Trump-Backed Candidates Secure Key Primary Runoff Victories in South Carolina and Oklahoma

What Happened

On Tuesday, August 25, 2026, former President Donald Trump saw two of his endorsed candidates clinch Republican nominations in primary runoff elections. Senator Darline Graham of South Carolina secured her party's nomination, benefiting from over $800,000 poured into her campaign by Trump's super PAC, MAGA Inc. Concurrently, Tulsa businessman Mike Mazzei won the GOP nomination for Oklahoma governor. Mazzei's victory followed Trump's reaffirmation of his May endorsement and direct social media attacks on Mazzei's opponent, state Attorney General Gentner Drummond, whom Trump labeled a “FAKE Republican” on his Truth Social platform. These races were widely viewed as significant tests of the former president's enduring influence within the Republican Party.

The Oklahoma gubernatorial primary runoff was particularly contentious, with Mazzei and Drummond emerging from a nine-person field in the initial June 16 primary, each securing approximately 26% of the vote. Trump's intervention included a Monday evening call to Oklahoma Republicans, where he stated, “Gentner Drummond does not stand for the values of Oklahoma, and he’s a guy that would be, I think, a disaster.” Mazzei, a 61-year-old founder of an investment management firm and former state senator, is now positioned to face Democratic nominee Cyndi Munson, the Oklahoma House Minority Leader, in the November general election. The last Democrat to win the Oklahoma governor's race was in 2006.

What the Evidence Establishes

The evidence establishes a direct correlation between former President Trump's active endorsement and financial support, and the primary runoff victories of Darline Graham and Mike Mazzei. MAGA Inc.'s investment of over $800,000 in Graham's South Carolina Senate bid underscores the tangible financial backing provided by Trump-aligned entities. In Oklahoma, Trump's influence extended beyond a simple endorsement; his use of the Truth Social platform to launch specific, public attacks against Gentner Drummond, calling him a “FAKE Republican,” served to galvanize support for Mazzei. This tactic, combined with a direct appeal to Oklahoma Republicans via a Monday evening call, highlights a strategic and multifaceted approach to influencing primary outcomes.

Campaign finance records indicate that the Oklahoma gubernatorial runoff was a high-spending affair, with over $14 million in television and digital advertising during the 10-week runoff period, adding to nearly $40 million spent before the runoff. While Drummond out-raised Mazzei in cash contributions by approximately $4.8 million, Mazzei largely self-funded his campaign through at least $11.9 million in personal loans, compared to Drummond's $3.5 million in loans. This financial landscape, coupled with Trump's vocal support, appears to have been a decisive factor in Mazzei's narrow victory, particularly in a state where Trump carried over 65% of the vote in each of his three presidential races without losing a single county.

Where the Accounts Conflict

Accounts conflict regarding the precise motivations behind Trump's endorsement of Mike Mazzei and the nature of Gentner Drummond's relationship with the former president. Drummond suggested that Mazzei's endorsement from Trump stemmed from Mazzei hiring a consulting firm operated by Roger Stone, a longtime Trump friend and adviser. Campaign finance records show Mazzei's campaign paid this firm $67,500. This implies a transactional basis for the endorsement, rather than purely ideological alignment or organic support. However, Trump's public statements focused on Drummond's perceived disloyalty, specifically citing Drummond's neutral stance on Trump's 2021 impeachment during a 2024 congressional hearing, where he stated he had “no opinion” on the matter.

Despite Trump's strong criticism, Drummond publicly maintained respect for the former president, telling Oklahoma City’s KOCO-TV last month, “I respect the president. He’s a great leader.” This statement contrasts sharply with Trump's characterization of Drummond as a “FAKE Republican” and someone who “everybody I know dislikes.” Furthermore, both Trump and Drummond have criticized outgoing Republican Governor Kevin Stitt, who endorsed Mazzei. Trump previously attacked Stitt as a “RINO” (Republican in Name Only) over a dispute regarding White House event invitations, while Drummond characterized Stitt’s eight years as governor as marked by “mediocrity and flipping.” These conflicting narratives underscore the complex and often contradictory loyalties within the Republican Party, even among those who publicly align with Trump.

Context and Stakes

These primary runoff victories for Trump-endorsed candidates underscore the former president's continued significant influence within the Republican Party, particularly in deeply conservative states like Oklahoma and South Carolina. The successful outcomes for Darline Graham and Mike Mazzei reinforce the perception that a Trump endorsement remains a powerful, and often decisive, factor in GOP primary contests. This dynamic is crucial as the Republican Party navigates future elections, demonstrating that candidates who align with or secure the backing of Trump can overcome well-funded or established opponents, even in crowded fields.

The Oklahoma gubernatorial race holds particular stakes, as the state has not elected a Democratic governor since 2006. Mazzei's victory in the primary positions him as the favored candidate to replace term-limited GOP Governor Kevin Stitt. A win for Mazzei in November would further solidify Republican dominance in Oklahoma and validate Trump's kingmaker role in state-level politics. The substantial financial investment in the Oklahoma runoff, totaling over $14 million in advertising alone, highlights the perceived importance of the race for both state and national political factions. The ability of Trump's super PAC, MAGA Inc., to deploy significant funds, as seen with the $800,000 for Graham, also signals the financial muscle behind his endorsement strategy, impacting the broader landscape of campaign finance and political operations.

What to Watch Next

Following these primary runoff successes, observers will closely monitor former President Trump's engagement in upcoming primary and general election contests. His demonstrated ability to sway voters through social media and direct appeals suggests he will likely continue to deploy these tactics for other endorsed candidates. Specifically, attention will turn to Mike Mazzei's general election campaign against Democratic nominee Cyndi Munson in Oklahoma. Mazzei's strategy will likely involve leveraging Trump's continued support, particularly given Oklahoma's strong Republican leanings and Trump's consistent popularity in the state. The extent to which Mazzei can convert primary enthusiasm into general election votes will be a key indicator of the broader impact of Trump's endorsements.

Furthermore, the financial implications of Trump's political operations will remain a focus. The significant spending by MAGA Inc. in the South Carolina race, and the overall high expenditure in the Oklahoma primary, indicate that financial backing will continue to be a critical component of Trump's influence. Future campaign finance disclosures will reveal how much more Trump-aligned PACs invest in other races. The reactions from other Republican figures, particularly those who have been critical of Trump or have faced his opposition, will also be important to watch. The outcomes of these races could either embolden or temper dissent within the GOP, shaping the party's internal dynamics leading into future election cycles.

Bottom Line

Former President Donald Trump's endorsements proved decisive in the recent Republican primary runoff elections in South Carolina and Oklahoma, securing victories for Senator Darline Graham and gubernatorial nominee Mike Mazzei. These outcomes underscore Trump's sustained and potent influence within the Republican Party, demonstrating his capacity to shape electoral results through both direct endorsements and strategic financial backing from his super PAC, MAGA Inc. The Oklahoma race, in particular, highlighted Trump's willingness to engage in direct social media attacks against opponents of his chosen candidates, effectively mobilizing his base.

The financial scale of these primary contests, exemplified by the over $14 million spent in the Oklahoma runoff alone, further illustrates the high stakes involved and the resources deployed to secure these nominations. Mazzei, a businessman and former state senator, is now favored to win the Oklahoma governorship in November, a state that has not elected a Democrat to the top office since 2006. These victories reinforce the narrative of Trump as a formidable kingmaker within the GOP, capable of impacting both federal and state-level political landscapes, and suggest his influence will remain a central factor in upcoming election cycles.