A new statewide poll in Oklahoma is giving early insight into how Republican voters are thinking ahead of the June 16 primary election. The survey highlights close races in the governor’s contest, a wide-open field for state superintendent, and strong opinions on issues like inflation and artificial intelligence in political campaigns.
The poll was conducted by Centiment with assistance from University of Oklahoma political science professor Allyson Shortle.
Who Took Part in the Poll?
The survey included 457 registered Republican voters across Oklahoma. Of those surveyed:
- 55.14% were women (252 respondents)
- 44.86% were men (205 respondents)
- Participants represented a range of income levels
The poll has a margin of error of ±4.6%.
It was funded by NonDoc and the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters.
Oklahoma Governor’s Race
The Republican primary for governor appears to be tightly contested. No candidate has a clear lead, with four major names polling within a few percentage points of each other.
Here’s how the numbers break down:
| Candidate | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Mike Mazzei | 22.1% |
| Gentner Drummond | 21.66% |
| Chip Keating | 21.44% |
| Charles McCall | 18.38% |
| Jake A. Merrick | 7.22% |
| Kenneth Sturgell | 3.06% |
| Jennifer Domenico | 2.63% |
| Leisa Mitchell Haynes | 2.41% |
| Calup Anthony Taylor | 1.09% |
With such close numbers at the top, the race remains highly competitive.
State Superintendent Race
For the position of Superintendent of Public Instruction, respondents were asked both which candidates they recognised and who they planned to vote for.
Recognition results:
| Candidate | Name Recognition |
|---|---|
| James Taylor | 33% |
| John Cox | 31% |
| Adam Pugh | 21% |
| Toni Hasenback | 18% |
| Robert Franklin | 17% |
| Debra A. Herlihy | 12% |
| William E Crozier | 12% |
However, when asked who they would vote for, nearly half (49.23%) said they are still undecided. This suggests the race is still very fluid.
Top Issues for Oklahoma Voters
The poll also asked voters to select the three most important issues influencing their vote.
Here’s what ranked highest:
| Issue | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Inflation & cost of living | 57% |
| Economy & infrastructure | 41% |
| Immigration & border security | 32% |
| Education | 29% |
| Public safety & crime | 21% |
| Taxes & government spending | 21% |
| Healthcare | 20% |
Other issues mentioned by fewer respondents included:
- Government accountability (17%)
- Energy policy (15%)
- Protecting conservative values (15%)
- Second Amendment rights (11%)
- Helping poor people (10%)
- Religious freedom (9%)
- Federal overreach/states’ rights (7%)
- Housing (7%)
- Tribal relations (4%)
The strong focus on inflation shows economic concerns remain top of mind for Republican voters.
Opinions on Artificial Intelligence in Campaigns
One of the more modern questions in the poll involved artificial intelligence (AI) in political campaigns.
A large majority believe AI use should be disclosed:
- Strongly agree: 63.24%
- Somewhat agree: 26.48%
- Somewhat disagree: 7.22%
- Strongly disagree: 3.06%
When asked whether AI should be banned in campaign materials:
- Strongly agree: 43.54%
- Somewhat agree: 31.73%
- Somewhat disagree: 18.60%
- Strongly disagree: 6.13%
This suggests strong support among Republican voters for transparency in political advertising.
What This Means Going Forward
The poll shows that Oklahoma’s Republican primary races remain competitive, especially in the governor’s contest. With several candidates polling within just a few percentage points, campaign messaging and voter turnout will likely play a key role in shaping the outcome.
Economic concerns clearly dominate voter priorities, while education and public safety also remain important. Meanwhile, the high support for AI disclosure indicates voters are paying attention to emerging technology in politics.
As the June 16 primary approaches, candidates will likely focus heavily on inflation, economic stability and conservative policy priorities. With nearly half of voters still undecided in some races, there is still plenty of room for movement before ballots are cast.
