Oklahoma

Why the debate over Cabinet appointments between Gov. Stitt and AG Drummond? | Analysis

Published

2 years ago

March 17, 2024

Why the debate over Cabinet appointments between Gov. Stitt and AG Drummond? | Analysis

For the past couple of weeks, Gov. Kevin Stitt and Attorney General Gentner Drummond have waged a battle of rhetoric.

The governor has complained that Drummond “weaponized” the AG’s office after he issued an opinion that Stitt saw as an attack on his ability to choose who he wants to serve on his Cabinet. Drummond countered the governor doesn’t understand the issue and that he is only enforcing existing law.

While the debate has continued, Stitt lost two Cabinet secretaries, vetoed a bill that would have protected two more and filed a lawsuit in Oklahoma County District Court for “clarification.”

So what, exactly, going on?

From the 30,000-foot level, the answer is simple: The governor is pushing back against limits on his power while the AG looks to his political future and Cleveland County residents and their state senator were unhappy with a turnpike plan.

What’s behind the debate between the governor and the attorney general?

A few years back, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, state lawmakers granted the governor extraordinary authority that previous Oklahoma governors didn’t have. Keep in mind the Oklahoma Constitution is, at its heart, a populist document that makes the 149-member Legislature the most powerful branch of state government.

During the pandemic, some of that power was shifted to Stitt. However, as concern over the pandemic faded, lawmakers took some of that power back.

At the same time, a controversy involving a turnpike expansion plan exploded. With Drummond watching from the sidelines — and planning his political future — Sen. Mary Boren, a Democrat from Norman, raised questions about the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s ACCESS plan on behalf of her constituents.

More: War of words: Stitt and Drummond at odds over state officials holding dual positions

The turnpike authority played political hardball so Boren availed herself to a rule that allows lawmakers to request opinions from the attorney general. Boren requested an opinion from Drummond about Tim Gatz’s role as the head of the turnpike authority, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and a member of the governor’s Cabinet.

Remember: In Oklahoma, the law states that public officials are required to act in accordance with an attorney general’s opinion unless or until the opinion is set aside by a court. In addition, AG opinions that address the constitutionality of a statute are considered advisory. So Drummond’s official opinion could have punch.

It did.

During a news conference, Stitt attempted to question Boren’s reasoning for seeking an attorney general’s opinion, implying that Boren was attacking Gatz, now at ground zero of the controversy. The governor’s question also criticized Boren’s vote against confirming Gatz: “The only person that voted against him was a lady named Mary Boren and apparently, she supposedly requested this opinion, so maybe she has an ax to grind, I don’t know,” the governor said.

What the governor didn’t say, though, was Boren was well within her rights as a state lawmaker to request an AG’s opinion. Members of the Legislature regularly request opinions from the AG’s office. In addition, Boren has, for more than a year, raised questions about the ACCESS Oklahoma turnpike expansion plan and its effect on residents in her district. The issue wasn’t necessarily an ax to grind, it was a lawmaker responding to her constituents.

Still, if the objective was to remove Gatz as head of the turnpike authority, that goal was successful. Gatz stepped down from that post but remains as the head of the Transportation Department and as an adviser to the governor.

Opinions, rhetoric and ‘unnecessary’ legislation

With the attorney general and the governor now deep in a war of words, state lawmakers attempted to solve the problem by passing Senate Bill 1196, which would have carved out two more exemptions for members of the governor’s Cabinet. That measure, which carried House Majority Leader Jon Echols’ name, passed both the House and Senate by large margins this week.

But the governor vetoed the bill late Tuesday, issuing a media statement that called the measure “unnecessary.”

And, to be fair, the governor may have a point. All governors seek advice. And each governor should have wide latitude in who he or she can get that advice from. Since Oklahoma law allows the governor to name Cabinet secretaries — which can be paid or unpaid advisers — Stitt has the authority to name who he wants to his Cabinet, with the “advice and consent” of the state Senate. The salaries for those advisers are part of the governor’s budget.

Stitt is also correct in pointing out that other Oklahoma governors have had Cabinet secretaries who also headed state agencies. During the term of then-Gov. Henry Bellmon, Sandy Garrett, who also held the elected post of state schools superintendent, was Bellmon’s Cabinet secretary for education. Garrett was a Democrat; Bellmon was a Republican.

Still, while Stitt has some valid arguments, so does Drummond. The attorney general focused on the statute that limits dual service, particularly with Gatz, who served not only in the governor’s Cabinet but also as head of both the Transportation Department and the turnpike authority. Since there wasn’t a specific exemption for Gatz, Drummond’s opinion stood and Gatz was forced to resign.

So what happens next?

For his part, the governor has turned to Oklahoma County District Court, asking the court to “clarify” his appointment authority. Drummond, a skilled attorney, replied that he looks forward to making his case in court.

In the meantime, lawmakers could attempt to override the governor’s veto of SB 1196 (remember it passed by large margins in both houses), but it’s also March, and the Legislature’s priority isn’t a fight between the governor and the attorney general. The Legislature’s priority is to craft a budget and get it done before the May 31 deadline.

As for Stitt and Drummond, it looks like their fight won’t be decided by media statements but could, instead, be decided by District Court Judge Richard Ogden — at least for now.

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Oklahoma

First Native woman drives Oklahoma’s iconic Sooner Schooner, a covered wagon mascot

Published

8 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Press Room

First Native woman drives Oklahoma’s iconic Sooner Schooner, a covered wagon mascot

For the first time in its 60-year history, the Sooner Schooner, the University of Oklahoma’s iconic covered wagon mascot, is being driven by a Native American woman.

Brianna Howard, a junior at OU and a citizen of the Choctaw Nation, first drove the Schooner onto the field during the football team’s season opener against Illinois State.

“I only had a minute to get on the Schooner, get the reins and go,” Howard said Saturday before the Sooners’ game against Missouri in Norman. “I didn’t have enough time to get too nervous. When I went out there, it was amazing. I could not even hear the audience I was so zoned into driving.”

Members of the RUF/NEKS and the all-female spirit group Lil’ Sis take care of the Schooner and its ponies, and they take turns driving it during the game.

Members of the Oklahoma spirit groups drive the Sooner Schooner after a touchdown against Missouri during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Norman, Okla.

Alonzo Adams / AP

First introduced in 1964, the Sooner Schooner is pulled across the field before the game and after Oklahoma scores by matching white ponies named “Boomer” and “Sooner.”

Because the scaled-down Conestoga wagon is reminiscent of those pioneers used while settling Oklahoma Territory in the late 1800s, Howard acknowledged that some see the Schooner mascot as a symbol of oppression against Native people. But she said to her, driving the wagon represents taking ownership of that symbol.

“I know that for me, it’s a representation of taking back something that was used to oppress my people and my culture, and now that I’m in charge, it’s giving us the power,” she said. “Not everyone’s going to see it that way, and that’s OK.”

Jack Roehm, a senior at OU and president of the RUF/NEKS, drove the Schooner during Saturday’s game against Missouri and described the Sooner Schooner tradition as one of college football’s most unusual.

“It’s a historic tradition after every score having the ponies run across the field,” Roehm said. “There’s nothing like it in college football.”

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma Likely to Face Full Strength Missouri per Friday Availability Report

Published

1 day ago

November 21, 2025

Press Room

Oklahoma Likely to Face Full Strength Missouri per Friday Availability Report

It appears Oklahoma will get Missouri’s best shot.

The Tigers’ starting quarterback, Beau Pribula, was upgraded to available for Saturday’s showdown by not appearing on Friday’s SEC Availability Report.

Pribula suffered a lower leg injury in Missouri’s loss to Vanderbilt, and he hasn’t appeared since.

Pribula has completed 69.6 percent of his passes this year for 1,685 yards and 11 touchdowns, though he has thrown seven interceptions.

But the No. 22-ranked Tigers will likely have him back as they try to upend No. 8 Oklahoma’s season.

For the Sooners’ part, they’ll be working without a few pieces.

Defensive end R Mason Thomas and defensive back Gentry Williams were both downgraded from questionable to doubtful on the report.

Thomas injured his quad early in Oklahoma’s win over Tennessee in the process of returning Joey Aguilar’s fumble all the way back to the end zone for a touchdown.

Williams hasn’t featured since he exited on the first drive of OU’s win over South Carolina.

Running back Jovantae Barnes and offensive guard Heath Ozaeta were both ruled out for the contest, as was defensive back Kendel Dolby. This marked the first time all week that Dolby appeared on the availability report.

OU was already going to be without offensive linemen Troy Everett, Jacob Sexton and Jake Taylor, who have been ruled out of every SEC contest this year.

Running backs Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock did not appear on the availability report, though it’s unclear if either back will be 100 percent on Saturday.

Robinson had to go to the injury tent in the second half against Alabama, and while he did return to the game, he was not as effective late.

As a result, OU coach Brent Venables said the Sooners will have to lean on the depth of the offense to keep the rushing game going against Missouri.

“It’s going to be tested, no question,” Venables said. “So hopeful we can stay healthy and we’re probably going to spread it out a little more to kind of manage the next few weeks.”

The Sooners and the Tigers will meet at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Owen Field, and the contest will be broadcast on ABC.

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Oklahoma

Kish Eager To See ‘Strongest Version Of Oklahoma Wrestling’ – FloWrestling

Published

2 days ago

November 21, 2025

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Kish Eager To See ‘Strongest Version Of Oklahoma Wrestling’ – FloWrestling

The tests immediately started for Roger Kish’s Oklahoma squad.

The Sooners saw what no other team did for its opening dual — four-time defending national champion Penn State.

Then the injuries. Several starters out.

Eight freshmen or sophomores thrown into a hostile Bryce Jordan Center resulted in a 45-0 Nittany Lions win last Friday. Only for the then-#20 Sooners to scoot over to Bucknell less than 24 hours later and beat the Bison, 18-12.

“I would say the most disappointing piece of that was not being able to get the matchups we were really hoping to see and allow some other guys the opportunity to go in an arena like that and compete,” Kish said. “However, the guys that did go out and compete, I thought they competed hard, and we just got outwrestled in a lot of areas. I think it was a great learning moment for them.”

The third-year Oklahoma coach hopes early-season hurdles will soon dissolve as the Sooners seek a second consecutive winning season and their next batch of All-Americans since 2024.

The Sooners host Indiana at 2 p.m. CT Sunday.

“I would suggest that once all of these guys are back and going, you can see the strongest version of Oklahoma wrestling,” Kish said. “I believe there will be a lot of excitement.”

A lineup with just three returning starters but packed with impact transfers and multiple Big Board recruits fill out the lineup for the Sooners.

“I was really happy with the group to be able to bounce back off a hard night and then go back 24 hours later with Bucknell,” Kish said. “It was kinda nice to see the growth between Friday night and Saturday night then being able to come back here on Monday and sit down with the team and discuss some of the highlights and lowlights and things we did well.”

Holdovers

Kish didn’t arrive in Norman alone when the Sooners plucked him from North Dakota State in May 2023.

He brought several Bison, with seniors Juan Mora (heavyweight), DJ Parker (197) and Mannix Morgan (174) as the remaining bunch.

Their final season brings the biggest goals.

Mora seeks his first NCAA Championships qualification after he finished sixth at the 2025 Big 12 Championships. He tallied four ranked wins across a 12-9 mark a season ago.

Parker and Anthony started their senior campaigns with titles at the Tiger Style Invite.

Mora, ranked #24, then dropped a 5-2 decision against Penn State’s #10 Cole Mirasola on Friday then stopped Bucknell’s #27 Lucas Lawler via the same score.

“(Mora and Parker) are two guys that are just part of our family,” Kish said. “That relationship piece is very, very nice. I am really proud of those two guys. What they do well is I think they bring a lot of leadership abilities. They have a great way of helping guys come together as a team and keeping guys built up and holding guys accountable.”

Parker, a two-time NCAA qualifier at 184, reached the blood round in Philadelphia in 2025, thanks to two consecutive bonus-point wins on the backside.

Parker, ranked 14th, took a 13-3 loss to Connor Mirasola on Friday, then beat Bucknell’s #13 Dillon Bechtold, 6-5.

“I think when they made the transition to Oklahoma, they had the ability to kinda navigate and learn their way around this program and here they are a couple years in and really developed into some great young men,” Kish said. “Really, really proud of them.”

Big Brand

OU’s history and tradition speaks for itself.

Seven team national championships, 67 individual national champions and 278 All-Americans.

That pedigree and status in a wrestling-rich state consistently attracts top talent.

“The thought of what their future looks like here at Oklahoma, they understand that they are going to be taken care of and treated very well as athletes but also in doing so, building a strong network and preparing these guys for life after college sports,” Kish said. “Making sure that they have access to success following.”

Kish’s roster features 11 transfers, including 149-pounder Jack Gioffre (an NCAA qualifier at Virginia), heavyweight Bradley Hill (an NCAA qualifier at Iowa), 165-pounder Peyten Kellar (a 157-pound All-American with Ohio in 2024), 184-pounder Brian Soldano (a two-time NCAA qualifier at Rutgers), 141-pounder Tyler Wells (a two-time NCAA qualifier at Minnesota) and 157-pounder Rafael Hipolito Jr. (an ACC champion and NCAA qualifier at Virginia Tech).

The Sooners also boast three consecutive ranked recruiting classes (#8 in 2024, #17 in 2025 and 2026).

“Really excited about where we are headed and the direction of this program, it has been a lot of fun to see,” Kish said. “I think that has been a really impactful idea for us as coaches. And as we get into year three, you are able to build a core of young guys here that are motivated and excited to be here.

Steady Building

One of Kish’s splashy additions wasn’t a recruit.

Kish hired 2017 Penn State national champion Mark Hall as OU’s director of operations in May of 2024.

Hall enters his second season in Norman, and offers more than travel planning, budgeting and team organizational skills.

“I say this about all the coaches, I just think the level of care that, not only Mark, but all the coaches have for the athletes is tremendous,” Kish said. “The knowledge of the sport is through the roof and the ability to get out and work through the positions with all these guys and being on the mats every day with them.”

The Sooners finished 8-4 overall a season ago, including a 4-4 mark in Big 12.

Hall’s hire became the freshest after former NDSU assistants Cam Sykora and Austin Marsden followed Kish from Fargo.

“Having these guys on the mats every day, wrestling drilling and sparring with these guys and allowing them to just be mentors and pick their brains consistently has been really a great advantage,” Kish said.

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