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Oklahoma
Posted: Aug 07, 2026 9:09 AMUpdated: Aug 07, 2026 9:13 AM
Gubernatorial Candidate Mike Mazzei Outlines Tax Elimination Plan, Smelter Clarifications, and Education Priorities
Tom Davis
Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei appeared Friday morning on KWON’s Community Connection alongside former legislative colleagues John Ford and Earl Sears to outline his campaign vision, tax proposals, and education policy ahead of the upcoming August 25 Republican primary runoff.
Ford highlighted his 12-years of serving in the Oklahoma State Senate alongside Mazzei, as well as 15 years as a financial client. Sears spoke about their four years collaborating on state budget development.
During the broadcast, Mazzei pointed to his private-sector background managing $1.7 billion in assets through Trinity Strategic Wealth, as well as his endorsement from President Donald Trump and support from key Oklahoma conservative leaders. Mazzei holds a bachelor’s degree in government and politics from George Mason University and attended the College of Financial Planning. He previously founded The Financial Coach Inc. and currently serves as chairman and CEO of Tulsa-based Trinity Strategic Wealth. He and his wife reside in Tulsa, have five adult children, and are active members of Asbury Church.
Mazzei addressed questions from a recentlly televised forum regarding a proposed aluminum smelter at the Port of Inola. Mazzei dismissed rumors raised during the debate. He clarified that his brother’s firm, Wallace Engineering, has no connection to the project."They haven't even gotten through the permitting process yet, so there haven't been any requests for proposals," Mazzei said. "It was bizarre. I was astonished that a moderator would take the Drummond bait like that."
Mazzei believes that economic development and environmental safety can coexist, drawing a parallel to Oklahoma's energy sector. He said the estimated the $10 billion-plus development could create up to 10,000 high-paying jobs and generate a 10% boost to the state’s economy. To address public safety concerns, Mazzei proposed hiring an independent third-party evaluator to continuously monitor local air and water quality.
Mazzei outlined a tax reform plan anchored by a reduction of the state income tax rate from 4.5% to 3% in Year 1. He presented a revenue-neutral strategy to offset the reduction by eliminating approximately $2 billion in non-essential tax giveaways and exemptions, while assuring voters that key sales tax exemptions for agricultural and manufacturing production would remain intact.
Mazzei also proposed phasing out property taxes for seniors and military veterans over three years. Calling taxes on unrealized property value increases unfair to fixed-income residents, he noted that senior property taxes represent roughly 10% of county tax bases. Mazzei explained that projected organic property value growth of 4% to 6% annually would yield a net 2% to 3% increase in local revenues, ensuring school bonds and municipal services remain fully funded.
Expressing dissatisfaction with Oklahoma’s national education rankings (currently 49th), Mazzei unveiled a three-point literacy model modeled after Mississippi’s recent reforms:
- Appoint a statewide literacy director within his first week in office, citing Mississippi’s dramatic rise in national reading scores.
- Phonics & Support: Mandate phonics-based reading curricula statewide while deploying dedicated reading coaches and support staff across local school districts.
- Student Accountability: Re-establish the "Third-Grade Reading Gate" to ensure students demonstrate reading proficiency before advancing to fourth grade.
Mazzei will face Attorney General Gentner Drummond in the Republican primary runoff on August 25.
More information about the campaign is available at MikeForOK.com.
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