Trump-backed Mike Mazzei wins the GOP nomination in the Oklahoma governor’s race

Former state Sen. Mike Mazzei has secured the Republican nomination for governor in Oklahoma, NBC News projects, a victory for President Donald Trump’s preferred candidate.

Former state Sen. Mike Mazzei has secured the Republican nomination for governor in Oklahoma, NBC News projects, a victory for President Donald Trump’s preferred candidate.

Mazzei narrowly defeated state Attorney General Gentner Drummond by about 2,000 votes in the GOP primary runoff.

The initial June primary was also tight. Drummond finished in first place by just more than 1,000 votes over Mazzei. Since no candidate in the crowded field secured a majority, the race went to a runoff.

In the weeks leading up to the runoff, Drummond outraised and outspent Mazzei, with his campaign reporting last week that he brought in $2.3 million between the mid-June primary and Tuesday’s runoff. Mazzei, in the same time period, raised $816,000.

Both candidates have also loaned their campaigns significant sums: $11 million for Mazzei and $3 million for Drummond.