It’s on: 2026 race for Oklahoma governor officially underway, with only 659 days to go
Jan 14, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — We’re a little less than two years away from the 2026 Oklahoma gubernatorial election, and a candidate has already entered the race. Political experts say longer campaign seasons like this one are becoming the new norm.
On Monday, Oklahoma Attorney General Genter Drummond announced he is running for Oklahoma Governor in 2026.
The Republican announced his run with 659 days—nearly two years—to go until election day on Nov. 3, 2026.
If Drummond’s announcement seems premature, University of Central Oklahoma political science professor Brett Sharp says early announcements like Drummond’s are becoming the new norm.
“It's becoming more and more common,” Sharp said. “Look at the presidential elections, those have been getting longer and longer and longer. We used to complain about that, but I think Trump, you know, he's been running for office for four years now. Our representatives, congressional representatives, this is the way the framers designed it. They wanted them to be continuously running.”
He says—partially in Oklahoma where whoever wins the Republican primary will have a high chance to be our next governor—the primary race tends to get crowded, and there’s an advantage to jumping out ahead of the pack.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond announces run for governor
“I think part of the strategy here is raising money, also scaring off some of your potential opponents,” Sharp said.
But don’t expect many rallies, debates or fiery politics this far out from election day.
He says the real “campaign” is still a way out.
“I think the actual audience for this right now is not necessarily the average voter, even ones who would volunteer for a campaign,” Sharp said. “I think the audience here are the kinds of civic leaders that are working behind the scenes, the business leaders, the people with money.”
With all that in mind though, don’t be surprised if some more familiar Republican names file in quickly behind Drummond in the primary race for governor.
“You're going to see those people thinking about whether they're going to run or not,” he said. “And if they're going to run, better come out sooner.”