As a Republican, Oklahoma Governor-elect Mike Mazzei said there was good reason to be disappointed in the outcomes of this week’s national elections, which gave Democrats control of Congress as well as many state governorships and state legislatures.

But Mazzei said there is a silver lining for Oklahoma: Now Oklahoma, which defied national trends by giving continued strong state control to Republicans, can be an even more attractive place to relocate both families and businesses.

“To our fellow Americans in Texas and elsewhere, shocked and concerned by last night’s results and worried about higher taxes, the siren song of socialism—which leads to less freedom, lower energy supplies and economic destruction—we bid you: Come to Oklahoma,” Mazzei said. “Here, we stand like a beacon of light to welcome freedom-loving patriots who believe in lower taxes, creating jobs, and making life more affordable to pursue the American dream. I will be out pounding the pavement to recruit great companies and great Americans to come to Oklahoma.”

In neighboring Texas, Republicans have held the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature since 2003, but this week’s elections gave Democrats control of both the Texas governor’s office and the Texas House of Representatives.

In at least five states, Democrats took the governor’s office back from Republican control, and Democrats also appear likely to have seized control of at least one chamber of a state legislature in several states where Republicans previously were the majority, including Arizona and Georgia, two states that also elected or re-elected Democratic governors.

That means several states that were previously among Oklahoma’s toughest economic competitors may soon have their status downgraded because of liberal policies, Mazzei noted.

His goal is to make sure Oklahoma stands out as an alternative, a place where work and investment are both welcomed and rewarded.

Since 2020, Oklahoma has consistently been among the states drawing the most movers from other parts of the country, often ranking among the top 10 states for domestic migration, or just outside the top 10.

Mazzei hopes that pattern will continue and even accelerate during his term thanks to the policies Republicans advance. He said the state defied national political trends this year because Oklahoma Republicans focused on the issues that voters cared about the most.

“We were focused on everyday issues for everyday Oklahomans to make life more affordable and raise wages faster than the rate of inflation by creating great, high-paying jobs,” Mazzei said.

The governor-elect noted that he campaigned on eliminating Oklahoma’s personal income tax, abolishing property taxes for seniors and veterans, cutting the cost of home and car insurance, improving K-12 students’ reading skills, and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in state government.

“These priorities will launch a wave of growth and rising wages,” Mazzei said. “Oklahoma is open for business.”

Photo credit: mikeforok.com