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OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond on Monday announced he is running for governor.

He made the announcement surrounded by family and supporters at the Osage County Fairgrounds, ending months of speculation.

Drummond is the first candidate to formally announce that he’s planning to seek the Republican Party nomination during the June 2026 primary election. Gov. Kevin Stitt cannot seek another four years in office due to term limits. 

Drummond said he is not running to seek a political promotion, serve special interest groups or bow down to “party bosses.”

“I’m running for governor because I believe in the boundless potential of its people,” he said.

Drummond said he will stand with President-elect Donald Trump to secure the border. He will work with Native American tribes to invest in education, roads, bridges and public safety, he said.

“I’ll fight to lower the tax burden, lower the cost of living and increase the number of quality jobs,” Drummond said.

He said he would support public education, local control and empower parents.

“I want you to know I will always do the right thing, regardless of the cost,” Drummond said.

Drummond is serving his first term as attorney general. He made an earlier unsuccessful bid for the post.

Drummond is an attorney, banker and rancher. He is a decorated Gulf War fighter pilot.

He has frequently had disagreements with Stitt and Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters over the creation of the nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school. He’s also butted heads with Stitt over Native American issues and other policy matters.

Oklahoma Voice is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a nation 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and donations focused on delivering state government news. The Voice maintains full editorial independence. For more stories by Oklahoma Voice go to oklahomavoice.com.

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