Oklahoma Senate reluctant to approve some gubernatorial nominations | Community

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt expressed his concerns Friday that the Senate would not confirm six of his nominees to serve in his cabinet and other oversight positions.

Stitt said his office received emails and text messages indicating the Senate would not confirm two Cabinet picks, his pick for executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce or three people he appointed to serve on boards overseeing education, libraries and wildlife .

“The people of Oklahoma elected me governor to present my values ​​to boards and commissions and lead various agencies,” Stitt said. “I think we need these great Oklahomans at the finish line to serve to the best of our ability.”

Some of Stitt’s nominations require Senate confirmation. The nomination is usually carried by the senator in whose district the candidate lives.

In the past, the Senate typically rubber-stamped gubernatorial nominations.

However, Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat of Oklahoma City announced a more thorough review.

Stitt said his nomination of Dr. Corey Finch was met with resistance. He selected him to be secretary of the health and mental health cabinet.

Stitt said Finch would be the first African American to hold the position. Finch is a veteran, a physician and a business owner, Stitt said.

Stitt said the Senate opposes the confirmation of Dr. Deborah Shropshire as cabinet secretary for human services. Stitt said she worked at the Department of Human Services for several years, particularly in the area of ​​child welfare advocacy, before being tapped to lead the agency.

He said it was “strange” that she would not be able to serve in his government.

In March, Stitt and three of his cabinet secretaries, including Shropshire, sued Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, challenging his interpretation of the rules governing dual positions.

Drummond issued an opinion stating that cabinet secretaries could not hold two positions, which resulted in the immediate resignation of two people.

Stitt also hired Heather Turner, president of the Jenks Chamber of Commerce, as executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

“We urged her to come and serve the state in this capacity,” Stitt said. – And so she spent four weeks there. I wouldn’t want her to be fired from this position. That’s why I’m looking forward to this vote also taking place in the hall.”

Treat said Thursday there were “really big concerns” about Turner, but Sen. Dave Rader of Tulsa was inclined to support her nomination. The content has not been described in detail.

Stitt appointed Alex Gray to the State Board of Education. Stitt said Gray previously worked in the Trump administration.

“Alex Gray is one of the smartest guys I know, and he wants to give back to the state,” Stitt said.

Stitt also appointed Audrey Katigan to the board of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and Leigh Gaddis to the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Gaddis currently chairs the commission and was first appointed by Gov. Mary Fallin in 2014.

Earlier this year, Senator Carri Hicks, R-Oklahoma City, announced that she would not be carrying the nominations of Gray and Katigan, citing qualifications concerns.

Stitt said it’s difficult to get qualified people to serve.

“We have a week left,” Stitt said. “So we hope that we can cross the finish line with all the good Oklahomans who come to serve their state.”

On Friday, Treat was asked about Stitt’s comments.

“Senators take seriously their responsibility to confirm leadership nominees,” Treat said. “We have already confirmed a significant number of them, and I have personally guided some of them through the process.

“It takes time to fully vet each nominee, and the Senate is doing its job, as it always has, to fulfill that responsibility.”

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