Op-ed: Drummond, the Antifa Candidate

The Antifa Candidate

by James Silberman

Leftists cynically and dishonestly wielding the epithet “fascist” against Republicans has become a feature of modern American politics. Every Republican Presidential nominee since Gerald Ford has faced a version of this accusation. Kamala Harris repeatedly called President Trump a fascist during the 2024 election cycle.

But its use is not merely electoral. This particular slander serves another purpose crucial to the Left’s plan: justifying violence and legal persecution against conservatives. “Hey, Fascist! Catch!” was engraved on the bullet that took Charlie Kirk from this world. As was said by many following the Kirk assassination, "They don't kill us because they think we're fascists; they call us fascists so they can justify killing us." The 2023 indictments of President Trump and his staff were similarly justified by claiming the defendants deserved jail because of their “fascism.”

At a Tuesday forum, Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate Gentner Drummond proclaimed that political parties “want the most extreme candidate to be their banner-waver,” and that the “extreme” candidates favored by the GOP are “fascists.”

In the following words, I may seem indignant at Drummond’s use of the phrase. That is because I am indignant. You should be too. Drummond’s reckless accusation plays into a radical, far-left narrative about American conservatives that often puts us in physical danger. 

Meadows publishes his 'Charlie's Picks' for 2026 runoff election

Historically one of the highly anticipated "picks" of each election cycle by grassroots conservatives, former Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee chairman (and recent Logan County Commissioner) Charlie Meadows has published his thoughts on the 2026 runoff election. Meadows, who long opined on Oklahoma politics when he was chairman of OCPAC in his famous email newsletters, now has a new podcast, The ABCs of Politics and Culture. Without further ado, here are Charlie's Picks:

Charlie’s Picks 2026 Runoff Election

Based upon my research I have come up with the candidates that I believe should be elected. Folks reading this may have information about a particular candidate of which I am unaware and therefore have a different opinion which is understandable.  Please share this with others. Should you want to contact me my email address is charliemeadows7@gmail.com. Look on the bottom of your voter ID card sent to you from your county election board if you are unsure of the State House, Senate or US Representative districts in which you live. I have done interviews with all of the Statewide candidates on our ABCs of Politics and Culture Podcast which can be found on Facebook, YouTube, X and Rumble. By watching those interviews it may help you make up your mind and understand why I have endorsed them.

Governor:  MIKE MAZZEI  This is the most important race on the ballot for a state wide race.

Congressman Brecheen on why he supports Marty Quinn for Insurance Commissioner

Here's Congressman Josh Brecheen on why he's supporting Marty Quinn for Insurance Commissioner:

I agree with Brecheen. Vote for Marty Quinn on August 25th!

TRANSCRIPT

Josh Brecheen: We are moving to a place in the next several days where you’re gonna be choosing who’s gonna be your next Insurance Commissioner, and I made up my mind many, many months ago. It’s Marty Quinn.

Muskogee, Coca-Cola partner for 'Paint the Nation' America250 initiative, unveil downtown mural design

MUSKOGEE UNVEILS DESIGN FOR DOWNTOWN MURAL AS PART OF COCA-COLA'S PAINT THE NATION INITIATIVE

MUSKOGEE, OK – (8.12.26) – Love Bottling Company and ABV Agency today unveiled the final design for a mural in downtown Muskogee. The public art project will transform the southwest-facing wall of the Ruth Kelly Studio building into a vibrant tribute to the city's rich history, iconic landmarks and enduring community spirit. The mural is part of Coca-Cola's nationwide Paint the Nation initiative, commemorating America's 250th anniversary.

Cong. Brecheen announces 15 town halls across 2nd District

Congressman Brecheen Announces August Town Halls

Oklahoma (August 3rd) – On Monday, Congressman Brecheen announced his August town hall schedule which includes stops in 15 different cities. [UPDATE: the dates were adjusted on August 11th. The town halls will now start run from August 26th to August 28th]

Wednesday, August 26th, 2026

8:00am - 9:00am
Muskogee Town Hall
Martin Luther King Center
Conference Room
300 W. Martin Luther King St.
Muskogee, OK 74401

12:00pm - 1:00pm
Eufaula Town Hall
Eufaula Memorial Library
301 S. First St.
Eufaula, OK 74432

2:00pm - 3:00pm
Wilburton Town Hall
Latimer County Public Library
301 W. Ada Ave.
Wilburton, OK 74578

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Poteau Town Hall
Donald W. Reynolds Community Center
105 Reynolds Ave.
Poteau, OK 74953

7:00pm - 8:00pm
Broken Bow Town Hall
Broken Bow Library
404 N. Broadway St.
Broken Bow, OK 74728

Thursday, August 27th, 2026

8:00am - 9:00am
Tishomingo Town Hall
Johnston County Library
116 W. Main St.
Tishomingo, OK 73460

10:00am - 11:00am
Durant Town Hall
Donald W. Reynolds Library
1515 W. Main St.
Durant, OK 74701

12:00pm - 1:00pm
Coalgate Town Hall
Coal County Public Library
115 W. Ohio Ave.
Coalgate, OK 74538

2:00pm - 3:00pm
McAlester Town Hall
Southeast Expo Center
Room 101
4500 W. US Highway 270
McAlester, OK 74501

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Holdenville Town Hall
Grace M. Pickens Public Library
209 E. 9th St.
Holdenville, OK 74848

6:00pm - 7:00pm
Okemah Town Hall
Okfuskee County Historical Society
407 W. Broadway Street
Okemah, OK 74859

Friday, August 28th, 2026

8:00am - 9:00am
Jay Town Hall
Delaware County Fairgrounds
300 Fairground Boulevard
Jay, OK 74346

10:00am - 11:00am
Chouteau Town Hall
Chouteau Town Hall
111 S. Lewis St.
Chouteau, OK 74337

2:00pm - 3:00pm
Claremore Town Hall
Claremore Conference Center
Will Rogers South Ballroom
1400 W. Country Club Rd.
Claremore, OK 74017

5:00pm - 6:00pm
Bartlesville Town Hall
Tri County Tech
Event Center
6101 Nowata Rd.
Bartlesville, OK 74006

President Trump releases video message touting Mike Mazzei for Governor

President Trump recently recorded a video touting his support of conservative candidate Mike Mazzei in the Republican gubernatorial runoff election:

Transcript: 

A very big hello to Oklahoma, a state that I won big. In fact, 77 out of 77 counties or whatever you happen to call them, but it was 77 out of 77. 

There's an important runoff election coming up in your state on Tuesday, August 25th. I'm asking all of you to get out and vote for MAGA Warrior Mike Mazzei to be the next governor of Oklahoma. And it really is, it's a place that I love. I think it's incredible. Mike has my complete and total endorsement. 

Gann criticizes House leaders for censoring and denying study requests on Inola smelter, AI surveillance, and House rules

I have noticed a recurring pattern when it comes to the Oklahoma State House leadership under Speaker Kyle Hilbert: they do not like conservative State Rep. Tom Gann and his reform-minded watchdog bent.

Gann Raises Concerns After House Leadership Blocks Hearing on  Controversial Proposed Oklahoma Smelter Project 

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 27th) — State Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, condemned Oklahoma State House  leadership Tuesday for rejecting three key interim-study requests, including a proposed hearing on the controversial Inola aluminum smelter, the ongoing rollout of automated AI surveillance technology, and a study on reforming the rules governing House activity and conduct. 

Gann also said House officials prevented the House press office from distributing his public statement criticizing the denials. Members ordinarily submit news releases through the taxpayer funded office for distribution to news organizations and publication on the House website. 

“This is censorship, plain and simple,” Gann said. “House leadership first used its power to  prevent an elected representative from studying matters of enormous public importance. It then used its control of a taxpayer-funded press office to suppress criticism of that decision. That is an abuse of institutional power, and it shows a disregard for the people, the free press, and the principles of open and free discussion of policy.” 

Oklahoma named one of finalist states for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses

The U.S. Department of Energy has selected Oklahoma and 4 other states as potential host locations for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses - "a new effort to strengthen and modernize the nation’s full nuclear fuel cycle" - narrowing the field from 26 states that applied for the project. The Department will ultimately select up to three states for the Innovation Campuses.

Joining Oklahoma are Idaho, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Utah. According to the DOE, each of the proposed campuses could bring an estimated $50B in capital investment and 25,000 jobs. Here's more on what these campuses are all about: 

The proposed campuses are designed to support activities across the full nuclear fuel lifecycle, including fuel fabrication, enrichment, reprocessing used nuclear fuel, and final disposition of used nuclear fuel. Depending on state priorities and regional capabilities, the campuses may also host advanced reactor deployment, power generation, advanced manufacturing, and co located data centers.

Below are reactions from a number of elected officials:

Mazzei endorsed by multiple state legislators, OK2A

In recent days, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei has been endorsed by a number of state legislators and local elected officials, individuals who are joining President Donald Trump and Congressman Josh Brecheen in supporting Mazzei's campaign for governor. Also endorsing Mazzei is the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association, the state's leading gun-rights group.

Oklahoma Second Amendment Association Endorses Mike Mazzei

Tulsa, OK (July 22nd) — Today, the Oklahoma Second Amendment Association announced their endorsement of conservative Republican Mike Mazzei for Governor.

“The Oklahoma Second Amendment Association Board of Directors has by a majority vote ENDORSED Mike Mazzei for Governor,” said Chairman Tom Vineyard. “Mike Mazzei has returned an OKA "A" Candidate Survey and participated at our OKA Candidate Forum for governor. He had a proven conservative voting record while he was in the Oklahoma legislature. We ask voters to support Mike Mazzei for the next governor to protect and return Second Amendment rights, and secure the liberties we so value.”

Gov. Stitt appoints James Green as DA for Pittsburg and Haskell counties

Governor Stitt Appoints James Green as District 18 Attorney for Pittsburg and Haskell Counties

OKLAHOMA CITY (July 20, 2026) - Governor Stitt announced the appointment of James Green as District Attorney for District 18, representing Pittsburg and Haskell Counties. This appointment is effective immediately.

“James' experience as acting district attorney has proven he has the leadership, judgment, and character to serve as district attorney for the citizens of District 18,” said Governor Stitt. “His eight years as a prosecutor, combined with his military service, have prepared him to uphold the rule of law in our communities. I have no doubt James will deliver justice to his district and the people of Oklahoma.”

Mazzei endorsed by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders Endorses Mike Mazzei

Tulsa, OK (July 14th) — Today, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced her endorsement of conservative Republican Mike Mazzei for Governor.

"As Governor of Arkansas, I know how important it is to have a conservative, America First partner in Oklahoma, and there is no one I'd rather work with than Mike Mazzei. Mike has a plan for Oklahoma. He will lower taxes, launch a massive statewide literacy program, and ban foreign adversaries from the state,” said Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “If we're going to continue making this region great again, it means electing conservative, America First leaders like Mike Mazzei. That's why I'm proud to join President Trump in endorsing Mike Mazzei for Governor of Oklahoma.”

Happy 250th, America!

Happy 250th birthday, America – may our people remember our founding principles and may liberty live long in our land!

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.