As supporters gathered Tuesdayeveningtowatchthe returnscomein,formerOklahoma HouseSpeakerCharles McCall stood surrounded by family members, longtime friends and supporters who had backed his campaign for governor. As the final votes were tallied and it became apparent that Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and former state Secretary of Finance Mike Mazzeiwereheadedforarunoff election,McCalladdressed the crowd with a message of gratitude,faithandoptimism for the state's future.
Taking the stage to applause from those assembled, McCall first thanked God, his familyandthevolunteersand voters who had supported his campaign throughout the months leading up to Election Day.
'I am pro-Oklahoma,' Mc-Call told the crowd. 'I want what is best for our state, and I wish the very best for whoever becomes our next governor. I pray they will have a strong hand in continuing to make Oklahoma the greatest state in the nation.'
Throughouthiscampaign, McCall emphasized conservative principles and what he describedasacommitmentto protecting Oklahoma values.
A businessman and longtime legislator who served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 2017 to 2025, McCall built his campaign around economic growth, tax reduction, support for law enforcement and a limited role for government. He repeatedly called for reducing the state's income tax burden and promoting policies aimed at attracting new businesses and jobs.
McCall argued that Oklahoma's economic strength depended on maintaining a pro-business climate and limiting regulations that he believedhinderedgrowth.On social issues, McCall championed traditional conservative values.
He consistently voiced support for the Second Amendment, parental rights in education and pro-life policies. He also advocated for expanding school choice and empowering parents with greater control over their children's education.
Border security and public safety were also central themes of his campaign. McCall pledged to support law enforcement agencies and to work with state leaders to combat illegal drug trafficking and criminal activity affecting Oklahoma communities.
The Atoka Republican often spoke about Oklahoma's energy industry, expressing support for oil and natural gas production and opposing what he viewed as federal policies that threatened the state's energy economy. He frequently argued that Oklahoma should continue pursuing an 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy while preserving the jobs and livelihoods tied to the industry.
Although the results did not send him into the runoff, McCall struck a positive tone in his remarks, saying the work ethic and values that shaped his campaign would continue long after Election Day.
'I'm not taking tomorrow off,' McCall said with a smile. 'We'll get up and go to work like normal.'
The comment drew laughter and applause from supporters, many of whom had traveled from across the state to attend the election watch party. McCall's campaign may have come to an end, but his message throughout the race remained consistent, that Oklahoma's best days lie ahead and that the state's conservative principles, faith andindependentspiritwould continue to guide its future.
As the Republican gubernatorial contest moved on to a runoff between Drummond and Mazzei, McCall closed the evening with a call for unity and pride in the state he spent years serving.
'Regardless of the outcome, we're all Oklahomans,' he said. 'And I believe our greatest days are still ahead.'