Voters in Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma are testing President Trump’s endorsement power in several Republican primaries and runoffs. Washington, D.C., Democrats are also choosing candidates for mayor and congressional delegate after long-serving incumbents stepped aside.
Posts tagged as “Kevin Stitt”
A tornado struck Enid, Oklahoma, Thursday night, damaging homes and forcing the closure of Vance Air Force Base. Officials reported no fatalities and minor injuries as emergency crews continue recovery efforts.
Senator Markwayne Mullin was confirmed as the new Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security by a 54-45 Senate vote, replacing Kristi Noem amid controversy over her leadership. Mullin’s appointment comes during a prolonged DHS shutdown caused by Democratic demands for immigration enforcement reforms, which remain unresolved despite the leadership change. Known for bipartisan relationships, Mullin has pledged to empower personnel and implement policy shifts such as requiring judicial warrants for enforcement actions, while his confirmation drew both cross-party support and criticism.
Anthony Sanchez, a man scheduled to be executed in September for the 1996 killing of a University of Oklahoma dance student, has decided to reject his chance for a clemency hearing. The Pardon and Parole Board, responsible for making clemency recommendations to the governor, has recommended clemency in only three of the 16 death penalty cases since Stitt took office in 2019, two of which were denied by Stitt. Sanchez has seen many inmates get denied clemency despite the board's recommendation and is not optimistic for his own case.
Governor Ron DeSantis has defended former President Donald Trump after he was indicted for his alleged mishandling of classified documents, referencing the decision by former FBI director James Comey to recommend no charges be filed in the investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt introduced DeSantis at a special event in Tulsa, noting that DeSantis is in step with fellow Republicans while maintaining a steady hand amid pandemic and political tumult.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has signed a bill into law making it a felony for healthcare workers to provide gender-affirming medical care to minors, including treatments such as puberty-blocking drugs and hormones. This is part of a larger trend of conservatives targeting transgender rights across the country, and advocates have argued that the law will have a detrimental effect on the health and well-being of transgender children. The law is set to take effect on November 1st, 2021, with unclear consequences for healthcare workers who violate it.
Mark Jennings, McCurtain County Commissioner, has resigned following a report of him and other officials discussing killing reporters and lynching Black people. Governor Stitt called for Jennings' resignation, as well as the resignations of Sheriff Kevin Clardy and two other sheriff’s department employees, and has requested an investigation into the matter. Jennings' resignation letter was delivered to Governor Stitt and it is hoped that the investigation will bring to light the full extent of the incident and that justice will be served.
James Jennings, a county commissioner in far southeast Oklahoma, has resigned from office after being caught on tape discussing killing reporters and lynching Black people. Governor Kevin Stitt's office has condemned the comments, and the McCurtain County Sheriff's Office has launched an internal investigation. Outrage has been sparked in the local community, with many calling for further action to be taken against the officials involved.