With help from Democrats, AG Gentner Drummond tops fundraising among state officials

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has raised more than $225,000 in campaign contributions in his first six months of office, which have been marked by a reassertion of his office’s independence and a willingness to challenge the governor on multiple fronts.

The Republican has drawn donations from a range of Oklahomans, including Democrats, business executives and philanthropists. Former Gov. Brad Henry, a Democrat, gave him $1,000. Former Democratic state Rep. Collin Walke, of Oklahoma City, donated $500.

Drummond had just over $502,000 in his campaign account at the end of June, according to a report filed this week with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. University of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz donated to the campaign, as did former Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis. Former OU and Dallas Cowboys coach Barry Switzer also chipped in.

More: Oklahoma attorney general moves to oust governor from defending his tribal gaming compacts

"Attorney General Drummond serves all four million Oklahomans and is honored to have financial support from a broad range of business and community leaders,” a campaign spokesperson said.

The next elections for most statewide offices are three years off, and some incumbents are in their second terms, meaning they can’t run for the same job again.

Drummond could run for a second term in 2026, but he is already considered a potential candidate for governor since Gov. Kevin Stitt can’t run again. Like Stitt, Drummond has the personal financial means to boost his campaign spending.

Drummond replaced John O’Connor, a Stitt appointee who backed the governor’s agenda to fund religious charter schools and his efforts to reverse the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on tribal reservation status in McGirt v. Oklahoma. Since taking office, Drummond has withdrawn the opinion O’Connor issued favoring religious charter schools and effectively dropped an O’Connor case intended to further narrow the McGirt decision.

Drummond also has moved to assert his office’s position against Stitt in a federal lawsuit over tribal gaming compacts. And he has vowed to pursue an investigation of the state's use of federal COVID relief money that was the subject of a scathing audit. That investigation could focus heavily on state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, who was secretary of education when the money was allegedly misspent.

Walters’ name also has been mentioned as a potential gubernatorial candidate, although he also would be eligible to run for reelection for his current job in 2026. According to the campaign finance report filed this week, his crusades for school prayer and against organized labor haven’t translated into campaign cash.

The lone contribution to his campaign account this year was for $250 and came from North Carolina. His campaign ended the second quarter with about $39,000.

Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell campaign account has $1 million

Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who is term-limited and considered a possible candidate for governor, ended the second quarter with just over $1 million in his account. Pinnell has not been actively raising money in recent months.

“My primary focus is to continue to serve as a champion for our state by recruiting businesses and improving our workforce to meet the needs of our employers,” said Pinnell, who also serves as secretary of workforce development.

“My wife, Lisa, and I love our state and are passionate about our commitment to service, but also know full well the weight and responsibility of continuing to serve. Our most important commitment is to our family. It is with prayerful deliberation that we are keeping an eye on the political environment in consideration of what comes next. We are fortunate to be in a strong position no matter which path we choose.”

Stitt closed out his campaign account, forgiving about $1.9 million in personal loans he made to his reelection effort. Whether the Republican serves out his term could depend in part on next year’s presidential election. Stitt has endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and has said he would be open to serving in his cabinet.

State Treasurer Todd Russ, serving his first term, raised nearly $49,000 from individuals in the second quarter and another $5,000 from the Community Bankers Association of Oklahoma. Russ made a $50,000 payment to himself on a $100,000 personal loan he made to his campaign.

Oklahoma Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd, Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn and Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready won second terms last year and can’t run for those posts again.

Corporation Commissioner Kim David, a Republican who won election last year to a six-year term, has not raised money this year. Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony is term-limited, and that seat will be up next year; no candidate for the position has filed paperwork with the Ethics Commission.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Democrats pitch in to help Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond