GOVERNOR
Mike Mazzei defeated Gentner Drummond in an extremely tight race. Mazzei was able to get nearly 51% of the vote, receiving around 2,000 more than Drummond. Mazzei was a state senator for 12 years and a business owner. He ran on eliminating property taxes for seniors and veterans, protecting Oklahoma land from foreign adversaries, education that works, more high-paying jobs, the right to life, and government accountability.
Mazzei also supports the controversial smelter plant in Inola, but his Republican opponent, Gentner Drummond, does not. Mazzei was endorsed by President Donald Trump.
SUPERINTENDENT OF INSTRUCTION
Robert Franklin beat James Taylor with 54 percent of the vote. Franklin got his start in education at the Hissom Memorial Center 45 years ago. He held teaching and leadership positions at Sand Springs Schools, where he worked for 29 years before becoming a teacher at Tulsa Tech in 2010. He also served as associate superintendent for student affairs.
Franklin touts the fact that he’s never been a politician, and he ran on “back-to-basics” academics, parent involvement, school choice with accountability, discipline, and giving graduates a path to success.
LABOR COMMISSIONER
Kevin West defeated John Pfiffer with 58% of the vote. West, an Oklahoma City native, has served as the Representative from Oklahoma House District 54 since 2016.
West ran on rebuilding the pipeline of skilled trades, standing with small businesses, promoting safety through partnership, supporting veterans and second chances, and preparing for the future of work and securing America’s future.
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
Bob Sullivan defeated Marty L. Quinn with 54% of the vote. Sullivan has spent 20 years in the insurance business, and according to his website, he is pro-life, pro-Second Amendment, and committed to protecting freedom, defending family, and putting Oklahoma first.
Sullivan ran on cutting costs, lowering rates, holding big insurance accountable, restoring competition and choice, protecting homeowners and small businesses, and defending conservative and Oklahoma values.
STATE QUESTION No. 844, LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM No. 378 (DEFEATED)
The state question was defeated after 74% of “No” votes.
This measure amends article 10, section 6B of the Oklahoma Constitution. Section 6B incentivizes manufacturers to locate, expand, or acquire manufacturing facilities in Oklahoma through an ad valorem taxation exemption for five (5) years. Currently, the State must reimburse common schools, county governments, cities and towns, emergency medical services districts, vocational technical schools, junior colleges, county health departments and libraries for revenues lost as a result of each exemption provided.
This measure authorizes the Legislature to enact laws establishing the levels and methodologies of reimbursement for the previously mentioned local governmental entities resulting from the manufacturing exemption. The laws are meant to ensure that no individual county receives reimbursement in an amount detrimental to other Oklahoma counties.
The levels and methodologies will replace the current statutory framework for reimbursement. For the purpose of calculating the limit on indebtedness for political subdivisions, the measure requires such amount be equal to the amount of reimbursement applicable to such property under laws enacted by the Legislature. This measure will have a fiscal impact on the state that will depend on the application of the levels and methodologies adopted by the Legislature.
STATE QUESTION No. 846 LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM No. 380 (PASSED)
The state question passed with 56% of the vote.
This measure adds a new section 6 to article 3 of the Oklahoma Constitution to require proof of identity to vote in any election authorized by law and conducted by a county election board or the State Election Board. The measure requires proof of identity for all authorized methods of voting. The measure requires the Legislature to enact laws to specify requirements for proof of identity for voting. The measure will not have a fiscal impact.
