AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Oklahoma’s state primary runoff

Oklahoma Republicans will hold a primary runoff election on Tuesday to decide the winner of the gubernatorial race, while Democrats will select a nominee for the U.S. Senate. The primary also included two statewide ballot measures, one of which would require voter identification for casting ballots in the state.

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Gentner Drummond narrowly beat Republican Mike Mazzei in the June 16 primary, each receiving nearly 26% of the vote. The two candidates failed to secure a majority, necessitating the runoff. Drummond outspent Mazzei in campaign contributions, raising $7.1 million compared to Mazzei's $1.5 million. Trump endorsed Mazzei for the primary, but his support did not guarantee victory, as seen in previous endorsements that resulted in losses.

The winner of the primary will face Democratic state House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson in the November general election. In the U.S. Senate race, nurse N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas received about 45% of the Democratic primary vote, but she fell short of the majority needed to avoid a runoff. Despite raising significantly less than her opponent Jim Priest, Thomas remains in the race, facing Republican Kevin Hern in the runoff. The last Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate in Oklahoma was in 1990.