Former Speaker Charles McCall announces campaign for Governor

Former House Speaker Charles McCall announced his campaign for Oklahoma Governor this morning in a letter posted on Twitter/X.

McCall, a banker and former mayor from Atoka, served in the State House from 2012 to 2024, and was elected as Speaker in 2017, maintaining that post until he was term limited in 2024, becoming the longest tenured Speaker in Oklahoma history.

After deep prayer and heartfelt conversations with Stephanie and our sons, and the urging of others, I have officially filed to run for Governor of Oklahoma.

I share more here in my letter to Oklahoma ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/DUnmAYWeUO

— Charles McCall (@CharlesMcCallOK) February 18, 2025

Dear Fellow Oklahomans,

America is the greatest nation known to mankind. But our freedom is now under attack. The left and outside forces are waging war on our way of life. They assault our faith and values. They try to destroy our families, our jobs, and radicalize our schools. I believe that when liberals attack American values, they're attacking Oklahoma values too. And I'm ready to lead the fight to keep our state free and strong.

As your Republican Speaker, we beat the radical left every step of the way. We delivered historic tax cuts, passed the toughest immigration laws in the nation, enacted constitutional carry, passed parental school options, and banned boys from girls bathrooms, and so much more. Under my leadership, we were ranked the 2nd most conservative legislature in the country. Working hand-in-hand with Governor Stitt and President Trump, we have built a stronger Oklahoma rooted in an America First agenda.

I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished, but there is much more left to do. From deporting every single illegal to building the BIGGEST, BOLDEST economy in the nation, our fight is far from over. I know without a doubt we can continue our work to turn Oklahoma into the conservative model the rest of the nation strives to be.

That is why, after deep prayer and heartfelt conversations with Stephanie and our sons, and the urging of others, I have officially filed to run for Governor of Oklahoma. There will be a time soon to gather for a formal announcement where I will fully lay out a vision for even greater prosperity, but right now, I am focused on meeting with Oklahomans and listening to both their concerns and dreams for our great state.

I truly believe God put President Trump back in the White House to save our great country, and I am going to do everything I can alongside him to Make America Great Again and Keep Oklahoma Great. There is no time to waste.

As I embark on this journey and travel to your community to listen and learn, know this: for more than five generations, my family has proudly called Oklahoma home-it's who I am, it is in my bones. Rooted in our faith, committed to our community, devoted to our state, and unwavering in our love for our country. It's how I was raised, how I live, and how I treat everyone with respect, hard work, and a firm belief in doing what's right. And that is exactly how I will lead our state as your next Governor.

Yours very truly

Charles McCall

The 2026 gubernatorial campaign is in its infancy, with other public candidates including former State Sen. Mike Mazzei, Attorney General Gentner Drummond, and Leisa Mitchell Haynes, all Republicans.