Oklahoma Attorney General Critiques GOP Faction
At a candidate forum in Tulsa on Monday, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond addressed a noticeable absence: his opponent, former state Senator Mike Mazzei. Drummond made headlines by labeling certain “radical” elements within the Republican Party as “fascists.” This statement came as part of his campaign leading up to the Republican gubernatorial runoff set for August 25.
During the forum at the University of Tulsa’s Lawton Performance Center, organized by the Tulsa Press Club, Drummond expressed his views despite Mazzei’s absence. He positioned his remarks as part of a broader disagreement with some fellow Republicans.
“I would love to be every governor, and that can contrast sharply with some of the more extreme elements in our party,” he stated. “However, I don’t think they represent real Republican values. I see them more as fascist.”
Drummond also shared that his view of the political landscape has evolved over time. He remarked, “I used to think politics was linear. But honestly, it feels more circular now. As you move further to the right, there comes a point where you circle back around and land on the other side.”
Furthermore, Drummond defended his positions, which diverge from those taken by Gov. Kevin Stitt and former President Donald Trump. These include legal actions against poultry companies and opposition to the Inola aluminum smelter project.
Mazzei’s campaign responded to Drummond’s “fascist” label by linking it to Drummond’s donation history. They highlighted his contributions to Joe Biden and several Oklahoma Democrats, accusing him of following a “liberal pattern.” “His calling Republicans fascists is reminiscent of Hillary Clinton’s comment about Trump voters being ‘deplorables,'” they stated.
Records show that Drummond contributed $1,000 to Biden during the 2020 presidential campaign. Meanwhile, Mazzei has lent approximately $11 million to his own campaign and describes Drummond as a “liberal trial lawyer.”
Trump has voiced strong support for Mazzei, criticizing Drummond as a “fake Republican.” He pointed out the donations from the Drummond family to Biden and the Lincoln Project, labeling them shameful and claiming, “That frankly makes him a radical left-wing Democrat.”
