Tag: Oklahoma politics

CIV Endorses Gentner Drummond in Oklahoma Republican Governor Runoff

Outline map of Oklahoma used to illustrate Centrist Independent Voter’s 2026 endorsement of Gentner Drummond for governor.

Centrist Independent Voter has endorsed Gentner Drummond in Oklahoma’s August 25 Republican runoff for governor.

Drummond is a conservative Republican, and we disagree with him on several important issues. But his record as Oklahoma attorney general demonstrates something we increasingly value in elected officials: a willingness to exercise independent judgment even when doing so puts him at odds with powerful members of his own party.

That independence has appeared repeatedly. Drummond challenged Oklahoma’s proposed publicly funded religious charter school, sought a new trial for death-row inmate Richard Glossip after concluding that his original trial was unfair, pursued a more cooperative relationship with Oklahoma’s tribal nations, and has continued opposing the proposed Inola aluminum smelter despite President Trump’s support for the project.

We do not necessarily agree with every decision Drummond has made. What matters is that the evidence suggests those decisions are based on his understanding of Oklahoma’s interests and the law rather than simply on presidential or party preference.

That makes him the stronger choice in the Republican runoff.

Read our full endorsement of Gentner Drummond for Oklahoma governor.

See all of Centrist Independent Voter’s 2026 candidate endorsements.

Centrist Independent Voter Endorses Jim Priest in Oklahoma Senate Runoff

Oklahoma-themed landscape with the state outline, plains, windmill, Oklahoma State Capitol, Oklahoma City skyline and oil pumps.

Centrist Independent Voter has endorsed Jim Priest in Oklahoma’s August 25 Democratic runoff for the United States Senate.

Priest is a long-shot candidate in a strongly Republican state, but that does not make the Democratic choice unimportant. His background as a lawyer, nonprofit executive and minister is accompanied by an unusually explicit commitment to working with practical problem-solvers in both parties.

We particularly agree with Priest’s criticism of tariffs. Tariffs are largely paid by American consumers and businesses, and unpredictable trade policy raises costs for farmers and other producers. Priest also argues that Congress should reclaim its constitutional authority over trade.

His foreign-policy program needs more detail, and his domestic proposals need a clearer accounting of their costs. Those are real reservations.

But Priest offers a more practical approach than runoff opponent N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas, who has made removing President Trump within her first 100 days a central campaign promise. Centrist Independent Voter has serious objections to Trump and could support impeachment when justified by the evidence. A Senate candidate, however, should recognize that impeachment begins in the House and that conviction requires a two-thirds Senate vote. Opposition to a president is not a substitute for a governing program.

Priest’s combination of bipartisan instincts, institutional responsibility and economic realism makes him the stronger choice.

Read our full endorsement of Jim Priest.

See all Centrist Independent Voter 2026 endorsements.