrieved November 12, 2024.