Republican candidates for Oklahoma governor appear at Moore forum as 2026 primary field takes shape
Forum offers early public test for a crowded GOP primary
Republican contenders seeking Oklahoma’s top office are scheduled to take part Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, in a public forum at Randall University in Moore, part of a widening campaign calendar ahead of the 2026 election cycle. The event is expected to feature candidate introductions followed by questions from attendees, giving voters an early chance to compare messages in a fast-developing primary contest.
The general election for governor is set for Nov. 3, 2026. Oklahoma’s incumbent governor, Kevin Stitt, is term-limited and cannot seek a third term, guaranteeing an open race that has drawn a large field.
Who is participating and who is in the broader Republican field
Seven Republican candidates are expected to appear in person at the Moore forum:
- Gentner Drummond, Oklahoma attorney general
- Chip Keating, former adviser in the Stitt administration and son of former Gov. Frank Keating
- Mike Mazzei, former state senator
- Charles McCall, former speaker of the Oklahoma House
- Jake Merrick, former state senator
- Leisa Mitchell Haynes, entrepreneur
- Kenneth Sturgell, small business owner
Two additional Republicans—Jennifer Domenico, a business owner, and Laura Moreno, a past U.S. Senate candidate—are also in the race but were not listed among those slated to appear at the Feb. 19 event.
How to watch the Feb. 19 event
The forum is scheduled to be livestreamed beginning at 7 p.m. Viewers should look for the live video player or a posted YouTube livestream link in the event’s coverage as the program begins.
Other candidates and what the field looks like beyond the GOP primary
While Republicans currently account for the largest share of declared candidates, the overall gubernatorial lineup also includes Democratic and independent filings. House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson has filed as a Democrat. Three candidates—Robert Brooks Sr., Gerry Griffin and Billy Wagner—have filed to run as independents.
Another major GOP forum is scheduled later this month
Beyond the Moore event, the Oklahoma Republican Party has scheduled an additional gubernatorial forum for Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, at the Capitol View Event Center in Oklahoma City. That program is billed as a ticketed event with a confirmed list of candidates, and it is expected to serve as another high-profile showcase as campaigns compete for attention before voting begins later this year.
The Feb. 19 Moore forum and the Feb. 28 Oklahoma City forum reflect an early phase of the race focused on visibility, candidate introductions, and direct voter questions—before the campaign turns toward turnout operations and late-stage contrasts.
With an open governor’s seat and multiple candidates pursuing the nomination, the February forums offer a preview of how each campaign is positioning on leadership, experience, and priorities for the next administration.