调查：对美国持负面看法的韩国人首次过半

2026年8月26日 15:18 / 联合早报

皮尤研究中心针对韩国人对美国的看法进行调查超过20年，对美国持负面看法的人首次超过50%，持非常负面看法的人更从去年的9%大幅上升至18%。 （法新社）

美国民调机构皮尤研究中心的一项民调结果显示，对美国持负面看法的韩国人占比首次超过50%。

韩联社报道，此次调查是皮尤研究中心正在进行的“2026全球态度调查”的一部分，于3月3日至4月4日面向1045名韩国成年人开展。星期一（8月24日）发布的调查结果显示，55%的受访者回答对美国持“负面看法”（unfavorable），较去年的39%上升16个百分点。

皮尤研究中心针对韩国人对美国的看法进行调查超过20年，对美国持负面看法的受访者首次过半。持非常负面看法的受访者更从去年的9%大幅上升至18%。

对美国的信任度方面，57%的受访者认为“美国是值得信赖的伙伴”，较拜登政府执政期间于2022年进行的最后一次同项调查结果（83%）下降了26个百分点。

对于特朗普政府的关税政策，85%韩国人持负面看法，其中63%表示“强烈反对”。

但韩国人对韩美同盟的认同感仍然较强。84%的韩国人认为“美国是韩国最重要的盟友”，这一比例虽较去年下降5个百分点，但仍处于较高水平。

Retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan advances in US Senate race in Alaska

August 26, 2026 4:34 AM UTC / Reuters

Aug 25 (Reuters) – Retired teacher ​Dan J. ‌Sullivan advanced to ​the ​general election for ⁠U.S. Senate ​in ​Alaska, according to U.S. media ​projections ​on Tuesday, creating ‌potential ⁠voter confusion with incumbent ​Senator ​Dan ⁠Sullivan, who ​also ​advanced.

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Reporting ⁠by Rishabh Jaiswal ⁠and ​Michelle ​Nichols; Editing by ​Muralikumar Anantharaman

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Alaska’s Senate race will feature two Dan Sullivans and Mary Peltola, CNN projects

2026-08-26T04:26:44.996Z / CNN

By Aleena Fayaz

3 hr ago

PUBLISHED Aug 26, 2026, 12:26 AM ET

Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., left, and incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, right.

AP

Two Dan Sullivans will be on the ballot in November for Alaska’s Senate seat, CNN’s Decision Desk projects, an outcome that could benefit Democratic former Rep. Mary Peltola’s bid to flip the seat.

While incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan and Peltola were virtual locks to advance from last week’s all-party primary, where the top four vote finishers regardless of party affiliation continue to the general election, political newcomer and former school teacher Dan J. Sullivan secured his spot with just a few percentage points of the vote.

The ascent of Sullivan’s same-name challenger realizes a long-held GOP fear in Alaska, where voters will use a ranked-choice voting system in November. With two Dan Sullivans on the ballot, Republicans are increasingly concerned that newcomer Sullivan, who filed to run as a Republican, will confuse voters and split the vote in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive race.

To retake the Senate, Democrats must secure a net gain of at least four seats in November, and the national party has poured millions into its bet that the one-and-a-half-term former congresswoman can defeat the incumbent.

Early on, Sen. Sullivan accused Democratic leaders of planting Dan J. Sullivan in the race to confuse voters — an allegation Dan J. Sullivan and top Democrats deny —and urged Alaskan state officials to remove his challenger’s name from the ballot, with the backing of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Despite pressure from Alaska Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher, who concluded that Dan J. Sullivan was ineligible for the ballot, the Petersburg man challenged the decision and ultimately took his case to the Alaska Supreme Court, which ordered officials to place him on the primary ballot.

It was left up to the elections division, however, to determine how he appeared on last week’s ballot.

The challenger was listed as Daniel J. Sullivan, Jr., with no mention of his party affiliation, on the ballot, while the sitting senator was listed as Dan S. Sullivan, with his status as the Republican incumbent noted.

In making the case to disqualify Dan J. Sullivan, Republicans pointed to his past campaign contributions and the metadata of his campaign announcement, which ties the document to Amber Lee, a consultant who has publicly supported Peltola in the past.

Mary Peltola, a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate seat in Alaska, addresses supporters at an election watch party Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen)

Mark Thiessen/AP

According to Federal Election Commission filings, either a Daniel or Dan Sullivan in Petersburg has donated $650 to ActBlue, the Democratic Party’s main fundraising platform, in recent years, including contributions earmarked for Peltola’s House campaigns in 2022 and 2024. There is no evidence of contributions to Republican campaigns from a Daniel or Dan Sullivan in Petersberg, FEC filings show.

Describing himself as a “pragmatic Republican centrist,” Dan J. Sullivan told the Petersburg Pilot in June that he backs candidates in both parties, and even compared himself to Alaska’s other GOP senator, Lisa Murkowski, a swing vote in the Senate who is often at odds with President Donald Trump and out of favor with the base. The former fifth-grade teacher also appeared to confirm he enlisted Lee, contending he found her when looking up consultants online.

Despite the scrutiny, the challenger insists his campaign is legitimate and has dismissed concerns that he would confuse the electorate.

“I have every right to stand up and do this,” he told the newspaper. “It’s my name, my grandfather’s name: Dan Sullivan. My dad’s name: Dan Sullivan.”

With no political experience, Dan J. Sullivan’s campaign has focused on his work as an educator and with the US Forestry Service in Alaska. He said he felt called to run because he felt the incumbent had not done enough to call out Trump’s second term agenda.

美日韩或按原计划启动三方例行联合军演

2026年8月26日 15:22 / 联合早报

美国总统特朗普发话后，美韩年度例行联合军演“乙支自由护盾”提前六天于8月21日结束。图为当天参与演习的美军AH-64“阿帕奇”直升机。 （路透社）

韩国媒体报道，虽然受美国总统特朗普推进重启与朝鲜对话影响，美军缩减了美韩例行军演规模，但目前正准备按原计划实施韩美日三方联合多域军演“自由之刃”。

韩联社报道，美国太平洋司令部发言人星期三（8月26日）说，太平洋司令部正与日本自卫队和韩军保持紧密合作，筹备实施今年的美日韩“自由之刃”联演（Freedom Edge）。

他表明，本次联演继续巩固三国共同价值理念，提升协作，进一步加强旨在维护整个太平洋地区和平稳定的三国国防合作关系。联演相关细节将于日后公布。

美韩军队上星期一（17日）启动原定为期11天的“乙支自由护盾”（Ulchi Freedom Shield）例行联合军演，但特朗普以自己与朝鲜领导人金正恩关系良好为由，对这场演习表达不满，并下令美军缩减演习规模。“乙支自由护盾”演习最终提前六天结束。

据悉，美日韩正就下月实施“自由之刃”联演的方案进行最终协调。

美日韩曾于2024年6月、11月和去年9月，在朝鲜半岛近海实施“自由之刃”联演，内容包括海上导弹防御、空中及防空训练、反潜作战、网络防御等。

时任朝鲜劳动党中央军事委员会副委员长朴正天去年9月发表谈话，谴责“自由之刃”联演是侵略战争演习。

美日韩或按原计划启动三方例行联合军演

2026年8月26日 15:22 / 联合早报

美国总统特朗普发话后，美韩年度例行联合军演“乙支自由护盾”提前六天于8月21日结束。图为当天参与演习的美军AH-64“阿帕奇”直升机。 （路透社）

韩国媒体报道，虽然受美国总统特朗普推进重启与朝鲜对话影响，美军缩减了美韩例行军演规模，但目前正准备按原计划实施韩美日三方联合多域军演“自由之刃”。

韩联社报道，美国太平洋司令部发言人星期三（8月26日）说，太平洋司令部正与日本自卫队和韩军保持紧密合作，筹备实施今年的美日韩“自由之刃”联演（Freedom Edge）。

他表明，本次联演继续巩固三国共同价值理念，提升协作，进一步加强旨在维护整个太平洋地区和平稳定的三国国防合作关系。联演相关细节将于日后公布。

美韩军队上星期一（17日）启动原定为期11天的“乙支自由护盾”（Ulchi Freedom Shield）例行联合军演，但特朗普以自己与朝鲜领导人金正恩关系良好为由，对这场演习表达不满，并下令美军缩减演习规模。“乙支自由护盾”演习最终提前六天结束。

据悉，美日韩正就下月实施“自由之刃”联演的方案进行最终协调。

美日韩曾于2024年6月、11月和去年9月，在朝鲜半岛近海实施“自由之刃”联演，内容包括海上导弹防御、空中及防空训练、反潜作战、网络防御等。

时任朝鲜劳动党中央军事委员会副委员长朴正天去年9月发表谈话，谴责“自由之刃”联演是侵略战争演习。

Democratic newcomer scores runoff upset in Oklahoma, vows to impeach Trump if elected

August 25, 2026 9:01pm EDT / Fox News

N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas, a nurse with no political experience, defeated four rivals to face Rep Kevin Hern in November

By Alex Miller, Fox News

A political newcomer just scored a victory in ruby-red Oklahoma, and, if elected, she would put all her energy into impeaching President Donald Trump.

N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas, a nurse who has never run for office before, bested Jim Priest, a lawyer and nonprofit executive, in the runoff race for the Democratic Senate nomination in Oklahoma. Thomas, though a new face, scored the highest percentage of votes in the June primary contest that featured five total candidates vying for the nomination.

It tees up a battle against history in Oklahoma, where voters haven’t sent a Democrat to the Senate in more than three decades.

PRIMARY TAKEAWAYS: DEMS’ LEFT-CENTER BATTLE INTENSIFIES AS SCHUMER TAKES ANOTHER HIT; SPLIT DECISION FOR TRUMP

N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas and supporters(REUTERS)

And Thomas, who lists a host of policy proposals on her campaign website, including beefing up teacher pay, restoring Roe v. Wade, and expanding Obamacare, among other boilerplate Democratic proposals, also wants to accomplish one thing in the early days of her Senate career: impeaching Trump.

During an interview with NPR affiliate KOSU last month, Thomas was asked about the Republican nominee, Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., and his “fierce” backing of Trump, and how, if elected, she would approach a working relationship with the president.

“Like I said, I’m kind, not nice. So I will make sure that I work as diligently as I can to make sure that within my first 100 days that we impeach, remove and convict,” Thomas said. “They will have to pry that pen out of my cold, dead hands before I go any further with allowing this administration to continue doing what they’re doing.”

DEM SENATE CANDIDATE CALLS TO ‘SHUT THE WHITE HOUSE DOWN,’ IMPEACH 2 SUPREME COURT JUSTICES

https://www.foxnews.com/video/6398457764112

“So, I mean, hopefully that’s a good answer,” she continued. “But I am going to remove, impeach, remove and convict. That’s it. Like that’s all. That’s the answer.”

First, she’d have to survive Election Night in November against Hern, a tall task given that Trump won Oklahoma by nearly 35 points in 2024.

Though Thomas has pulled off two underdog performances, earning roughly 45% of the vote during her first go-round for the Democratic nomination and then defeating Priest with no political experience, Hern is a different matter.

DARLINE GRAHAM FACES MAKE-OR-BREAK GOP RUNOFF IN HISTORIC BID TO KEEP BROTHER’S SENATE SEAT

Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., talks with reporters outside the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 11, 2025.(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc.)

He’s amassed an impressive campaign war chest that at one point peaked at nearly $10 million so far this cycle. Thomas, however, has raised just shy of $60,000.

He also boasts the endorsement of Trump and has touted his desire to pass the president’s biggest policy priority, the SAVE America Act.

Hern noted in a statement to Fox News Digital that Oklahomans “love President Trump and the America First Agenda.”

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“Socialist Democrats like N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas are wildly out of touch with the values of Oklahomans and the direction they want our country moving toward,” Hern said. “President Trump and Republicans are focused on delivering results. N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas and the radical left are focused on partisan politics against a president Oklahomans overwhelmingly elected.”

Alex Miller is a writer for Fox News Digital covering the U.S. Senate.

Hochul remains defiant after sheriffs sue over law banning cooperation with ICE: ‘Bring it on’

2026-08-25T21:36:05-04:00 / Fox News

Rensselaer County sheriff argues the law is unconstitutional as Gov Kathy Hochul dares challengers to sue

By Landon Mion Fox News

Published August 25, 2026 9:36pm EDT

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More than a dozen New York sheriffs are suing over a state law prohibiting law enforcement from entering into or maintaining certain agreements with ICE for civil immigration enforcement, as Gov. Kathy Hochul dared the agency heads to “bring it on.”

A federal lawsuit led by Rensselaer County Sheriff Kyle Bourgault argues that the law is unconstitutional and unlawfully restricts elected sheriffs’ ability to enter into federally authorized immigration-enforcement agreements.

“Today, Kathy Hochul escalated her administration’s war on the police and she expanded polices to put criminals before the citizens of New York,” Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin said on Tuesday.

The Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, which Hochul signed in May, took effect on Tuesday, barring local and state law enforcement agencies from entering into partnerships with federal authorities to assist on civil immigration matters. The law also bars new agreements to house civil immigration detainees; existing detention agreements must be terminated under their applicable termination provisions within three months of the law’s effective date.

BORDER CZAR HOMAN VOWS TO ‘FLOOD’ NEW YORK WITH ICE AGENTS DESPITE HOCHUL’S RESISTANCE

More than a dozen New York sheriffs are suing over a state law prohibiting law enforcement from cooperating with ICE.(Adam Gray/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Police may still assist ICE in cases of violent or other forms of non-immigration crime, but officers may not divert local resources to help with civil immigration enforcement as part of an effort to advance President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda.

Hochul threatened to sue localities that refuse to end cooperation agreements with ICE, setting up a confrontation between herself and her Republican challenger, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, as his county is among those with agreements with ICE.

“No county executive should think that they are above the law in the state of New York,” Hochul said at a press conference on Tuesday.

She said any police department or sheriff’s office that ignores the law and maintains an agreement with ICE will face legal action.

“And to those suing us, those trying to block the implementation of this law who’ve tried before and failed, our law has already been upheld by the courts, but if you try me again, I say, bring it on,” the governor declared.

FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS NEW YORK LAW BANNING ICE AGENTS FROM WEARING MASKS

The law, which the governor signed in May, took effect on Tuesday.(John Moore/Getty Images)

New York Attorney General Letitia James also issued subpoenas to law enforcement agencies that either did not confirm plans to end their agreements or failed to provide what her office viewed as a satisfactory response. The subpoenas were sent to the sheriff’s offices of Broome, Steuben, Nassau and Rensselaer counties, as well as the Nassau County Police Department.

If the agencies fail to comply, the attorney general is vowing to file a civil suit, a spokesperson for her office told CBS News.

Hochul has said law enforcement will assist ICE “only if a real crime has been committed” but officers cannot use resources to help on civil immigration matters.

“Because we need local cops hunting down criminals, not kindergartners. Breaking up drug rings, not breaking up families. Arresting gun runners, not grandmas,” Hochul said.

Blakeman, who held a press conference at the same time as Hochul’s, did not address whether he would comply with the state’s orders, but he later told the New York Post he would “probably” join the sheriffs’ lawsuit.

New York Attorney General Letitia James also issued subpoenas to law enforcement agencies that did not confirm plans to end their agreements with ICE.(REUTERS/David Dee Delgado)

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[image_5]

He has previously defended working with ICE to remove illegal immigrants, claiming at a recent event with Trump that about 2,000 of these individuals in his county have criminal records.

“Kathy Hochul, where do you want those guns? What neighborhood do you want to destroy? Where do you want those drugs? What community do you want to destroy? Where do you want those illegal immigrants with criminal records to live? You want it back in New York? We say no,” Blakeman said at the time.

The Department of Homeland Security said Hochul “must stop putting politics above public safety.”

“This type of insanity leads to more crimes and more innocent victims,” a department spokesperson told the New York Post.

Trump endorsement boosts sister of late Lindsey Graham to historic runoff victory

August 25, 2026 9:08pm EDT / Fox News

MAGA Inc dumped over $800K into a last-minute phone campaign to boost the late Lindsey Graham’s sister

By Alex Miller, Paul Steinhauser

https://www.foxnews.com/video/6404050936112

Darline Graham says she will ‘work hard’ to earn Norman supporters’ trust, support in victory speech

Darline Graham, R-S.C., offers victory speech to supporters after winning primary runoff for South Carolina’s open U.S. Senate seat against Ralph Norman.

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A powerful name and an endorsement from President Donald Trump proved more than enough to score an unlikely candidate a win in the latest runoff election in South Carolina.

Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., toppled Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., in a whirlwind race to replace her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, as the GOP nominee for the Senate after his sudden death in July.

Just a little over a month after his death at 71 years old, South Carolinians opted to stick with a familiar name in Graham, who despite having little political experience prior to her appointment to finish out the remainder of her brother’s term, scored Trump’s coveted endorsement.

DARLINE GRAHAM FACES MAKE-OR-BREAK GOP RUNOFF IN HISTORIC BID TO KEEP BROTHER’S SENATE SEAT

Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., listens to a question at a campaign event at Holt Bros BBQ in Florence, S.C., on Aug. 19, 2026.(Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

Though her appointment by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster was viewed as temporary, Trump pushed her to run beyond the five months left in her brother’s term.

“Darline is somebody I’ve known for a long time,” Trump said during a rally for her in Myrtle Beach last week. “I asked her to do this. I said, ‘Darline, you got to do it,’ because everyone loves her. Everyone respects her.”

“So I’ve known her through Lindsey — I’ve known her for so long,” he continued. “I think Lindsey respected Darline more than any other person he knows, including me.”

LINDSEY GRAHAM’S SISTER ADMITS SHE’S ‘NOT THAT INFORMED ON NATIONAL SECURITY’ WHILE SEEKING FULL SENATE TERM

https://www.foxnews.com/video/6403158131112

And Trump sent in last-minute financial reinforcements to help her, following a gaffe during her final debate with Norman when she admitted that she had little knowledge of the strategic importance of Taiwan.

Graham has styled herself as a much different politician than her brother, focused more on domestic issues than foreign.

Trump’s mammoth, $400 million campaign war chest through MAGA Inc., which has largely been untapped this cycle despite a handful of Senate races shifting in power dynamics across the country, dumped over $800,000 into a phone campaign in support of Graham over the weekend, according to campaign finance records.

While Graham styled herself as a more home front than abroad focused candidate, she made one thing clear through debates and limited campaign time: a vote for her was a vote for the Trump agenda.

RALPH NORMAN SUGGESTS SPECIAL GOP PRIMARY RUNOFF RIVAL DARLINE GRAHAM IS THE ESTABLISHMENT’S CHOSEN CANDIDATE

President Donald Trump leaves the stage after speaking at a campaign rally with Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., on Aug. 21, 2026, in Myrtle Beach, S.C.(Getty Images)

She targeted Norman for bucking House Republican leadership, and, at times, Trump, but noted, “We already have enough problem Democrats, we don’t need a problem Republican.”

And though she’s only been in the Senate for a handful of weeks, Graham argued to voters that she’d done more than Norman had in his entire congressional career, touting the passage of the long-awaited bipartisan Russia sanctions package initially pushed by her brother, but at times slowed by the White House.

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“I was in Washington for only two weeks before I passed the Russia and Iran Sanctions Act through the Senate,” Graham said. “I then passed the deciding vote to confirm President Trump’s attorney general, Todd Blanche.”

“Simply put, I’ve done more in 20 days than Ralph Norman has done in 20 years.”

Despite the bruising battle between Norman and Graham, Norman said he would be throwing his support behind her following his loss Tuesday, and planned to call Graham to say congratulations.

https://www.foxnews.com/video/6404051964112

“As I said earlier, I’m going to support the Republican. I’m not supporting a Democrat. So, I will support her – Darline – as best I can,” Norman said during his concession speech Tuesday evening.

Alex Miller is a writer for Fox News Digital covering the U.S. Senate.

Father of sailor aboard US aircraft carrier freed from immigration detention

2026-08-26 01:32:15 UTC / Reuters

By Kanishka Singh and Steve Gorman

August 26, 2026 1:32 AM UTC Updated 2 hours ago

Joshua Aviles, a U.S. sailor deployed in the Middle East during the Iran war, stands next to his immigrant father, who was taken into federal immigration detention, according to what the sailor said in a Facebook post, as they pose for a picture in an unknown location, in this undated image obtained from social media. Joshua… Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tabRead more

• Summary
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• Warship crewman went public with father’s arrest over weekend
• Nicaraguan immigrant had work permit, driver’s license, son said
• DHS: Family ties to U.S. military not a ‘free pass’

WASHINGTON, Aug 25 (Reuters) – A Nicaraguan immigrant ​taken into custody by U.S. Border Patrol agents while his son, a U.S. Navy sailor, ‌was deployed at sea aboard an aircraft carrier during the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, was freed from detention, his family said on Tuesday.

The family’s announcement on Facebook that Luis Manuel Aviles Roa had been released came three days after Joshua Aviles ​went public about his father’s arrest, lamenting the heartbreak he felt serving his country while his ​father was locked away.

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In his Facebook post on Saturday, Joshua Aviles said his father ⁠was picked up by immigration authorities despite having a driver’s license, Social Security card and work permit, ​and had been waiting to obtain a “green card” granting him permanent legal U.S. residency.

“I’ve been deployed for over ​nine months, out at sea in the Middle East aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, fighting for a country that has given me everything,” the sailor wrote. “I don’t know how I can mentally continue working 12+ hour days knowing that my dad ​is somewhere, possibly being treated like a criminal.”

Border Patrol agents arrested the sailor’s father after conducting a ​vehicle stop in Key West, Florida, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

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The DHS, parent agency of the Border ‌Patrol, said ⁠Luis Manuel Aviles Roa had entered the U.S. illegally and would remain in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention pending removal proceedings.

“Having a family member in the military is not a free pass to violate our nation’s laws,” the DHS said in its statement on Sunday.

But an update posted on Tuesday to the son’s Facebook ​account said: “Luis has been ​released back to his ⁠family,” adding, “We are grateful for all of the support for both Luis and Josh throughout this situation.” No explanation was offered for the change in the father’s ​status.

Neither the DHS nor ICE immediately responded to a Reuters request for comment.

The ​Abraham Lincoln, which ⁠left the Middle East on Saturday, made recent headlines in separate news reports about challenges the crew faced during the ship’s lengthy deployment for the Iran war, having not made a port of call in more than ⁠200 days.

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https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/father-sailor-aboard-us-aircraft-carrier-freed-immigration-detention-2026-08-26/

Democratic ​lawmakers have said the aircraft carrier set a modern-day record ​for consecutive days at sea, an issue that gained national attention after sailors’ families raised concerns about worsening conditions on the warship.

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Reporting by ​Kanishka Singh in Washington; Writing and additional reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Trump-endorsed candidate clears key hurdle in red state gubernatorial race

August 25, 2026 11:05pm EDT / Fox News

The former state senator campaigned on eliminating Oklahoma’s income tax in six years and cutting property taxes

By Leo Briceno Fox News

Mike Mazzei, a former Oklahoma state senator and financial planner, won a primary election runoff on Tuesday evening with the backing of President Donald Trump to secure the GOP nomination for governor in Oklahoma.

Having beaten out Genter Drummond, the current Oklahoma attorney general, Mazzei is now the heavy favorite to become the Sooner State’s next governor. His win is also a political victory for outgoing Gov. Kevin Stitt, who has opposed Drummond for years.

Stitt and Drummond have sparred over lawsuits, pointed letters and public criticisms. At one point, Stitt even described Drummond as a “longtime political enemy” in a quote to local outlets.

TRUMP-BACKED CANDIDATE SPARKS RUNOFF AGAINST POPULAR PROSECUTOR IN KEY GUBERNATORIAL RACE

Gov. Kevin Stitt, R-Okla., (left) and Oklahoma Attorney General Genter Drummond disagree on whether the First Amendment allows the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board to grant St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Charter School public funding.(Getty/AP)

The feud between them centers on Drummond’s attacks of Oklahoma poultry companies for what he sees as decades of phosphorus pollution in water supplies. Stitt has rebuffed those characterizations, calling them an overreach of Drummond’s role as attorney general and warning that litigation against the companies could threaten jobs and the agricultural industry of the state.

Stitt endorsed Mazzei, stating that “we want a pro-business governor in there to take the lead for the next four years.”

Stitt is prevented by term limits from running again. His exit prompted a crowded field of hopefuls to replace him, but after an initial primary on June 2, no candidate secured the 50% support needed to lock up the nomination outright.

Only Drummond and Mazzei advanced to a runoff.

Like Stitt, President Donald Trump also endorsed Mazzei, calling him a “MAGA warrior.”

“As a successful Businessman, and former Chairman of the State Senate Finance Committee, and later, as Oklahoma’s Secretary of Budget, Mike knows the AMERICA FIRST Policies required to Grow our Economy, Create GREAT Jobs, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., and Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE,” Trump wrote in a May post to Truth Social.

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President Donald Trump speaks during an event in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. Trump hosted the Rose Garden event to celebrate the administration’s efforts on school choice.(Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Mazzei based his campaign on promises to cut taxes, among other state-government reforms.

“I have a detailed plan to eliminate Oklahoma’s income tax in six years. I have a plan to eliminate property taxes for seniors and veterans,” Mazzei said in a campaign video posted to Instagram.

In addition to tax reforms, Mazzei highlighted preventing foreign nationals from buying up state land, bolstering the Oklahoma education system and government spending accountability.

In turn, Mazzei tried to paint Drummond as a fake Republican with a penchant for expanding government.

“His solution to every problem is to raise taxes and grow government,” Mazzei said.

“He doesn’t understand money and finance. Crunching numbers is a skill you pick up when you earn your wealth rather than inherit it.”

In his own campaign, Drummond, a multigenerational rancher and former fighter pilot, highlighted his record as attorney general. On his website, he touted having confronted Chinese criminal operations growing illegal marijuana farms, shutting down thousands of their illegal grow operations and enforcing immigration law.

“As a tough-on-crime attorney general and decorated fighter pilot, I have proven I will always fight for our freedom and defend our values,” Drummond said in a campaign video.

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Oklahoma state lawmaker Mike Mazzei gestures to reporters.(Nathan Fish/IMAGN)

“I’ll keep standing strong with President Trump to secure the border, deport illegals and stop the flow of drugs and crime,” Drummond said.

The Club for Growth, a pro-small-government group that advocates for lower taxes and free-market principles and contributed $9 million in support of Mazzei, praised his win.

“Mike Mazzei is a principled conservative who will advocate for lower taxes, fewer regulations, and for Oklahoma parents to have a voice in their children’s education,” Club for Growth PAC President David McIntosh said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“Meanwhile, Gentner Drummond has spent his career putting radical education bureaucrats ahead of families by opposing school freedom. The message is clear, if you oppose school freedom and call yourself a Republican, expect to lose your next primary.”

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Having cleared the primary, Mazzei will face off against Democratic nominee Cyndi Munson, House minority leader in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The general election is set for Nov. 3.

Leo Briceno is a politics reporter for the congressional team at Fox News Digital. He was previously a reporter with World Magazine.