By Cara Cowan Watts, Cherokee411.com
August Primary Runoff Results and Corrections
Following our earlier roundup of Cherokee Nation citizens serving in Oklahoma state government and on the 2026 ballot, Cherokee411.com offers the following corrections, additions, and updates based on new information and the results of the August 25, 2026, Republican primary runoff elections. All candidates listed below will appear on the November 3, 2026, general election ballot unless otherwise noted.
Corrections to Earlier Coverage
House District 72 – Adam Martin identified as Cherokee Nation citizen. After Cherokee411.com published its initial roundup of Cherokee Nation citizens in Oklahoma state government and on the 2026 ballot, the community identified Republican candidate Adam Martin as a recently enrolled Cherokee Nation citizen. Martin faces incumbent Rep. Michelle McCane, also a Cherokee Nation citizen and Democrat, in the November 3, 2026, general election for House District 72 — making HD72 a second Cherokee-on-Cherokee race on the November ballot, alongside the HD86 contest between David Hardin and Hannah Cole.
Martin, a Tulsa native, earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Oklahoma State University in 2020. He is the founder and owner of AdamEssieGroup LLC, a real estate investment company, and Crystal Jet Cleaning Company. He also serves as a Workforce Specialist and Community Liaison at the Tulsa Job Corps Center, where he works closely with students, staff, and community stakeholders. Over the past year, Martin spent significant time in Washington, D.C., advocating for the Tulsa Job Corps Center during federal funding deliberations, representing students’ needs and the center in public communications. He has also served as Tulsa District Chair of the African American Federation.
Martin’s campaign priorities include improving quality of life across the diverse HD72 community; championing business-friendly policies to grow jobs and economic opportunity; responsibly cutting the state income tax while protecting schools, public safety, and infrastructure; improving teacher pay and creating incentives to attract and retain educators; supporting small business through lower taxes and reduced regulations; investing in infrastructure as a foundation for economic growth; expanding access to quality, affordable health care and mental health services; and strengthening protections on foreign land ownership to protect Oklahoma farms, resources, and communities.
House District 72 is in Tulsa. Voters in that district will choose between two Cherokee Nation citizens on November 3.
House District 71 – Clinton wins re-election outright. Rep. Amanda Clinton, a Cherokee Nation citizen and Democrat representing House District 71, won re-election outright after no Republican filed. The primary and general elections for HD71 were canceled. Clinton will not appear on the November 3 ballot. She will continue to serve House District 71 in the upcoming legislative session.
House District 77 – Gabriel wins seat outright. Cherokee Nation citizen Kristina Gabriel won the House District 77 Democratic primary on June 16, 2026, defeating incumbent Rep. John Waldron, who had withdrawn from the race but remained on the ballot, by a margin of 82.8 percent to 17.2 percent, with 1,248 votes to 260. Because the Republican primary for HD77 was also canceled with no Republican filing, the general election has been canceled as well. Gabriel has won the seat and will serve in the upcoming legislative session. Voters in House District 77 do not need to cast a ballot in HD77 on November 3.
August 25, 2026, Runoff Results Affecting Cherokee Nation Citizens
Governor’s race. Republican Mike Mazzei defeated Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond by approximately 2,000 votes in the Aug. 25 Republican primary runoff, claiming the GOP nomination for governor. Neither Mazzei nor Drummond is a tribal citizen. Mazzei will face Democrat Cyndi Munson in the November 3 general election. Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Cherokee Nation citizen, is term-limited and will leave office in January 2027.
Labor Commissioner — Pfeiffer defeated! Rep. John Pfeiffer, a Cherokee Nation citizen and Republican from Mulhall, was defeated by Rep. Kevin West, Republican of Moore, in the Aug. 25 Labor Commissioner runoff. West defeated Pfeiffer by approximately 50,000 votes. West will face Democrat Kevin Dawson and Libertarian Mike Hall in the November 3 general election. Pfeiffer will also leave his House District 38 seat when his sixth and final term ends in November 2026. Cherokee411.com thanks Rep. Pfeiffer for his years of service to the people of House District 38 and for his willingness to seek higher office on behalf of Oklahomans.
Senate District 2 — Seifried on November ballot. Sen. Ally Seifried, a Cherokee Nation citizen and Republican, won her June 16 primary with 66 percent of the vote over challenger Payton Pepin and did not face a runoff. She will face Democrat Randy Cowling in the November 3 general election for Senate District 2.
Cherokee Nation Citizens on the November 3, 2026, Oklahoma Ballot
The following Cherokee Nation citizens will appear on the November 3, 2026, general election ballot in Oklahoma state races:
Ally Seifried, Republican
Oklahoma State Senate, District 2 (Claremore area)
Michelle McCane, Democrat
Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 72 (Tulsa)
Adam Martin, Republican
Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 72 (Tulsa)
David Hardin, Republican
Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 86 (Adair, Cherokee, Mayes, and Delaware counties)
Hannah Cole, Democrat
Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 86 (Adair, Cherokee, Mayes, and Delaware counties)
Christopher Wier, Democrat
Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 4
Brad Boles, Republican
Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner
Cherokee Nation Citizens Not on the November Ballot
The following Cherokee Nation citizens currently serving in Oklahoma state office will not appear on the November 3 general election ballot, either due to term limits, a primary loss, or having won their seats outright:
Gov. Kevin Stitt is term-limited and will leave office in January 2027.
Sen. Shane Jett is serving out his final term as State Senator for District 17 and is ineligible to seek reelection due to Oklahoma’s 12-year combined legislative term limit. His seat will be filled by the winner of the November 3 special election for SD17. Cherokee411.com thanks Senator Jett for his service to the people of Senate District 17.
Rep. Ken Luttrell is term-limited and will not seek reelection for House District 37. Cherokee411.com thanks Representative Luttrell for his service to the people of Ponca City and House District 37.
Rep. Amanda Clinton won re-election to House District 71 outright after no Republican filed. She will not appear on the November ballot but will continue to serve HD71 in the upcoming legislative session.
Rep. John Pfeiffer lost the Aug. 25 Republican runoff for Labor Commissioner to Rep. Kevin West and will not appear on the November ballot. His House District 38 seat ends with his sixth and final term in November 2026. Cherokee411.com thanks Representative Pfeiffer for his twelve years of service and for his willingness to seek higher office on behalf of Oklahomans.
Rep. Kristina Gabriel will not appear on the November 3 ballot for House District 77, as the general election was canceled after no Republican filed. Gabriel has won the seat and will serve in the upcoming legislative session.
Cherokee411.com will continue to track Cherokee Nation citizens in Oklahoma state government and on the ballot as the November 3, 2026, general election approaches. If we have missed a Cherokee Nation citizen in state office or on the ballot, please send tips to Cherokee411.com.
To the best of our knowledge, no citizens of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians or the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians currently serve in a State of Oklahoma elected office or appear on the 2026 state ballot. We hope to expand our coverage to include county and municipal roles within the jurisdiction of each tribe as we grow and are able to hire additional staff.
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