--- title: "Trump backs Mazzei in Oklahoma governor runoff against Drummond" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-backs-mazzei-in-oklahoma-governor-runoff-against-drummond" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/trump-backs-mazzei-in-oklahoma-governor-runoff-against-drummond" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-backs-mazzei-in-oklahoma-governor-runoff-against-drummond.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/trump-backs-mazzei-in-oklahoma-governor-runoff-against-drummond" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-08-25T19:45:35.941Z" source_reported: "2026-08-25T05:32:19.000Z" updated: "2026-08-25T19:45:35.941Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 60 hype_score: 15 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-25T21:42:36.978Z" --- # Trump backs Mazzei in Oklahoma governor runoff against Drummond *Businessman Mike Mazzei seeks Republican nomination with Donald Trump's endorsement, facing state AG Gentner Drummond.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Two full reports and 17 digests provide corroboration, with claims attributed to named individuals and campaign finance records. - Craft 60 of 100, higher is better. Reporting includes quotes from candidates and Trump, details election context, and separates fact from comment. - Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Headlines are factual and do not overstate the content of the articles. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Businessman Mike Mazzei is seeking the Republican nomination for Oklahoma governor in a runoff election. - President Donald Trump has endorsed Mazzei and criticized his rival, state Attorney General Gentner Drummond. - Drummond received slightly more votes than Mazzei in the initial June 16 election, with both candidates securing approximately 26% of the vote. - The winner of the runoff will advance to face Democrat Cyndi Munson in the general election. Tulsa businessman Mike Mazzei is competing in a Republican primary runoff election for Oklahoma governor. He is backed by an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, who has also criticized Mazzei's opponent, state Attorney General Gentner Drummond. The race is for the nomination to succeed term-limited Republican Governor Kevin Stitt. In the initial vote on June 16, Drummond secured a slight lead over Mazzei. Both candidates received approximately 26% of the vote, with Drummond ahead by about 1,100 ballots out of more than 403,000 cast. The winner of the runoff will face Democrat Cyndi Munson in the general election. Republicans are considered favored to win the governorship, which has not been held by a Democrat since 2006. ## Campaign funding and consulting Drummond has raised approximately $4.8 million more in cash contributions than Mazzei. Mazzei has primarily funded his campaign through personal loans totaling at least $11.9 million. Drummond has loaned his campaign at least $3.5 million. Mazzei's campaign paid $67,500 to a consulting firm operated by Roger Stone, a longtime Trump associate. Drummond has suggested this payment influenced Trump's endorsement. ## Trump's involvement Trump has publicly endorsed Mazzei multiple times, including on his Truth Social platform. He has referred to Drummond as a "FAKE Republican" and criticized Drummond for his past statements regarding Trump's impeachment. Trump stated that Drummond "does not stand for the values of Oklahoma" and would be "a disaster." ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mention the amount of personal loans Mazzei has made to his campaign, which totals at least $11.9 million. The right-rated digests also do not mention the $4.8 million difference in cash contributions raised by Drummond compared to Mazzei. ## Who covered it Shares of the 19 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 47% (9) - Centre: 42% (8) - Right: 11% (2) 1 of 20 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-25T21:42:36.978Z. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 8 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-25T21:45:29.308Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Nine left-rated reports stated that businessman Mike Mazzei is seeking the Republican nomination for Oklahoma governor with Donald Trump's endorsement. These reports noted that Trump sharply attacked Mazzei's rival, state Attorney General Gentner Drummond, and called him a "FAKE Republican." The digests mentioned that Drummond finished first in the initial vote but that both he and Mazzei received about 26% of the vote. They also stated the winner will face Democrat Cyndi Munson. The Associated Press and The Toronto Star digests noted Trump's criticism of Drummond regarding his stance on Trump's impeachment after the January 6 attack. The Associated Press and The Hamilton Spectator digests mentioned Mazzei's campaign paid $67,500 to a consulting firm operated by Roger Stone. The Associated Press and The Record digests included Drummond's statement that he respects Trump and called him a "great leader." ### Centre - Seven centre-rated reports highlighted that businessman Mike Mazzei is in a runoff for the Oklahoma Republican gubernatorial nomination, with President Donald Trump's endorsement. These reports indicated Trump also attacked Mazzei's opponent, state Attorney General Gentner Drummond. The digests noted Drummond finished first in the initial vote, with both candidates receiving approximately 26% of the vote. They also stated the winner will face Democrat Cyndi Munson. My Mother Lode and Ottumwa Courier digests mentioned that Trump called Drummond a "FAKE Republican." My Mother Lode and Yankton Press & Dakotan digests included Trump's criticism of Drummond's stance on Trump's impeachment. My Mother Lode and Joplin Globe digests noted Mazzei's campaign paid $67,500 to a consulting firm operated by Roger Stone. The Oklahoman digest reported that the Oklahoma Republican Party State Committee endorsed Mike Mazzei for governor ahead of the runoff. ### Right - Two right-rated reports stated that businessman Mike Mazzei is seeking the Republican nomination for Oklahoma governor with Donald Trump's endorsement. These reports noted that Trump attacked Mazzei's rival, state Attorney General Gentner Drummond. The digests mentioned that Drummond finished first in the initial vote, with both candidates receiving approximately 26% of the vote. They also stated the winner will face Democrat Cyndi Munson. The Batesville Daily Guard digest mentioned that Trump endorsed Mazzei and sharply attacked Drummond. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - high: 15 - unknown: 1 - veryHigh: 4 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [KTBS](https://ktbs.com/news/arklatex-politics/oklahoma-primary-runoff-features-key-republican-governor-race/article_d30bc995-ac95-4bd4-9eda-1548df71bf74.html) — Oklahoma primary runoff features key Republican governor race - [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/news/national/general-election/11091541/trump-backed-businessman-mike-mazzei-looks-to-secure-gop-nomination-for-oklahoma-governor.html) — Trump-backed businessman Mike Mazzei looks to secure GOP nomination for Oklahoma governor - [regionalmedianews.com](https://regionalmedianews.com/news/national/politics/trump-backed-businessman-mike-mazzei-looks-to-secure-gop-nomination-for-oklahoma-governor) — Trump-backed businessman Mike Mazzei looks to secure GOP nomination for Oklahoma governor - Regional Media News - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/united-states/trump-backed-businessman-mike-mazzei-looks-to-secure-gop-nomination-for-oklahoma-governor/article_a5a7f13b-3c95-5f2a-bb5b-5a95438f9077.html) — Trump-backed businessman Mike Mazzei looks to secure GOP nomination for Oklahoma governor - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/trump-backed-businessman-mike-mazzei-looks-to-secure-gop-nomination-for-oklahoma-governor) — Trump-backed businessman Mike Mazzei looks to secure GOP nomination for Oklahoma governor - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/oklahoma-governor-republican-runoff-trump-0d68fdd148f38abb1d3a833d10c69c3b) — Trump-backed businessman Mike Mazzei looks to secure GOP nomination for Oklahoma governor - [Ottumwa Courier](https://ottumwacourier.com/news/national_news/trump-backed-businessman-mike-mazzei-looks-to-secure-gop-nomination-for-oklahoma-governor/article_e17ba9fd-d2f1-5ebd-8010-a2a2ba7fffbd.html) — Trump-backed businessman Mike Mazzei looks to secure GOP nomination for Oklahoma governor - [KTEN](https://kten.com/news/oklahoma-headlines/trump-backed-businessman-mike-mazzei-looks-to-secure-gop-nomination-for-oklahoma-governor/article_512376f3-ca4c-5ed3-a9f7-8da41c4441a8.html) — Trump-backed businessman Mike Mazzei looks to secure GOP nomination for Oklahoma governor - [Yankton Press & Dakotan](https://yankton.net/news/national_ap/article_109246ef-f8c7-5bae-a7b0-772f62f902d5.html) — Trump-backed businessman Mike Mazzei looks to secure GOP nomination for Oklahoma governor - [McAlester News-Capital](https://mcalesternews.com/region/trump-backed-businessman-mike-mazzei-looks-to-secure-gop-nomination-for-oklahoma-governor/article_8a74ed22-0d2f-58a8-86dc-c9fbeb133e83.html) — Trump-backed businessman Mike Mazzei looks to secure GOP nomination for Oklahoma governor - [Joplin Globe](https://joplinglobe.com/region/trump-backed-businessman-mike-mazzei-looks-to-secure-gop-nomination-for-oklahoma-governor/article_06613283-f828-524c-8937-72e71520a635.html) — Trump-backed businessman Mike Mazzei looks to secure GOP nomination for Oklahoma governor - [The Batesville Daily Guard](https://guardonline.com/news/national/trump-backed-businessman-mike-mazzei-looks-to-secure-gop-nomination-for-oklahoma-governor/article_050a07c5-f1e6-5dc9-b77f-b3e33c1f422a.html) — Trump-backed businessman Mike Mazzei looks to secure GOP nomination for Oklahoma governor - [The Lawton Constitution](https://swoknews.com/ap/national/trump-backed-businessman-mike-mazzei-looks-to-secure-gop-nomination-for-oklahoma-governor/article_4366e326-b662-50b6-ba77-51cf48d2056d.html) — Trump-backed businessman Mike Mazzei looks to secure GOP nomination for Oklahoma governor - [abc News](https://abcnews.com/Politics/wireStory/trump-backed-businessman-mike-mazzei-secure-gop-nomination-135925334) — Trump-backed businessman Mike Mazzei looks to secure GOP nomination for Oklahoma governor - [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/news/world/united-states/trump-backed-businessman-mike-mazzei-looks-to-secure-gop-nomination-for-oklahoma-governor/article_ba9ff830-2e42-5cc3-a089-ec635350c094.html) — Trump-backed businessman Mike Mazzei looks to secure GOP nomination for Oklahoma governor - [The Record](https://therecord.com/news/world/united-states/trump-backed-businessman-mike-mazzei-looks-to-secure-gop-nomination-for-oklahoma-governor/article_e5cfbb17-19d7-5516-a3c9-065bfdf094fd.html) — Trump-backed businessman Mike Mazzei looks to secure GOP nomination for Oklahoma governor - [WellandTribune.ca](https://wellandtribune.ca/news/world/united-states/trump-backed-businessman-mike-mazzei-looks-to-secure-gop-nomination-for-oklahoma-governor/article_26187424-e1e3-5c95-acbe-cabb072b84aa.html) — Trump-backed businessman Mike Mazzei looks to secure GOP nomination for Oklahoma governor - [USA Today](https://usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/08/24/who-did-trump-endorse-in-oklahoma-governor-election-notable-endorsements/91443899007) — Who did Trump endorse in Oklahoma's governor race? See notable endorsements - [Oklahoman](https://oklahoman.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/08/24/oklahoma-runoffs-2026-governor-gop-state-committee-backs-mike-mazzei/91439442007) — Oklahoma GOP state committee backs Mike Mazzei for governor - [NonDoc](https://nondoc.com/2026/08/24/mum-on-loan-details-mike-mazzei-touts-tax-plan-trump-support-in-gop-runoff) — 'Policy, personality, politics': Mum on loan details, Mike Mazzei touts tax plan, Trump support in GOP runoff ## Questions **Who is running in the Oklahoma governor runoff election?** Businessman Mike Mazzei is seeking the Republican nomination for Oklahoma governor in a runoff election. His opponent is state Attorney General Gentner Drummond. The winner will face Democrat Cyndi Munson in the general election. **What role has Donald Trump played in the election?** Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Mike Mazzei and sharply criticized his rival, Gentner Drummond. Trump has used his Truth Social platform to reaffirm his support for Mazzei and has called Drummond a "FAKE Republican." **How did the candidates perform in the initial vote?** Gentner Drummond finished first in the initial June 16 vote, with both he and Mike Mazzei receiving approximately 26% of the vote. Drummond led Mazzei by about 1,100 ballots out of more than 403,000 cast. **How are the campaigns funded?** Gentner Drummond has raised about $4.8 million more in cash contributions than Mike Mazzei. Mazzei has largely funded his campaign through personal loans of at least $11.9 million, while Drummond has loaned his campaign at least $3.5 million. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-backs-mazzei-in-oklahoma-governor-runoff-against-drummond. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Trump backs Mazzei in Oklahoma governor runoff against Drummond", https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-backs-mazzei-in-oklahoma-governor-runoff-against-drummond