In a nail-biting runoff election tainted by contentious exchanges, a gubernatorial hopeful in Oklahoma, backed by Donald Trump, managed to secure his position.
Former Oklahoma State Senator and Budget Secretary, Mike Mazzei, clinched the Republican nomination on Tuesday night, triumphing over Gentner Drummond, Oklahoma’s Attorney General, in a particularly heated contest.
Characterized by aggressive personal criticisms, substantial financial expenditures, and a stormy argument concerning candidates’ health and drug tests, this Midwestern election unfolded dramatically.
Mazzei’s triumph was razor-thin, managing to outpace Drummond by less than one percentage point.
This victory further tests Trump’s influence over Republican primaries, especially in gubernatorial races, where his endorsements have not been as dominant as in Senate and House elections.
The president endorsed Mazzei ahead of the June primary and repeatedly returned to the race in the weeks before the runoff, attacking Drummond and urging Oklahoma Republicans to back his preferred candidate.
What began as a conventional Republican primary quickly descended into one of the nastier campaigns of the election cycle.
The candidates clashed over their records, their relationship with Trump and, in the final weeks, their health.
Following a debate discussion regarding candidate health and stamina, Drummond voluntarily released his health records and a negative drug test, then challenged Mazzei to do the same.
President Trump endorsed Mike Mazzei ahead of the June primary and repeatedly returned to the race in the weeks before the runoff, attacking Gentner Drummond and urging Oklahoma Republicans to back his preferred candidate
Mazzei ultimately outspent Drummond overall, with approximately $12.3 million spent across the primary and runoff compared with Drummond’s $9.1 million
Drummond argued that Mazzei’s drug test was not sufficient because it could not detect substances over a longer period. The dispute gained added significance following Mazzei’s serious 2008 car accident, though Mazzei has denied currently relying on pain medication
Drummond released financial and health records as he sought to demonstrate his fitness for office. He also released the results of a drug test, saying the test showed he was not taking any notable medications.
Mazzei responded with a clean drug test of his own.
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But Drummond argued that Mazzei’s test did not go far enough because it did not use a testing method capable of detecting substances over a longer period.
The dispute carried added significance because Mazzei survived a serious car accident in 2008 and was prescribed pain medication afterward.
Mazzei has denied that he currently relies on pain medication and said he stopped taking it in early 2009.
The health controversy became an extraordinary feature of a governor’s race that had already been saturated with television advertising and personal attacks.
The race was also a spectacular money battle.
Mazzei largely financed his own campaign, loaning it an Oklahoma-record $11.6 million.
Drummond put $3 million of his own money into his campaign while attracting substantially more from donors.
Mazzei ultimately outspent Drummond overall, with approximately $12.3 million spent across the primary and runoff compared with Drummond’s $9.1 million.
Outside groups piled on as well.
Nearly $13 million was spent by outside organizations on the gubernatorial runoff since July 1.
The Club for Growth affiliate School Freedom Fund spent more than $3 million attacking Drummond, accusing the attorney general of refusing to defend Trump against impeachment.
An opposing super PAC, Put Oklahoma 1st, spent close to $3 million targeting Mazzei and accusing him of previously supporting tax increases.
The result was a campaign in which the candidates were barely able to breathe between waves of television advertisements, accusations and counterattacks.