One of the biggest moral quandaries I face as publisher of this website is whether I should vote for or against my best interests—or, even more perplexingly, figure out what those best interests even are.
I was reminded of this earlier this week after SoonerSurvey released poll results showing the race for the Republican nomination for the 2026 governor’s race is shaping up to be between Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond and Psychopath Superintendent of Public Culture War Indoctrination, Ryan Walters.
According to an analysis by Pat McFerron—a predominant kingmaker in Oklahoma establishment politics—Gentner Drummond has a large lead, but Ryan Walters is lurking in the shadows like a woke liberal teacher union drag-show librarian hiding in a homeschool kid’s closet at bedtime.
In fact, McFerron even warned that if it comes down to a runoff between Walters and Drummond, Ryan has a—biblical history alert—sling-of-the-stones chance to take down Drummond and become governor.
In the last few months, Ryan Walters’ numbers have improved among Republican primary voters, though they’re still far from stellar. Walters now breaks even among Republicans (37% Favorable / 37% Unfavorable), but that’s an improvement from the 30% Favorable / 36% Unfavorable recorded in February. Despite recent discord with Governor Kevin Stitt, Stitt supporters remain the most loyal to Walters (52% Favorable / 22% Unfavorable among the 59% of Republicans with a favorable impression of Stitt). Walters’ potential strength may not be fully evident until a runoff. His best numbers come from Republicans who have voted in each of the last five primaries, where he holds a 43% favorable rating.
When asked how they would vote in any election involving Ryan Walters, 44% say they would vote for him—identical to the 44% who say they would vote against him. In a lower-turnout runoff election, that dedicated support could be enough to eke out a victory. Still, 33% say they would definitely vote against him, and only 15% say they would definitely vote for him, so it won’t be easy. In today’s world of low-turnout elections, however, it would be a mistake to discount Ryan Walters as a political force and possible nominee.
Yep, “it would be a mistake to discount Ryan Walters as a political force and possible nominee.” After looking at some of the polling results McFerron shared, I tend to agree!
Although Ryan’s pretty much hated and reviled by informed Republicans from the urban and establishment ranks, his theocratic ultra-MAGA message seems to appeal to the most hideous group of Republicans we have at the moment—Trump rural Republicans who vote in primary elections.
Check this out:
I know I live in an isolated urban bubble and try to only associate with like-minded people, but how can anyone, much less 37% of Republican voters, have a favorable view of this guy?!
Who are these people, and what creatures do they mate with? Even if he bought a new grill with the COVID money he gave you, you have to admit he comes across as a weird, awkward, and very unlikable goober. The type of person that a MAGA man would want to give a wedgie to in girl's bathroom.
In fact, the only favorable trait this guy has is manageable hair. He could come out tomorrow and say his bout of right-wing psychosis was nothing but an undercover act, that he wants to create tax credits for bloggers and put copies of Those Terrible Twisters in all public school classrooms, and I’d still never vote for him.
Well, unless I figure out how to prioritize those self-interests.
On one hand, Ryan would be a terrible governor for the state where I was born, raised, and live, and would further entrench it as a right-wing hellhole. That can’t be good.
Then again, Ryan Walters serving as Oklahoma’s governor would be a guaranteed windfall of content for the next eight years—or at least until he’s either impeached, arrested, or appointed Dean of Prague U.
Just think of all the potential real-life headlines a Ryan Walters gubernatorial reign could generate:
- Ryan Walters Welcomes First Class of Teachers to Patriotic History Reeducation Camp
- Brent Swadley Appointed Director of Oklahoma Tourism
- Ryan Walters Mandates King James Bible Be Kept in Every Public School Student’s Bedroom
- Harbor Mountain Coffee House Shut Down by OSBI
- Governor Ryan Walters Declares State of Emergency After Seeing Rainbow
You have to admit—at least from my perspective as an internet publisher who covers Oklahoma politics in my own, ahem, “unorthodox” way—there’s a genuine dilemma here.
It’s kind of like being a firefighter racing to put out a blaze, only to realize it’s your own damn house on fire. Sure, it’s devastating to watch your home burn, but at least you get to do what you love, stay busy, and maybe even win some awards for how well you sift through the ashes.
Hehe. Just kidding. We’ll never win an award.
Anyway, while I continue to wrestle with my unique moral quandary, I guess let this serve as a real-life warning to all the Ryan Walters haters who won't financially benefit from his morning headlines, actions and behavior: there’s a very real chance the guy not only runs for governor—but actually wins!
And sadly—outside of coping through a bond of communal hatred—there’s not much any of us can do about it. Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
