Oklahoma鈥檚 primary elections on Tuesday put on the ballot in the deeply conservative state where President Donald Trump鈥檚 status as party kingmaker faces another test ahead of .
In the Senate race, Trump鈥檚 of Republican U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern for the seat previously held by Homeland Security Secretary kept other potential big challengers at bay in Oklahoma, which hasn鈥檛 elected a Democratic senator since 1990.
A bigger test of Trump鈥檚 influence 鈥� which has usually proved potent in Republican primaries this year 鈥� may come in a crowded race to succeed outgoing .
Trump endorsed former state Sen. Mike Mazzei last month, wading late into a primary that includes several prominent Oklahoma Republicans. They include Attorney General Gentner Drummond, former Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall and Chip Keating, the state鈥檚 former public safety director.
The top four candidates relied heavily on their own funds, contributing $22.5 million, almost 72% of their combined fundraising of more than $31 million, according to campaign finance reports.
It has raised the likelihood of an August runoff if no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote.
In a solidly Republican state, the open races for two of Oklahoma鈥檚 biggest offices set off a political scramble.
Mullin left the Senate to join Trump鈥檚 cabinet and replace , whom the president fired in March over mounting criticism over her leadership at the Department of Homeland Security. , an energy executive, is filling the Oklahoma Senate seat for now, but state law prohibits him from seeking a full term as an interim appointee.
Stitt, who been governor since 2019, cannot run again because of term limits 鈥� and Trump has seemed eager for him to go.
As head of the National Governors Association, Stitt earlier this year over a dispute over invitations to White House events at the group鈥檚 annual meeting. The fallout led to Trump attacking Stitt on social media as a 鈥淩INO,鈥� meaning Republican in Name Only.
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