SCOOP: Oklahoma gubernatorial race heats up early with $1.6M ad buy for 'America First' candidate

"Charles McCall is the only America First and Oklahoma First candidate in this race with a proven conservative record," Erinn Mahathey, spokesperson for Oklahoma Conservative Coalition, told Fox News Digital. "This is just the beginning. With the right experience, real momentum, and a winning message, McCall is built to go the distance and deliver real results for Oklahoma."

With less than one year until the Republican primary, two candidates have emerged as potential front-runners in the race for Oklahoma's highest office. As a reliably red state, the winner of the Republican primary will largely be expected to win the general election that November. 

McCall announced his gubernatorial bid earlier this year, running on his record of "working hand-in-hand with Governor Stitt and President Trump" to build a "stronger Oklahoma rooted in an America First agenda."

Stitt, who serves as vice chair of the National Governors Association, is term-limited as Oklahoma governor in 2026. 

Oklahoma House Rep. Cyndi Munson, small business owner Leisa Mitchell Haynes and former Oklahoma State Senator Mike Mazzei have also declared their gubernatorial campaigns. 

When reached for comment, Drummond told Fox News Digital that he is a "job creator" and Trump supporter.

"As a strong supporter of President Trump and the America First agenda, I have been on the forefront of the fight to protect Oklahoma land from foreign ownership, deport illegal immigrants, and preserve the President's authority to lead without constant interference from activist judges," Drummond said.

And regarding past donations to Democrats, he said, "Like President Trump, I am not a career politician. I am a successful businessman and job creator," and emphasized that "99% of my donations have gone to Republican candidates and causes."

Fox News Digital's Breanne Deppisch contributed to this report.