Oklahoma Senate reluctant to approve some gubernatorial appointments

Gov. Kevin Stitt on Friday said he was concerned that the Senate had not confirmed some of his gubernatorial appointments. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt said Friday he was concerned the Senate would not confirm six of his appointees to serve on his cabinet and in other oversight posts.

Stitt said his office has gotten emails and text messages indicating the Senate will not confirm two cabinet picks, his choice for executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, and three people he’s tapped to serve on boards that oversee education, libraries and wildlife. 

“Oklahomans elected me as governor to put my values on boards and commissions and running different agencies,” Stitt said. “I think we need these great Oklahomans across the finish line to serve in their capacity.”

Some of Stitt’s appointments are subject to Senate confirmation. The senator whose district the nominee lives in usually carries the nomination.

In the past, the Senate usually rubber stamped gubernatorial appointments.

But Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, has vowed a more thorough vetting process. 

Stitt said his nomination of  Dr. Corey Finch has faced pushback. He selected him to serve as health and mental health cabinet secretary.

Finch would be the first ever African American to serve in that post, Stitt said. Finch is a veteran, medical doctor and business owner, Stitt said.

Stitt said the Senate is resistant to confirming Dr. Deborah Shropshire as human services cabinet secretary. She worked for the Department of Human Services for several years, particularly in the area of child advocacy, before being tapped to lead the agency, Stitt said.

He said it was “weird” that she might not be able to serve in his cabinet.

Stitt and three of his cabinet secretaries, including Shropshire, in March sued Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond challenging Drummond’s interpretation of rules governing dual office holding. 

Drummond had issued an opinion that said cabinet secretaries could not hold dual offices, resulting in the immediate resignation of two.

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

“We talked her into coming and serving the state in this capacity,” Stitt said. “And so she’s been there four weeks. I would hate to see her get fired from that position. So, I am anxious to see that vote on the floor as well.”

Treat said Thursday that there were some “really big concerns” about Turner, but Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, was willing to carry her nomination. Treat did not elaborate.

Stitt nominated Alex Gray to serve on the State Board of Education. Gray previously worked in the Trump administration, Stitt said.

“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 serve on the Oklahoma Department of Libraries Board 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, Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, announced she would not carry the nominations of Gray and Katigan, citing concerns over qualifications.

Stitt said it is difficult to get qualified individuals to serve.

“We’ve got one week left,” Stitt said. “So, hopefully we can get all these good Oklahomans that are coming in serving their state across the finish line.”

Treat was asked Friday about Stitt’s remarks.

“Senators take the responsibility of confirming executive nominations seriously,” Treat said. “We have already confirmed a good number of them, and I have personally carried some through the process.

“Fully vetting each nominee takes time and the Senate is doing its job as it has always done to meet this obligation.”

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