Mazzei's Millions: nears $11M in personal campaign loans

Prepare to be flabbergasted. We have a new state record for most personal money loaned by a candidate to his own political campaign:

Mike Mazzei has loaned his campaign nearly 11 million dollars.

$11,000,000.00.

Eleven million dollars.

That is more any candidate has ever personally loaned his campaign during one election cycle in Oklahoma history. Governor Kevin Stitt loaned his 2018 campaign ~$5M, and another ~$2M in 2022, for a cumulative total of $7M. That seems to be the previous record. Combined with his 2018 loans, Stitt raised another $5M+ for a full total of $10.8M, another record at the time. Mazzei smashed both in just a few months with his personal bankrolling.

McCall's $5.6M loan is nothing to sneeze at, also one of the top in history, but Mazzei's millions blow that away.

Wow.

New post-Trump endorsement poll: Mazzei on top of Gov race, Merrick into 3rd

The first publicly-released opinion poll since President Donald Trump endorsed Republican candidate Mike Mazzei finds the former state senator (unsurprisingly) taking the lead, with Attorney General Gentner Drummond falling into second, and perhaps more surprisingly, former state senator Jake Merrick jumping into third over significantly more well-funded candidates, albeit a somewhat distant third. The same poll finds U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern with a massive lead in the race for U.S. Senate.

Here are the results from JMC Analytics:

Candidate filing concludes - with some surprises

Candidate filing for 2026 statewide, legislative, and judicial offices concluded yesterday, and boy were there some surprises.

First up, the official press release from the Oklahoma State Election Board, then a quick recap on the filing news:

Statement from Paul Ziriax, Secretary of the State Election Board RE: 2026 Candidate Filing 

Oklahoma City, April 3rd — The 2026 Candidate Filing Period closed today – April 3, 2026 – at 5:00 p.m. The Secretary of the State Election Board announced that a total of 611 candidates filed for state, federal, legislative, or judicial office, making the 2026 Candidate Filing Period the second largest candidate filing period in the past 25 years. The largest occurred in 2018 when a total of 794 candidates filed for office.

Keating pledges to name something after Trump if elected Governor

We have officially entered the "I will name something after President Trump in order to more shamelessly pander for his endorsement than my opponents" phase of the 2026 Republican primary for Governor...

Chip Keating Announces Plan to Launch the Trump National Laboratory for Energy and National Security

OKLAHOMA CITY (February 19th) - Chip Keating today announced a cornerstone initiative of his administration: the creation of the Oklahoma headquartered Trump National Laboratory for Energy and National Security.

Keating unveiled the proposal as part of a broader vision to secure Oklahoma's long-term economic leadership, strengthen national security, and ensure companies built in Oklahoma continue to grow and remain in the state.

Keating raises $3.1M since October for Gov race, including $2M personal loan

We thought that the 2018 GOP gubernatorial primary was expensive. Just wait for the final total on the 2026 primary when all is said and done!

Keating Campaign Announces $3.1 Million Raised Since Launch

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 30th) - Chip Keating’s campaign for Oklahoma Governor announced a historic fundraising start today, reporting $3.1 million raised since launching in October, including $1.1 million from individual donors and a $2 million personal investment from Keating. The campaign has $2.6 million cash on hand at the end of the fourth quarter.

Chip Keating releases campaign launch video: "Oklahoma is at a crossroads"

McCall, Drummond, Mazzei, Merrick, and now Keating... this GOP gubernatorial field is getting more crowded and interesting as we draw closer to the end of the year. The real campaigning will intensify in the early months of 2026 leading up to the June 16th primary election.

Chip Keating Launches Campaign Announcement Video: “Oklahoma is at a Crossroads”

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 28th) - Conservative businessman, former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper, and former Secretary of Public Safety Chip Keating today released his official campaign announcement video, “Oklahoma is at a Crossroads.”

In the video, Keating calls for bold, conservative leadership to protect Oklahoma families, strengthen the state’s economy, and defend Oklahoma values against the radical left and career politicians.

Chip Keating jumps into race for Governor

The 2026 campaign for Oklahoma Governor is about to get a lot more interesting. Joining heavyweight candidates like Attorney General Center Drummond, former House Speaker Charles McCall, and former State Senator Mike Mazzei, we now have Chip Keating - the son of a former governor and himself a former Secretary Public Safety.

Chip Keating Enters Race for Governor of Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY - Chip Keating, a former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper, Secretary of Public Safety, and independent businessman, entered the race today for governor of Oklahoma. Keating enters the Republican primary promising to take on the threats facing Oklahoma families, crack down on crime, grow Oklahoma’s economy, and work with President Trump to make Oklahoma a leader in the America First agenda.

Poll finds tie race between Drummond and McCall in GOP primary for Governor

A new poll from the McCall campaign shows a much tighter GOP gubernatorial primary than previous surveys have shown - within the margin of error - reflecting the recent ad blitz by McCall's side after early ads came primarily from the Gentner Drummond campaign.

Buckle up, it's going to be a wild ride between now and June 16th.

New Poll Shows Oklahoma Governor’s Race a
Dead Heat: McCall Surges as Drummond Falters

Oklahoma City, OK (Sept. 29th) — A new survey of likely Republican primary voters shows the Oklahoma governor’s race has shifted dramatically, with Charles McCall surging into a dead heat with Gentner Drummond.

The Stratus Intelligence poll, conducted September 23–25 among 837 likely GOP primary voters, found:

Governor Stitt issues Executive Order to protect first responders

Governor Stitt issues Executive Order 2020-13 to protect first responders

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 8, 2020) – Governor Kevin Stitt issued [EO]Executive Order 2020-13, ensuring first responders such as correctional officers, law enforcement and fire personnel who work for state agencies will receive guaranteed paid time off if they contract COVID-19.

“Our first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect their fellow Oklahomans,” said Gov. Kevin Stitt. “There’s no opportunity to work from home in these jobs, so they need our support. I also encourage cities and counties across the state to provide the same benefits to their first responders.”

“I commend Governor Stitt’s quick action in addressing the needs of our first responders,” said Secretary of Public Safety Chip Keating. “Our first responders personify the Oklahoma Standard through their courage and compassion during this unprecedented crisis.”

Executive Order 2020-13 also does the following:

• Removes barriers that will allow more medical professionals to be on the front lines by encouraging licensing boards to ease requirements on physician assistants, nurse practitioners and retired physicians.
• Encourages the boards to increase opportunities for students and recent graduates who are not yet fully licensed to practice.
• Allows closed health care facilities to be re-opened and remove regulatory burdens that would create lag time in getting bed space to treat patients.
• Allows stretcher vans and stretcher aid vans to assist with emergencies and operate anywhere in the state.

“It is very important to me to break down the geographic silos that limit stretcher vans from operating anywhere in the state,” said Gov. Stitt. “Right now, ambulances and stretcher vans are limited by arbitrary geographic and population-based limits that do nothing but limit the services people in rural Oklahoma can receive. Now is not the time for burdensome regulations.”

RESTORE Task Force issues summary report on criminal justice reform

RESTORE TASK FORCE ISSUES SUMMARY REPORT

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 10, 2020)— Governor Kevin Stitt today received the initial summary report from the Reentry, Supervision, Treatment and Opportunity Reform (RESTORE) Task Force chaired by Secretary of Public Safety Chip Keating and Deputy Secretary Tricia Everest. 

The report highlights the proposals formed by the RESTORE Task Force Committee members, who conducted in-depth interviews and meetings with key stakeholders across the state over the course of six months.  A copy of the full report can be found here.

“I commend the governor’s vision and dedication to criminal justice reform in Oklahoma,” said Tricia Everest, ex-officio chair of the RESTORE Task Force. “The criminal justice system effects all aspects of the State and without proper comprehensive changes, Oklahoma will not improve incarceration rates, public safety, health ratings and the workforce. This first phase of effort brought together agencies from all branches of government, victim and survivor representation, and Oklahomans with personal knowledge of the system and diversion options. Criminal justice reform is cultural community reform and we have intertwined  the lifespan of those incarcerated to understand how we can prevent, train, treat and reduce barriers to creating competent citizens.”

“While far more work remains to be completed, we are pleased to submit this initial report of the RESTORE Task Force,” said Secretary of Public Safety Chip Keating. “The cooperation, dedication and hard work of the members of the Task Force and its committees has been inspiring. They are proof that knowledgeable, passionate people from seemingly very different and opposing positions can, when given the opportunity, work together as Oklahomans first to find solutions to complex problems.”

In the report, the RESTORE Task Force made the following recommendations:

1. Recommended comprehensive reform of Oklahoma’s criminal code, a feat which has not been undertaken since the mid-1990s. The RESTORE Task Force requested a one-year extension to work in partnership with the Criminal Justice Reclassification Coordination Council to finalize the sentencing reform recommendations for the governor and the Legislature.
2. Recommended the state consider bail reform based on the positive outcomes being realized in the pilot programs in a number of Oklahoma counties, to include public-private partnerships.
3. Recommended a strategic focus on changing culture inside the prison facilities, requesting the Department of Corrections to create a “Chief Culture Officer” position inside the agency, sustain the recent re-entry fair initiative for inmates preparing their departure from prison, and pursue a partnership with a seminary to expand educational opportunities to inmates.
4. Recommended the Department of Corrections pursue and invest in pilots using technology to connect individuals with mental health professionals, supervision and probations services.

“I appreciate the RESTORE Task Force for their dogged commitment to dive into these important issues and develop ideas on how our state can continue to make progress on criminal justice reform,” said Gov. Stitt. “From this report, two things are abundantly clear. First, we must continue to focus on cultural change in the prisons, where state government is viewing an inmate as a person, and creating a plan to ensure they return as a productive and contributing member of our society. Second, we must implement bold reforms to our criminal code in order to provide more clarity around sentencing. I am committed to taking the necessary steps to move the needle and implement these reforms during my time in office.”

In May of 2019, Governor Kevin Stitt issued Executive Order 2019-22 to form the Criminal Justice Reentry, Supervision, Treatment and Opportunity Reform (RESTORE) Task Force.

The RESTORE Task Force was instructed to submit, by January 10, 2020, criminal justice reform recommendations for consideration during the 2020 Legislative session. The Executive Order specifically called for the task force to look at how to reduce Oklahoma’s incarceration rate, reduce the recidivism rate, and enhance and establish diversion programs. The Task Force worked in collaboration with the Criminal Justice Reclassification Coordination Council currently preparing a report to modernize and classify the criminal code, which will set the stage for additional sentencing reform and bail bond reform.

EO 2019-22 can be read by clicking here.

Stitt appoints Sec. of Public Safety, Sec. of Veteran Affair & Military

GOVERNOR STITT ANNOUNCES SECRETARY OF PUBLIC SAFETY, SECRETARY OF VETERAN AFFAIRS AND MILITARY

Oklahoma City, Okla. (February 21, 2019) – Governor Kevin Stitt announced today the appointment of two new cabinet members, Chip Keating as the Secretary of Public Safety and Brian Brurud as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Military. Both cabinet members will serve in an unpaid capacity and both positions require Senate confirmation.

“Chip Keating is a strong advocate for Oklahoma’s public safety professionals. His business acumen will bring a fresh set of eyes to help strengthen the state’s law enforcement services while also giving an important focus on reforming our criminal justice system,” said Stitt. “As a former Navy fighter pilot, an entrepreneur, and an Oklahoman, Brian Brurud will do an outstanding job building community support around our five military installations and working to deliver strong oversight of the VA and better services for our state’s veterans. I appreciate both Chip and Brian’s passion to serve their state for a season, and I know they will be an effective part of delivering our shared vision for a Top Ten state.”

Anthony Francis “Chip” Keating III, 39, has been a principal with Keating Investments, a real estate and oil and gas investment company, since March 2010. Keating served as an Oklahoma State Trooper from May 2001 to August 2004 and is a Director and Gubernatorial appointee of the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System. He currently serves as a board member and immediate past president of The Children’s Hospital Foundation, Secretary of University Hospitals Authority Trust appointed by the Pro Temp of the Oklahoma State Senate and a director of OU Medicine, Inc. Mr. Keating holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Southern Methodist University.

“Chip Keating is a former OHP Trooper and today is a very successful businessman who continues to volunteer his time and personal resources in support of law enforcement and public safety.  Governor Stitt has made the perfect choice for Secretary of Public Safety. Chip Keating has spent his life preparing himself for this important duty.” – Chief Justice Steven Taylor, Supreme Court of Oklahoma (Ret.)

“Governor Stitt has again shown his dedication to moving this State forward in an innovative and progressive way in his naming of Chip Keating as the Cabinet Secretary of Public Safety. Having served Oklahoma proudly as a State Trooper, Chip was highly respected by both those he served with and by those he served. Chip has gone on to continue his desire to serve his fellow man as a successful and philanthropic business owner. Chip's in depth knowledge of public safety and his business acumen are certain to make him a valuable asset to Governor Stitt's administration, Oklahoma public safety agencies, and the citizens of the Great State of Oklahoma. I'm honored to have the opportunity to work closely with a man of Chip Keating's, honor, honesty, integrity  character.” – Commissioner Rusty Rhoades, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety

“Governor Stitt has once again proven Oklahoma's turn around begins now with his nomination of Chip Keating as Cabinet Secretary for Public Safety. Chip, having served as a State Trooper and a successful businessman, is the ideal candidate to blend the complex issues revolving around Public Safety and Criminal Justice. The timing is ideal to make great changes, with the chambers and all factions coming together to prioritize raising Oklahoma to the top of the right lists.” –Tricia Everest, Inasmuch Foundation

"As a former Cabinet Secretary for Public Safety, it is with great pleasure that I support Chip Keating's nomination for the position of Cabinet Secretary for Public Safety.  I had the privilege of hiring Mr. Keating as an Oklahoma State Trooper in 2001 and was able to observe him grow in maturity and ability. Now successful in private business, he will bring expertise from the public safety community and the business community which will greatly enhance Governor Stitt's efforts to make Oklahoma a Top Ten state." –Bob A. Ricks, former Oklahoma Secretary for Public Safety 

Brian Brurud is a former commercial airline pilot who currently serves as the CEO of Check-6 Inc, a global performance leadership consultancy comprised exclusively of carrier fighter pilots, Special-Operations operatives, and Astronauts. Prior to this, Brurud served 21 years as a fighter pilot for the Navy and Air National Guard, flying F-14, F/A-18, and F-16 aircraft. As one of the most decorated US Naval Fighter Pilots since the Vietnam War, Brurud has extensive experience in the US Military and the private business sectors. He was instrumental in bringing US Naval Carrier Aviation into the 21st Century; authoring numerous classified tactical publications and developing culture changing training systems, and tactics. For his combat actions, he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and numerous Air Medals. Brurud holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Oklahoma State University.

“Brian Brurud will do an outstanding job as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Military. He is a patriot and he understands the needs and issues of our veterans in Oklahoma. He will go above and beyond to ensure our veteran's needs are addressed and taken care of and he will be a champion for Oklahoma's military and the men and women who serve our state and country.” – Earl Sears, Bartlesville City Council member and former member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives