By John Dobberstein, Editor
By the narrowest of margins, Trump-endorsed Mike Mazzei edged Gentner Drummond Tuesday in the GOP gubernatorial runoff election and will take on Democrat candidate Cyndi Munson in November.
With all precincts reporting, Mazzei garnered 50.3% of the vote vs. 49.7% for Drummond, with Mazzei overcoming an early deficit from absentee and early votes that were counted. Drummond conceded the election and said he accepted what voters decided.
According to election analysis from Nondoc, Attorney General Drummond won by very slim margins in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Wagoner counties.
Mazzei, a former state senator, won most counties in southeastern Oklahoma fairly convincingly, while Drummond was stronger in western Oklahoma.
Wagoner County changes
In Wagoner County there has been much turnover and strife in local government, and the changes continued Tuesday.
Todd Griebel was elected to finish an unexpired term of the Coweta City Council as he defeated Tim Ahlstrom with 58% of the vote.
Another new face will appear on the Wagoner County Board of Commissioners as well. Dennis McCollough easily won the District 3 seat with 64.7% of the vote over Patrick Sampson.
Sampson was dogged for much of the campaign over questions about his residency, which is still being investigated by Wagoner Police Department and Wagoner County District Attorney Jack Thorp. Still, Sampson congratulated McCollough on his victory and thanked his supporters.
“To everyone who supported me throughout this campaign, thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Sampson said in a Facebook post. “Your prayers, encouragement, votes and unwavering support carried me through every obstacle and challenge along the way. I ask everyone to join me in praying for Wagoner County in the years ahead.”
“To my family, thank you for every sacrifice you made. I am sorry for all you had to endure because of my love for the people of Wagoner County and my desire to serve them. Most of all, I thank God for giving me the strength to get through this journey. I would not have made it without Him. I trust that when the smoke clears and the truth is known, I will be right where God intends for me to be.”
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