Elk City, OK – Republican gubernatorial candidate Charles A. McCall says his top priorities as governor would be eliminating Oklahoma’s personal income tax, improving education outcomes and reshaping the executive branch to “work for the people.”
McCall, former Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, appeared this week on The Early Morning Show on 96.5 KECO ahead of a campaign stop in Elk City.
A sixth generation Oklahoman from Atoka, McCall graduated from Atoka High School in 1988 and later earned a degree in finance and economics from the University of Oklahoma. He works in community banking, with his family operating multiple locations in southern Oklahoma and north Texas.
McCall said he never initially planned on a career in public service. He first served on his local city council and later as mayor of Atoka before running for House District 22 in 2012. At the time, no Republican had ever won the seat. McCall won by 235 votes and went on to serve 12 years in the Legislature, including eight years as Speaker of the House.
As Speaker, McCall said he worked to rebuild state reserves, cut taxes and invest in key areas.
“We got our reserves from zero to five billion dollars, cut taxes on people, made historic investments in education, gave three teacher pay raises, and made historic investments in law enforcement, roads and bridges,” McCall said.
He argued Oklahoma is “on the cusp” of significant growth, noting the state’s recent population increases and economic expansion.
If elected governor, McCall said his first action would be meeting with agency heads across state government.
“They are working for the people of the state of Oklahoma,” he said. “Anyone not on board with that plan, I’m going to make a change.”
Among his policy goals, McCall said he wants to eliminate the state’s personal income tax, calling it “the biggest holdback for our state economically.” He also pledged to keep ad valorem taxes low and maintain the homestead freeze for Oklahomans age 62 and older.
On education, McCall said Oklahoma’s ranking near the bottom nationally is unacceptable.
“We will not be 50th,” he said. “If Mississippi can be 15th best in the country, Oklahoma can be the very best.”
He also cited cracking down on illegal marijuana grows and removing foreign cartel involvement as a priority.
McCall described himself as a conservative influenced by his Christian faith, his family and leaders such as President Donald J. Trump and former President Ronald Reagan. He said he believes “conservative policy works and traditional values work.”
McCall is one of several Republicans seeking the nomination for governor in 2026. Gov. Kevin Stitt cannot seek re election due to term limits.
Key election dates include candidate filing April 1 through April 3, 2026, the primary election June 16, 2026, a potential runoff August 25, 2026, and the general election November 3, 2026.
Other Republicans who have entered the race include Attorney General Gentner Drummond, former state senator Mike Mazzei, Jake Merrick, Leisa Mitchell Haynes, Kenneth Sturgell and Chip Keating.
On the Democratic side, declared candidates include House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson and Arya Azma.
McCall told KECO listeners that voters can expect honesty and transparency.
“I’m a no nonsense guy,” he said. “Roll up the sleeves. Get things done.”
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