| Despite many tough negotiations and even an override of an annual budget appropriation, The leaders of both legislative chambers gave their full endorsement of Gov. Kevin Stitt for another 4-year term. This comes even as a former senator filed to run against him. Former senator Ervin Yen is now running as an independent. Former Republican Education Superintendent, Joy Hofmeister is now seeking the Democrat nomination for governor. Stitt is not expected to have any difficulty gaining the Republican nomination when the June 28 election is tabulated. Last week, former president Donald Trump signaled his continued support for Stitt, announcing a fundraising event at his Florida country club & home. Some are also taking note of which state lawmakers were not in this list. Among the names declining to endorse the incumbent GOP governor, are several eastern and southern legislators in districts with larger tribal populations. It's no secret that the wealthy tribal organizations are furious at Stitt for attempting to take away their protected monopoly of the gambling industry. |  More than $10 million in dark money funds are seeking to defeat Gov. Stitt. But the legislature mostly stands by him. |
A majority of the House & Senate Republican Caucuses are officially endorsing Gov. Kevin Stitt, despite his upcoming primary & general election challengers.
UPDATE: since this report was published, Senators Bergstrom, Coleman, Pemberton, & Stephens; have reached out to SoonerPolitics, confirming their support of Gov. Stitt. Rep. Terry O'Donnell has, as well. A few other lawmakers also explained their standing policy of avoiding making any primary endorsements. We sent personal emails out to the few dozen not listed as endorsing, and none have responded with an affirmation that they oppose Stitt.
UPDATE: since this report was published, Senators Bergstrom, Coleman, Pemberton, & Stephens; have reached out to SoonerPolitics, confirming their support of Gov. Stitt. Rep. Terry O'Donnell has, as well. A few other lawmakers also explained their standing policy of avoiding making any primary endorsements. We sent personal emails out to the few dozen not listed as endorsing, and none have responded with an affirmation that they oppose Stitt.
|
Speaker of the House Charles McCall
|
Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat
Sen. Michael Bergstrom Sen. Bill Coleman Sen. George Burns Sen. Julie Daniels Sen. Jessica Garvin Sen. John Haste Sen. Brent Howard Sen. Darcy Jech Sen. Shane Jett Sen. Chris Kidd Sen. James Leewright Sen. John Michael Montgomery Sen. Casey Murdock Sen. Joe Newhouse Sen. Lonnie Paxton Sen. Roland Pederson Sen. Dewayne Pemberton Sen. Adam Pugh Sen. Marty Quinn Sen. Dave Rader Sen. Cody Rogers Sen. Paul Rosino Sen. Brenda Stanley Sen. Blake Stephens Sen. Zack Taylor Sen. Roger Thompson |
Observers also note that many on the left and right ends of the House Republican Caucus political spectrum are missing from this endorsement list. Some who wanted socialized medicine expansion and other leftist agenda items are perhaps identifying themselves further.
And some who decried Stitt's emergency executive orders, but then wanted emergency executive orders to ban employer mandates; are also not on this list of endorsements.
Some strident 'Abolitionists' are also declining to endorse, despite Gov. Stitt signing a full felony ban on abortion just this month.
We look forward to hearing from detracting lawmakers, explaining why they are withholding a public endorsement of Gov. Stitt. We will discuss some of them by name, in future news reports.
And some who decried Stitt's emergency executive orders, but then wanted emergency executive orders to ban employer mandates; are also not on this list of endorsements.
Some strident 'Abolitionists' are also declining to endorse, despite Gov. Stitt signing a full felony ban on abortion just this month.
We look forward to hearing from detracting lawmakers, explaining why they are withholding a public endorsement of Gov. Stitt. We will discuss some of them by name, in future news reports.
