OETA debate still on; Mazzei, Munson will pre-tape before Trump rally

One of the first questions political reporters and observers had after the announcement of President Trump's October 1st rally in Durant was whether the previously scheduled OETA gubernatorial debate between Republican nominee Mike Mazzei and Democratic nominee Cyndi Munson would still take place, after it was also announced that Mazzei would be joining the president at his Midterm Rally.

The debate is still on. OETA and the candidates will be pre-taping it earlier in the day, and airing it twice over the next few days:

Mike Mazzei Agrees to October 1 OETA Debate Following Schedule Accommodation

Tulsa, OK — With President Donald Trump scheduled to visit Oklahoma on Thursday, October 1, OETA has graciously agreed to pre-tape the gubernatorial debate earlier that day, allowing the debate to move forward as planned. The debate will air Thursday, October 1, 2026, and re-air Saturday, October 3, 2026.

Rep. Gann calls for transparency, voter rights in Inola smelter dispute

Gann Calls for Transparency, Voter Rights in Inola Smelter  Dispute 

Inola, OK (Sept. 22nd) – Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, today called for full transparency surrounding the  proposed aluminum smelter at the Tulsa Port of Inola and criticized efforts by the City of Tulsa– Rogers County Port Authority to challenge a citizen-led initiative petition allowing Inola voters  to decide whether primary-aluminum smelting should be permitted in their town. 

“Oklahoma taxpayers are being asked to support a multibillion-dollar industrial project they were  never allowed to fully examine,” Gann said. “Now a public authority is preparing to use  governmental power against citizens who are asking for a vote. That is not representative  government. That is government turning its machinery on the people it is supposed to serve.” 

President Trump holding Oct. 1st Midterm Rally in Durant

President Donald Trump is coming to Oklahoma next week.

The president will be speaking at a Midterm Rally held in Durant at the Choctaw Event Center on Thursday, October 1st.

Tickets may be reserved at this link. The rally will start at 6pm, with doors opening at 2pm.

Nat'l State Auditors Association gives Oklahoma's Cindy Byrd highest possible rating

NATIONAL STATE AUDITORS ASSOCIATION GIVES CINDY BYRD HIGHEST POSSIBLE RATING

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (September 24, 2026) – The National State Auditors Association (NSAA) gave top marks to the Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector’s Office (SAI) in its External Peer Review. The review evaluates whether SAI's system of quality control is designed to meet professional standards and is effectively complying with those standards.

SAI received the highest rating possible.

“Yes, even the Auditor’s Office gets audited,” State Auditor Cindy Byrd said. “This review reflects the professionalism, integrity, and attention to detail that I expect from our entire staff. I am incredibly proud of our team and of the accountability this review represents. We hold ourselves to the same standards of transparency, oversight, and accountability that we expect from the agencies we examine. We will always safeguard taxpayer money with the same excellence that earned us this recognition.”

Rep. Gann applauds Inola trustees’ unanimous vote to extend smelter moratorium

Gann Applauds Inola Trustees’ Unanimous Vote to Extend Smelter Moratorium

INOLA, OKLAHOMA (Sept. 15th) — State Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, today praised the Inola Board of Trustees for unanimously extending the town’s moratorium concerning the proposed $4 billion aluminum smelter through April 7, 2027.

Gann said the vote represents an important exercise of local self-government and protects the right of Inola citizens to help determine the future of their own community.

Muskogee faces $29.25M judgment, weighing options on taxpayer impact

The City of Muskogee is paying the piper for some awful management decisions nearly twenty years ago. The City is about to be on the hook for over $29,000,000 in judgments on three lawsuits over derelict properties that were condemned and demolished by the city in 2007.

Apparently, multiple mayors and city councils have punted on wrapping these particular cases up, to the point that what was probably "damages" well under a million dollars have now turned into over twenty nine million dollars that Muskogee taxpayers are now somehow going to have to pay. I wonder how much of that sum is interest – and legal fees. 

The impact to Muskogee taxpayers, and property owners in particular, could be extreme. Among the options some have floated include a temporary 25% property tax hike.

Here's a letter explaining the situation from the man with the most unenviable job in town right now, City Manager Kendal Francis:

Muskogee Public Schools seeks input on proposed 2027 Bond projects

MPS Seeks Input On Proposed 2027 Bond Projects

MUSKOGEE (August 24, 2026) – Muskogee Public Schools is seeking public input from patrons as it considers projects and priorities for a proposed 2027 bond issue. The district’s Long-Range Planning Committee, composed of community members, district leadership, staff, and other stakeholders, has been intentional in considering both the district's needs and the financial impact on local taxpayers.

A community survey will be available August 24 through September 4, 2026, allowing patrons to provide feedback on potential bond priorities and help the committee determine which needs should be prioritized.  Patrons may take the community survey at https://forms.gle/cbFc7iJPeRzAhso79

Final hours: Mazzei endorsed by Markwayne Mullin, OK Freedom Caucus

In the closing hours of the Republican runoff election, gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei held a "tele-rally" with President Donald Trump. During the call, Trump announced that Oklahoma's Markwayne Mullin was joining him in endorsing Mazzei for Governor.

AG to Muskogee schools: 1st Amendment did not require canceling prayer walk

Drummond tells Muskogee schools the First Amendment did not require canceling prayer walk, offers future support

OKLAHOMA CITY (Aug. 21, 2026) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond today advised Muskogee Public Schools that it was under no constitutional obligation to cancel a community prayer walk earlier this month, and offered this Office’s assistance to any Oklahoma district that receives a similar demand.

Muskogee 6th and 7th Grade Academy had scheduled a Back to School Community Prayer Walk for the morning of August 12, the day before classes began. A Wisconsin-based advocacy organization, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, sent the district a letter the day before the event demanding its cancellation. The district canceled the walk, removed the announcements and notified parents.

In a letter to Superintendent Jarod Mendenhall, Drummond concluded that no student was required to be on campus that day, that no student faced any consequence for staying away, and that the walk was scheduled at an hour when no instructional period existed to interrupt.

2026 Runoff Election Day: Links and Resources

Tomorrow (Tuesday, August 25th) is the Oklahoma Primary Election. If you haven't voted yet either by absentee or early in-person, you will have from 7:00am to 7:00pm to cast your ballots. If you don't know where to vote, or want to see your sample ballot, use this helpful link from the Oklahoma State Election Board to find out.

Below is a brief summary of my picks on various Republican runoff races and the state questions, as well as some links to additional resources about the election and GOP candidates that you may find helpful.

My Picks for the 2026 Oklahoma Runoff and State Questions

Tuesday, August 25th is the Oklahoma Runoff Election, and voters all across the state will be heading to the polls to decide nominees in a number of statewide and local races, as well as two State Questions. Hopefully the information in this post will be helpful with your voting plans. If you don't know where to vote, or want to see your sample ballot, use this helpful link from the Oklahoma State Election Board to find out.

Below are a few of my voting picks. I have included links to additional helpful resources, endorsements, and voter guides at the bottom:

State Sen. Shane Jett endorses Mazzei for Governor

State Sen. Shane Jett, head of the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus, is backing Mike Mazzei for Governor, joining a host of other conservative legislators and activists in picking Mazzei over Drummond:

🇺🇸 JETT ENDORSES MAZZEI 🇺🇸

As one of the most conservative senators in the Oklahoma Legislature, my focus has always been representing taxpayers, not state agencies and certainly not lobbyists.

I endorse Mike Mazzei for Governor because I value integrity and put policy above… pic.twitter.com/8682HoFS10

— Shane David Jett (@shanejett) August 18, 2026