{"id":2648949,"date":"2026-08-24T14:47:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T18:47:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/oklahoma-primary-sets-maga-candidate-against-anti-tariff-conservative\/"},"modified":"2026-08-24T14:49:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T18:49:34","slug":"oklahoma-primary-sets-maga-candidate-against-anti-tariff-conservative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/oklahoma-primary-sets-maga-candidate-against-anti-tariff-conservative\/","title":{"rendered":"Oklahoma primary sets MAGA candidate against anti-tariff conservative"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Foklahoma-primary-sets-maga-candidate-against-anti-tariff-conservative%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2648949&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Oklahoma voters are participating in a Republican primary runoff for the state&#8217;s gubernatorial race. The candidates are Mike Mazzei, a Trump-backed conservative emphasizing education reform and tax cuts, and Gentner Drummond, the attorney General, who is less known nationally but has opposed Trump&#8217;s tariff policies. Stitt,the outgoing governor,endorsed Mazzei,though polls indicate a close contest. Mazzei has aligned himself with Trump&#8217;s MAGA movement and will have a tele-rally with Trump. Conversely, Drummond has voiced opposition to tariffs, especially on beef, which has garnered him both support from ranchers and criticism from Trump. Trump has publicly attacked Drummond, calling him a \u201cFAKE\u201d Republican and a \u201cRINO,\u201d due to disagreements over policies and his campaign donations to Biden.Despite the rivalry, Drummond maintains he supports many of Trump\u2019s policies and has a record of successfully challenging federal administrations. The runoff remains highly competitive, with both candidates seeking to succeed term-limited Governor Kevin stitt.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/oklahoma\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"715\">Oklahoma<\/a> voters are heading to the polls Tuesday for the state\u2019s gubernatorial Republican primary runoff, as President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a>-backed Mike Mazzei takes on Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who has spoken out against the president\u2019s tariff agenda.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mazzei finished less than 1 percentage point behind Drummond in the June primary as both candidates seek to succeed Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kevin-stitt\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"11315\">Kevin Stitt<\/a> (R-OK), who is term-limited. Stitt has endorsed Mazzei in the runoff, but endorsements seem to carry little weight as<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/chs-inc.com\/drummond-mazzei-tie\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/chs-inc.com\/drummond-mazzei-tie\/\"> polls show<\/a> the two candidates in a dead heat.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4698304\/oklahoma-primary-sets-maga-candidate-against-anti-tariff-conservative\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Oklahoma primary sets MAGA candidate against anti-tariff conservative<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4698062\/steve-hilton-catches-xavier-becerra-race-california-governor-poll\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Steve Hilton catches up to Xavier Becerra in race for California governor: Poll<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/technology\/4696354\/shapiro-website-complain-data-center-construction\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Shapiro launches website for citizens to complain about data center construction<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the weeks leading up to the runoff, Mazzei has sought to define himself as aligned with Trump\u2019s Make America Great Again movement, focused on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/education\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"8759\">education<\/a> reform and a wide range of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tax\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"536\">tax<\/a> cuts. Trump is set to join Mazzei, whom he has called a \u201cMAGA warrior,\u201d in a tele-rally on Monday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe have a clear mission: cut taxes, fix our schools, protect Oklahoma land, defend our freedoms, and bring accountability back to state government,\u201d Mazzei said in an X post promoting the tele-rally.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Drummond, on the other hand, holds the edge over Mazzei when it comes to name recognition in the state, but has made himself an enemy of Trump for speaking out against <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tariffs\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"584\">tariffs<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI do think the majority of Oklahomans would agree that the tariffs are too far, that importing cheap beef only injures Oklahoma\u2019s cattleman, ranchers, and farmers,\u201d Drummond told <em>News Nation<\/em> over the weekend while discussing Trump\u2019s plan to temporarily ease <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tariffs\/\">tariffs<\/a> on beef imports in an effort to bring prices down.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump\u2019s plan has met backlash from other Republicans, such as Montana lawmakers Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/author\/sen-tim-sheehy\/\">Tim Sheehy<\/a> (R-MT) and Rep. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/author\/rep-troy-downing\/\">Troy Downing<\/a> (R-MT), who said efforts to lower costs for families should not be done at the expense of farmers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Drummond\u2019s opinion on tariffs aligns with that of many ranchers, and he is looking for their support as a rancher himself.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The attorney general hasn\u2019t branded himself as against Trump\u2019s policies, but said he won\u2019t shy away from disagreeing with the president when he feels the policies hurt Oklahomans. As attorney general, Drummond has filed a lawsuit to block a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >planned aluminum smelter backed<\/a> by Trump.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The president has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/117116197583802302\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/117116197583802302\">blasted Drummond<\/a>, calling him a \u201cFAKE\u201d Republican, noting his opposition to the aluminum smelter and a campaign donation to former President Joe Biden\u2019s 2020 presidential campaign. Mazzei has echoed the president\u2019s sentiments, calling Drummond a \u201cRINO,\u201d meaning Republican in name only.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/finance-and-economy\/4696341\/tim-sheehy-troy-downing-trump-lower-beef-price\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/finance-and-economy\/4696341\/tim-sheehy-troy-downing-trump-lower-beef-price\/\">MONTANA REPUBLICANS SPEAK OUT AGAINST TRUMP\u2019S PLAN TO LOWER BEEF PRICES: \u2018HARM OUR RANCHING FAMILIES\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, Drummond said he has let Trump\u2019s criticism roll off, emphasizing there are many areas the two agree on.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI sued, successfully, President Biden\u2019s administration 17 times and won. I have stood with President Trump in every issue,\u201d he told <em>News Nation<\/em>. \u201cAs a matter of fact, he\u2019s had me into the White House twice in the last four months.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Oklahoma GOP runoff: Mazzei vs. Drummond over tariffs<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2648950,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP20132835851255.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[52696,5656,12474,5894,4909],"class_list":["post-2648949","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-anti-tariff","tag-maga","tag-oklahoma","tag-politics","tag-primary"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP20132835851255.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2648949","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2648949"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2648949\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2648953,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2648949\/revisions\/2648953"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2648950"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2648949"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2648949"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2648949"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}