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:

STATEWIDE RACES:

Governor: Mike Mazzei. There's a reason that, almost without exception, conservative legislators and activists are supporting Mazzei (including Congressman Josh Brecheen, State Rep. Jim Shaw, State Sen. Shane Jett, former gubernatorial candidate Jake Merrick, OK2A, and more). I wouldn't trust Gentner Drummond with any office. And listen, I get that there are things about Mazzei some folks aren't happy with. Drummond would be a disaster worse than Mary Fallin. The governor has four years of appointing judges, commission and board members, state regents, and a whole host of government officials. If Drummond wins, which Drummond would we get - the Democrat donor, the guy who calls conservatives fascists in a Hillary Clinton-esque gaffe, the big-government proponent who wants to educate your newborn infants, or vote-for-me tough-guy in his campaign ads? We can't risk four years of Drummond. 

Labor Commissioner: Kevin West. State Rep. Kevin West has been a consistent conservative in the State House, and the moderate Republican candidate – State Rep. John Pfeiffer – voted for $3.7 billion in tax increases and to make it far easier for the Legislature to raise your taxes. There is no contest between the two candidates when it comes to a conservative fiscal record: West is best.

Insurance Commissioner: Marty Quinn. He is a man of sincere character and real integrity, who is motivated not to make a political name for himself but to serve his community and state. He's got loads of relevant experience (40 years as a local insurance agent, 12 years as a legislator). He knows how insurance works, as an industry veteran and as a consumer, and how the legislative process works and can be leveraged to bring about solutions to problems that consumers face. Quinn's been endorsed by Congressman Josh Brecheen, former Insurance Commissioner John Doak. His opponent has been running a sleazy and deceptive campaign (typical of the CAMP-affiliated candidate). Don't reward dirty candidates and consultants with your vote. Oklahoma needs more men of integrity in leadership like Marty Quinn. 

State Superintendent: James Taylor, hands down. He is a genuine conservative with solid Christian principles. Robert Franklin is a flaming liberal dressed in Republican clothes. He showed up to the televised primary debate with a book recommendation for older students - The Separation of Church and Hate - which is all about "reclaiming" the Bible from all those fundamentalist crazies who, you know, actually believe the Bible. Yeah, no thanks.

State Question 844: vote Yes. I really lean on Michael Bates with this one, as he has a lengthy and worthwhile post on the matter here. He starts off with this pithy truism: "When a statutory matter gets written into the State Constitution, amending it is a pain in the ballot." This state question would give the Legislature some flexibility in handling reimbursements to local jurisdictions for property tax exemptions (primarily for manufacturing facilities). This is a bit of a complicated measure (and thus not likely to pass), but the fact that the leftist education union is screaming about it makes me think that Yes is best. Former State Rep. Jason Murphey takes an opposing view that's also worth reading.

State Question 846: vote Yes. This would add a voter ID requirement to the Oklahoma Constitution. The Legislature is required to "enact laws to specify requirements for proof of identity for voting", which leaves some flexibility. 

OTHER REPUBLICAN RACES:

State Senate District 17: Justin Wood.
State Senate District 18: incumbent Sen. Jack Stewart.
State Senate District 26: since Jessica Winegeart supports abortion and was upset by the overturning of Roe v. Wade, that leaves Rick Koch as the only other option.
State Senate District 32: Jean Hausheer; the other candidate is controlled by big-money Gene Stipe wannabes.
State Senate District 34: incumbent Sen. Dana Prieto, one of the core Senate conservatives. He should be reelected.

State House District 18: incumbent Rep. David Smith. 

Muskogee County Assessor: I think Reyna Benavides appears to be the best qualified of the two candidates and I believe would do a good job leading the office. The good ol' boys club of former Democrats who like to think they run the county seem lined up behind the other candidate.

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Michael Bates' picks at BatesLine.com (highly recommend)
• iVoterGuide (a great resource)
• Oklahoma 2nd Amendment Association (OK2A) endorsements
• Make Oklahoma Health Again (formerly Oklahomans for Health & Parental Rights) endorsements
• Tulsa Beacon endorsements
• Charlies Meadows' election picks
• National Rifle Association (NRA) endorsements