Oklahoma Senate Confirms Several Stitt Leadership Appointments

The Senate approved the nomination of Nellie T. Sanders as Secretary of Education by a 42-0 vote. During her committee hearing, Sanders shared her concerns about supporting students with disabilities such as dyslexia and her commitment to data-driven solutions.

Zachary Archer was confirmed as a member of the State Board of Education by a 37-6 vote. Another board candidate, Alex Gray, did not face a committee or floor vote because no senators nominated him, even though the governor renewed his support for Gray at a news conference last week.

Susan Bergen’s nomination to the Oklahoma Board of Regents of the Colleges of Agriculture and Mechanical Engineering was rejected by a vote of 13 to 32. Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, upheld her nomination and said after the vote, “Not accepting her nomination is bad for Oklahoma and OSU.”

On Wednesday, the Senate confirmed Joshua Cockroft to two positions. First, he was confirmed by a 45-0 vote as secretary of state in the government. He was then confirmed as Secretary of State by a 44-0 majority.

The position of Secretary of State was created under the Oklahoma Constitution and is appointed by the Governor with the consent of the Senate. The Secretary certifies and distributes executive orders, appointments, and proclamations issued by the Governor. The Secretary is also responsible for recording adopted and signed legal acts, the process of submitting initiative petitions, registering enterprises and appointing or employing notaries.

The secretary of state in the government is a position created by the governor as an advisor on policy issues. Cockroft currently plays both roles.

Several agency directors were also confirmed Wednesday, including Tim Gatz as executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Ellen Buettner as director of the Oklahoma Health Services Administration and Jeffrey Cartmell as executive director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs.

Gatz will replace ODOT’s director after being forced to choose between his roles as director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, director of ODOT and secretary of transportation. This change in position came after Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued an opinion on having two offices, which found that Gatz had violated constitutional principles. Stitt filed a lawsuit against Drummond in the case, but a declaratory judgment has not yet been issued.