By Anna Commander0ShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.The race for Oklahoma governor may be entering a new phase following President Donald Trump's endorsement last week of Mike Mazzei, former state senator and budget secretary.
A new survey from JMC Analytics and Polling on Thursday possibly shows that Trump's backing is giving Mazzei a boost among likely Republican primary voters just 12 days before ballots are cast. In surveys among different pollsters this year, Mazzei had rarely placed first.
According to the new poll, Mazzei has 24 percent of the hypothetical vote compared to Attorney General Gentner Drummond's 20 percent. Former Oklahoma State Senator Jake Merrick landed 12 percent, ex-Secretary of Public Safety Chip Keating had 10 percent and former Oklahoma Speaker of the House Charles McCall garnered 7 percent. A few other candidates landed below 3 percent and 25 percent were undecided.
Read More on NewsMazzei and Drummond are statistically tied, as the results fall within the poll's margin of error.
In a statement to Newsweek on Thursday, Mazzei said, "We earned Donald Trump’s endorsement because our conservative policy goals are aligned with his. President Trump and I are both on the same mission to lower taxes, weed out government fraud and abuse, and build a powerful economy that brings prosperity to everyone.
"Oklahoma is a very red state and this poll was taken only three days after President Trump‘s endorsement. Support for our campaign will just keep growing from here.”
Newsweek also reached out to Drummond's campaign via email on Thursday for comment.
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What To Know
The poll shows that when asked which candidate they are leaning toward supporting, 11 percent of the undecideds said Mazzei, 6 percent said Keating, 5 percent said Drummond and 3 percent said Merrick or McCall. The survey shows that 68 percent are still undecided.
The poll was conducted on June 2 and June 3 among 550 likely Republican primary voters and has a margin of error of 4.18 percent.
In recent primary races, Trump's preferred candidates have won competitive elections. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy lost his race, as did Republican Congressman Thomas Massie. Trump backed both of their opponents.
Trump's endorsement likely helps consolidate voters looking for a candidate aligned with the president's agenda. However, this week the president did have a primary-related loss, as his endorsed candidate, Representative Randy Feenstra, conceded in the race for Iowa governor.
When asked what the most important issue facing the country today is, 30 percent said inflation and the cost of living and 23 percent said border security and illegal immigration.
In his endorsement of Mazzei late last month, Trump said in part that, "Mike knows the AMERICA FIRST Policies required to Grow our Economy, Create GREAT Jobs, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., and Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE. As your next Governor, Mike will fight tirelessly to Support our Amazing Farmers and Ranchers, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment."
What Other Polls Show
A poll from NonDoc conducted from May 21 to May 25 shows that 22.1 percent chose Mazzei, 21.66 picked Drummond and 21.44 selected Keating. McCall also landed double digits in the poll with 18.38 percent. It surveyed 457 Oklahoma Republicans and had a margin of error of 4.6 percent, according to local outlet News9.
In a poll from Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates, Drummond leads with 36 percent compared to McCall's 14 percent, Keating and Mazzei's 13 percent, and Merrick's 5 percent. The poll was taken from January 26 to January 30 among 600 Republican primary voters in Oklahoma, and "the results are within 4.3% of the true value."
A survey from co/efficient in October showed McCall with 31 percent compared to Drummond's 20 percent. Keating had 5 percent, Merrick had 3 percent, Mazzei had 1 percent, 3 percent said someone else and 38 percent were undecided.
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