Governor Kevin Stitt will be term limited at the end of his current term in 2026.

The 2026 governors race is beginning to shape up with  Attorney General Gentner Drummond, Leisa Mitchell Haynes, and former Speaker of the Oklahoma House Charles McCall announcing their campaigns.

Drummond announced his campaign on Jan. 13th, he is currently the state attorney general.  Drummond and Gov. Kevin Stitt have been at odds several times in his tenure as attorney general.

He is a decorated Air Force veteran.

Drummond has worked as a rancher, banker, business man and lawyer.

Drummond has a lengthy legal background for over 30 years and has served as an assistant DA both in Osage and Pawnee Counties.

Haynes has been a small business owner, city manager and Main Street manager.

She graduated  from East Central University with a bachelors degree in communications and also from the University of Central Oklahoma with a master’s degree in public administration.

Her website states “Haynes embodies a vision of transformation and empowerment for Oklahoma. With a fervent commitment to addressing crucial issues, she champions the restoration of neglected infrastructure, advocates for education reform to elevate the state’s ranking, and ensures the protection of vulnerable communities, including special needs adults and indigenous tribes.”

McCall who is from Atoka, was the longest serving speaker of the Oklahoma House.  He was term limited out in 2024.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma in finance and economics.  He worked as a banker and began his political career as a city councilman in Atoka.  He was elected to the Oklahoma House and became Speaker in 2017.

In an Open Letter announcing his candidacy McCall says he wants to work alongside Pres. Trump to Make America Great and to Keep Oklahoma Great.