Gentner Drummond

Gentner Drummond
Born	Gentner Frederick Drummond 1 10, 1963
Birthplace	Stillwater, Oklahoma, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Attorney, businessman, rancher, politician
Title	20th Attorney General of Oklahoma
Known for	20th Attorney General of Oklahoma; military service in the Gulf War
Education	Georgetown University Law Center (JD)
Children	1
Awards	Distinguished Flying Cross
Website	[drummondok.com Official site]

Gentner Frederick Drummond (born October 1, 1963) is an American attorney, businessman, rancher, and politician serving as the 20th Attorney General of Oklahoma since January 9, 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Drummond was elected in 2022 after defeating incumbent John M. O'Connor in a closely contested Republican primary. Before entering politics, Drummond served as an officer in the United States Air Force, flying combat missions during the Gulf War and earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. He subsequently earned a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center while working for U.S. Senator David Boren, and later established a legal practice and business interests in Oklahoma, including ownership of Blue Sky Bank and Drummond Communications. Born into the prominent Drummond family of Oklahoma, he has built a career spanning military service, law, banking, and public office. As attorney general, Drummond has drawn attention for positions that sometimes diverge from the rightward direction of Oklahoma Republican politics, including opposition to a religious charter school plan, scrutiny of high-profile criminal convictions, and environmental enforcement actions against major poultry corporations. In 2026, he announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Governor of Oklahoma.

Early Life

Gentner Frederick Drummond was born on October 1, 1963, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He is a member of the Drummond family, one of Oklahoma's most prominent ranching and business dynasties. He grew up in the Stillwater area, where the Drummond family had long-established roots in cattle ranching and land ownership across north-central Oklahoma.

As a young man in Oklahoma, Drummond was active in the Boy Scouts of America and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He attended Oklahoma State University, where he completed his undergraduate education, graduating in 1985.

Education

Drummond graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1985. After completing his military service, he pursued a law degree at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., earning his Juris Doctor in 1995. During his time at Georgetown, he worked on the staff of U.S. Senator David Boren of Oklahoma.

Career

Military Service

Upon graduating from Oklahoma State University in 1985, Drummond entered the United States Air Force, where he trained as a fighter pilot. He served on active duty from 1985 to 1993, ultimately reaching the rank of Captain.

Drummond saw combat during the Gulf War in 1991 as part of Operation Desert Storm. He flew missions during the conflict, an experience he later recounted in detail to Oklahoma media outlets. His service in the Gulf War earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross, one of the highest awards for aerial achievement or heroism in the U.S. military.

After returning from the Gulf War, Drummond continued his military service before leaving the Air Force in 1993. He described the return to Oklahoma as a homecoming of personal significance.

Legal and Business Career

After earning his law degree from Georgetown in 1995, Drummond returned to Oklahoma and entered the legal profession. He initially worked at a local law firm before taking a position as an assistant district attorney in Pawnee and Osage Counties, gaining experience in criminal prosecution. He subsequently founded Drummond Law, his own legal practice.

Beyond the law, Drummond became involved in business ventures across multiple sectors. He became the principal owner of Blue Sky Bank and Drummond Communications, expanding the family's business portfolio into banking and telecommunications. His career as a lawyer, banker, rancher, and entrepreneur led the Tulsa World to profile him under the headline "Renaissance Man," noting the breadth of his professional activities.

2018 Attorney General Campaign

Drummond first sought the office of Oklahoma Attorney General in 2018. He competed in the Republican primary election held on June 26, 2018, in a crowded field of candidates. The primary resulted in a runoff election held on August 28, 2018, in which Drummond narrowly lost.

During the 2018 campaign, Drummond drew controversy for a political advertisement that referenced the killing of Iowa college student Mollie Tibbetts in the context of immigration policy. The ad sparked outrage from Tibbetts' family, who objected to the use of their daughter's death for political purposes, and critics accused the advertisement of promoting a "racist, false narrative."

2022 Attorney General Campaign

Following the resignation of Attorney General Mike Hunter in 2021, Drummond announced his candidacy for the 2022 Republican primary for attorney general. His opponent was the incumbent, John M. O'Connor, who had been appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt to fill the vacancy left by Hunter's departure.

The 2022 primary campaign was contentious. During a June 2022 debate, the two candidates exchanged sharp attacks. Drummond and O'Connor clashed over a range of issues, with Drummond positioning himself as a more independent-minded Republican who would not serve as an extension of the governor's office. The campaign also featured disputes over political donations, with one exchange centering on a refunded donation to Joe Biden's presidential campaign that became the subject of attack advertisements.

On June 28, 2022, Drummond defeated O'Connor in the Republican primary, a result that amounted to a rebuke of the Stitt-aligned incumbent. Multiple news outlets described the race as a closely watched contest that reflected broader tensions within the Oklahoma Republican Party between allies of Governor Stitt and those who sought a more independent state government. Drummond went on to win the general election in November 2022 in the heavily Republican state.

Attorney General of Oklahoma

Drummond took office as the 20th Attorney General of Oklahoma on January 9, 2023, succeeding O'Connor. As attorney general, he has taken positions on a number of issues that have distinguished him from the state's Republican establishment, drawing both praise from moderates and criticism from the party's right flank.

Religious Charter Schools

One of Drummond's most notable actions as attorney general has been his opposition to the establishment of publicly funded religious charter schools in Oklahoma. He challenged the approval of the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, a Catholic-run charter school that the state's virtual charter school board had approved. Drummond argued that the use of public funds for a religiously affiliated charter school violated both the Oklahoma Constitution and the U.S. Constitution's Establishment Clause. The case drew national attention as a test of the boundaries between church and state in public education.

Criminal Justice and Executions

As attorney general, Drummond has been noted for a more deliberate approach to the state's death penalty cases. He has slowed the pace of executions compared to his predecessors and has pushed for reviews of certain high-profile convictions, reflecting a willingness to examine potential issues with past prosecutorial conduct.

Environmental Enforcement

Drummond pursued significant environmental litigation against major poultry corporations over pollution in the Illinois River watershed. In December 2025, following a federal court judgment holding major poultry corporations responsible for phosphorus pollution, Drummond renewed his call for a settlement to address the environmental damage.

In February 2026, Drummond secured more than $25 million in combined settlements with Tyson Foods, Cargill, and other poultry companies over the pollution of Oklahoma waterways with poultry litter. The settlements represented a significant outcome in environmental enforcement for the state.

Human Trafficking Enforcement

In February 2026, Drummond announced $1 million in grants to five Oklahoma organizations working to combat human trafficking and assist survivors. The funding was described as part of the attorney general's efforts to strengthen the state's response to human trafficking.

Federal Regulatory Issues

Drummond has engaged with federal regulatory policy, particularly on issues affecting Oklahoma industries. In February 2026, he expressed support for a proposal by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Trump administration to roll back a Biden-era rule on industrial chemical accident prevention, known as the Risk Management Program rule. Drummond argued that the Biden-era regulation imposed unnecessary burdens on facilities using hazardous substances.

2026 Gubernatorial Campaign

Drummond is a candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor of Oklahoma in the 2026 gubernatorial election. His candidacy builds on the independent profile he cultivated as attorney general, positioning himself as a Republican willing to challenge the direction taken by Governor Stitt and the party's conservative wing.

The campaign has not been without complications. In January 2026, the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association rescinded its earlier gubernatorial endorsement of Drummond, a notable development given the importance of the ranching industry to Oklahoma politics and Drummond's own background as a rancher.

Personal Life

Drummond has one child. He resides at the McBirney Mansion in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Prior to entering public office, a legal dispute arose involving Drummond and the cutting of trees on federal land. The case was ultimately dismissed after a settlement was reached.

Drummond is a member of the Drummond family, a multi-generational Oklahoma family with extensive ranching and business interests across the state. The family is among the largest landowners in Oklahoma.

Recognition

Drummond's military service during the Gulf War earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross, one of the premier military decorations for aerial achievement in the United States Armed Forces.

He has been featured in Oklahoma media for his diverse career spanning military service, law, banking, ranching, and politics. Oklahoma Magazine included him in a feature on prominent Oklahomans.

As attorney general, Drummond's $25 million settlement with poultry corporations over environmental pollution was noted as one of the largest environmental enforcement actions in Oklahoma's recent history.