Two people are now in the race for governor, but more are expected and they could toss their hat in the ring soon.
On Monday, Attorney General Gentner Drummond formally announced his plan to run for governor in 2026 during a news conference in Pawhuska. Drummond’s announcement followed that of Choctaw resident Leisa Mitchell Haynes, who announced her bid for office in July
Whoever is eventually elected governor will succeed Gov. Kevin Stitt, who is entering his final two years in office. During his last campaign, Stitt spent more than $1.9 million of his own funds for his reelection. Stitt spent more than $5 million of his own funds for his first successful campaign for governor.
Here is a look at known and possible candidates for governor and their campaign finance situation, if known:
Gentner Drummond
According to Drummond’s most recent Ethics Commission filing, Oklahoma’s new gubernatorial candidate reported $517,171 on hand, in his 2024 third quarter campaign finance report for attorney general.
Records show that Drummond, as of Monday, Jan. 13, has raised a total of $4,370,633.17 for his attorney general campaign.
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Drummond’s law career spans almost 30 years, including private practice and assistant district attorney in Pawnee and Osage counties. Drummond is a seventh-generation Oklahoman, and he’s been married to his wife, Wendy, since 2010 with a blended family of six kids and seven grandchildren. Drummond has operated his 23,000-acre family ranch and has built businesses including a chain of cellphone stores and a bank.
Leisa Mitchell Haynes
Leisa Mitchell Haynes
Haynes, the first candidate to officially announce her bid for governor, has reported raising $4,150.88, so far for her campaign.
Haynes, who announced her bid for office in July, holds a master’s degree in public administration from University of Central Oklahoma and a bachelor’s degree in communications from East Central University. Haynes worked for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce as the assistant state director from 1989 to 2001, according to her LinkedIn, and she’s also owned a small business, Gas-n-Snak in Choctaw, with eight employees, according to her webpage.
She also has worked as a city manager in Mangum and Tuttle and in New Mexico, according to the McCurtain Gazette. Haynes has been married for 30 years and has three children.
Ryan Walters
Walters, the state schools superintendent, has a total of $106,951 on hand, according to his latest campaign filing. That same report shows Walters spent more than $757,743 for the third quarter 2024.
Walters was a social studies teacher for eight years in McAlester, where he taught Advanced Placement courses in history and government. He served as Stitt’s secretary of education, overseeing multiple state education agencies. Walters and his wife, Katie, have four children.
Charles McCall
Former Speaker of the House Charles McCall during the House and Senate organizational day of the 90th Legislature, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
The former House speaker could be another candidate. A Republican from Atoka and the state’s longest serving speaker, McCall served 12 years in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
According to the latest ethics filings, McCall had $124,586 on hand, in his last third quarter campaign finance report. McCall has worked as a community banker and in the private sector as CEO and Board Chairman of fourth-generation family bank, AmeriState Bank in Atoka. He and his wife, Stephanie, have two sons.
Matt Pinnell
Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell
The lieutenant governor also could throw his hat in the ring for the governor’s election. Pinnell has $971,252 on hand, according to his third quarter campaign finance report. Pinnell runs a small business with his wife. They have been married 22 years and has four children.
Mike Mazzei
Mazzei served 12 years in the Senate and served as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee for 10 years and has been touted as a candidate for governor. Mazzei, however, has not filed to run. He is the founder and CEO of Trinity Strategic Wealth. He and his wife have five children.
Chip Keating
Keating, son of former Republican Gov. Frank Keating, also has been said to be a candidate for governor. Keating served as Stitt’s secretary of public safety and oversaw several state agencies related to public safety. He resigned from his post in 2021. No ethics filings were available for Keating.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: See confirmed, potential candidates for Oklahoma governor