The race to be the next Governor of Oklahoma is apparently going down to the wire.
Earlier this week, CHS & Associates – that political firm run by longtime GOP strategist Pat McFerron – released a new poll showing Gentner Drummond and Mike Mazzei tied at 44% each heading into the August 25 runoff.
According to Oklahoma Politics Today, Mazzei – armed with a Trump endorsement – is dominating with the mouth-breathing MAGA Republican crowd, while Gentner is cleaning up with the more traditional country-club Republican set.
Via Oklahoma Politics Today:
Oklahoma’s Republican runoff for governor appears headed for a very close finish, with a new statewide poll finding Gentner Drummond and Mike Mazzei tied at 44%.
The Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates survey found 13% undecided heading into the Aug. 25 election. Drummond held a slight edge, 42% to 40%, before initially undecided voters were asked which candidate they leaned toward.
Yeah, I think we can all agree that’s a tad surprising.
Back when Trump endorsed Mazzei, I figured the race was all but in the bag. Then again, that was before I – and apparently most Republicans – got to hear Mike Mazzei speak! Fair or unfair, the guy always sounds like he’s on something. Granted, I don’t know if that something is booze, oxy or simply the effect of a horrific car crash, but something nonetheless.
It was also before I realized Gentner was going to bust his ass and simply outwork Mazzei.
Seriously, give Gentner credit. He could have rolled over and played dead after the Trump endorsement, but whether through arrogance, stubbornness or sheer determination, he’s kept grinding – doing whatever he can to stay in the news and pander to Republican voters, from blocking smelters and investigating Anthony Fauci to voluntarily taking drug tests.
Here’s more:
Pat McFerron, president of the Oklahoma City polling firm, discussed the findings in an interview Monday evening with OK Politics Today. He said the dead heat reflects two competing Republican coalitions that are nearly canceling each other out.
Mazzei leads 62% to 22% among respondents who describe themselves as Trump Republicans. Drummond leads 60% to 30% among a larger group identifying as traditional Republicans.
But traditional Republican does not necessarily mean anti-Trump. McFerron said most Trump Republicans and most voters who dislike Trump have largely made their choices.
The likely battleground is the 32% who view President Donald Trump favorably but still call themselves traditional Republicans. Within that subgroup—not among all respondents—Drummond and Mazzei are also tied at 44%.
“That’s the group that’s conflicted right now,” McFerron said.
So there you have it. The Republican primary may ultimately be decided by the 32% of voters who like Donald Trump, but still call themselves traditional Republicans. Basically, confused morons.
Anyway, you can read more about the poll and all that fun stuff over at Oklahoma Politics Today.
I guess it will be interesting to see how this thing shakes out over the next two weeks. It feels like Drummond clearly has the momentum at this point, but Mazzei still has that Trump card in his pocket. You have to wonder how that will be played as we near the end.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
