Oklahoma Watch
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The dust has settled on the June 16 primary, but election season is far from over.
The August 25 runoff looms in races where no candidate secured a majority of votes. Then comes Nov. 3, when most statewide offices and dozens of congressional and legislative races will appear on the general election ballot.
If the leadup to the primary was any indicator, campaigns and outside groups will once again start bombarding voters with text messages ahead of the August runoff.
Political campaigns and outside groups spent at least $309,000 on dedicated text messaging services ahead of last week’s election, according to reports filed with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. That number is likely to increase when the most recent campaign finance reports come due on June 30.
The barrage of text messages sent to voters, myself included, raises questions. How are these campaigns and outside groups getting your phone number? What, if any, regulations are there on this kind of campaigning? Is there any way to stop it?
I hope to answer those questions, and others, in an upcoming story. To assist, I’m asking for some help from newsletter subscribers. Did you notice any usual text message activity ahead of the June primary? That could include:
If so, I’d ask you to reach out to me at [email protected]. Screenshots are especially helpful.
As always, I’m also available for unrelated story ideas, tips or comments.
— Keaton Ross
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by Keaton Ross, Oklahoma Watch
June 22, 2026
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