A $1.6 million super PAC ad blitz has turbocharged Oklahoma’s 2026 governor’s race, as “America First” rhetoric and Trump-era priorities dominate a GOP primary that’s shaping up to be more about national conservatism than Oklahoma itself.
At a Glance
- Oklahoma’s open governor’s seat draws fierce early competition, with Trump-aligned candidates leading the pack.
- A $1.6 million ad buy from a conservative super PAC signals unprecedented outside spending and an “America First” litmus test.
- Former House Speaker Charles McCall and Attorney General Gentner Drummond headline a crowded GOP field.
- Culture war issues and federal vs. state power dominate campaign messaging, echoing national conservative debates.
Trumpism and Outside Money Set the Tone for 2026
Oklahoma’s 2026 gubernatorial race isn’t just another red-state formality—it’s a national spectacle in miniature. The seat is wide open thanks to term limits, and with the state’s solid Republican majority, the GOP primary is the de facto election. Enter the Oklahoma Conservative Coalition, a super PAC that dumped $1.6 million into a statewide ad campaign for Charles McCall—months before most candidates even filed their paperwork. The message is clear: if you’re not “America First,” you’re nowhere.
The timing is no accident. This PAC—backed by national conservative groups and buoyed by a CPAC endorsement—knows Oklahoma is fertile ground for a Trump-aligned candidate who promises to “Make America Great Again” at the state level. McCall, the longest-serving House Speaker in recent memory, touts a record of tax cuts, school choice, and restrictions on transgender rights—policies that mirror the national conservative playbook. His campaign leans on close ties to both outgoing Governor Kevin Stitt and Donald Trump, pledging to continue their “war” against federal government “overreach.”
A Primary That’s a Proxy War for National Conservatism
Attorney General Gentner Drummond isn’t letting McCall take the right flank without a fight. Drummond, who launched his campaign in January, brands himself as the only candidate tough enough to stand up to Biden’s Washington, positioning himself as a defender of state sovereignty and Oklahoma’s brand of “common sense” conservatism. He’s made plenty of enemies on both sides of the aisle, clashing with Stitt over COVID-19 policy and doubling down on legal fights with the federal government.
Expect the next 11 months to be a slugfest over who’s more loyal to the “America First” cause, with both campaigns already trading barbs over ideological purity. McCall’s team attacks Drummond for donations to Democrats and what they call “soft” enforcement on transgender healthcare bans—because, apparently, even a whiff of moderation is now political poison. Drummond fires back, claiming only he has the grit to “stand strong with President Trump” when the chips are down. If you’re looking for sober policy debate, look elsewhere.
Policy? It’s All About the Culture War—Again
This race isn’t about fixing potholes or reining in government spending. It’s a contest to see who can go further on culture war issues: fighting “woke” education, banning transgender care, and pushing religious charter schools. Both frontrunners use national talking points, and the state’s real challenges—like rural economic decline, teacher shortages, and crumbling infrastructure—barely register in the campaign ads.
Outside money and national organizations are calling the shots, not Oklahoma voters. The $1.6 million ad blitz is a down payment on a campaign that will likely shatter spending records, with super PACs and national influencers eager to prove their relevance. Local concerns and moderate voices? Lost in the noise, replaced by a “who’s most conservative” shouting match that ignores the realities facing everyday Oklahomans.
