HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt discuss the ‘MAHA’ movement’s effect on changing ingredients in products from major food companies on ‘The Faulkner Focus.’
Trump-endorsed formerOklahomastate Sen. Mike Mazzei, R-Bixby,. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond advanced to the August 25 runoff in the Sooner State's Republican gubernatorial primary, defeating a slew of other candidates vying to replace term-limited Gov. Kevin Stitt.
Stitt — recently the top Republican at the NationalGovernorsAssociation — was term limited.
Trump called Mazzei a "MAGA warrior" who "will never let you down," throwing the already crowded contest into further uncertainty.
Until that point, Attorney General Gentner Drummond. Mazzei were locked in a tight race with businessman Chip Keating and former Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Tishomingo.
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President Donald Trump wrote that both Florida House seats were won decisively by the Republican candidate. stating the Trump endorsement proved more influential than Democratic opposition.
Trump noted he "won big" in Oklahoma — which. along withWest Virginia, is one of only two states with no blue counties in election results.
Mazzei is running on top issues, including eliminating state propertytaxes, protecting state lands from foreign purchasers, increasing the state’s literacy rate,. cutting waste and abuse from government.
In the latter regard, Stitt appointed Mazzei as hisstate budgetdirector for part of his term.
Some critics targeted Mazzei for hiring former Nixon campaign figure and Trump allyRoger Stoneas a political consultant during his campaign.
Stone, one of the most prolific conservative consultants of the 20th century, famously had his Fort Lauderdale home raided in the middle of the night by theFBIwhile CNN was waiting. filming, sparking national uproar.
"Roger Stone is one of many political advisers. teammates that we have going back months and months and months," Mazzei toldOklahoma City’s ABC affiliate.
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Oklahoma state lawmaker Mike Mazzei gestures to reporters.(Nathan Fish/IMAGN)
"And, of course, it's helpful to have someone on your team that's aware of what's going on in Washington, D.C. And the aspects of a Trump agenda and how they fit with an Oklahoma agenda."
Drummond is running on his tough-on-crimerecord as attorney general, immigration enforcement efforts, career as a fighter pilot. ties to Trump similar to those touted by Mazzei.
"When his nation called, Captain Gentner Drummond answered with courage. Leading the first U.S.combat missionof the Gulf War. he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for "extraordinary achievement." By the end of Operation Desert Storm, Capt. Drummond was one of the most highly decorated Oklahomans of the war," a statement on his campaign website reads.
Drummond highlighted his efforts fighting "theBiden administration’s radical overreach, including failures on immigration". policies permitting biological boys in girls' sports.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond arrives to testify during the House Homeland Security Committee hearing on "Havoc in the Heartland: How Secretary Mayorkas' Failed Leadership Has Impacted the States" in Washington on Jan. 10, 2024.(Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc)
McCall ran on a platform of "family,faithand moral leadership," and burnished his state legislature credentials and record.
He wants to abolish both the stateincome taxand property tax, and put forward an economically conservative plan of action.
Keating. who also served in the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, noted on his campaign website he is the only formerlaw enforcementofficer running for governor.
Keating pushed a public safety-first platform targeting trafficking, open borders andAntifa, whom he described as "radical domestic terrorists."
Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital.
He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant.
Charles coversmedia,politicsand culture for Fox News Digital.
Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduated from Temple University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism. Story tips can be sent to charles.creitz@fox.com.
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