Governor of Oklahoma facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Governor of Oklahoma
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State seal
Incumbent Kevin Stitt since January 14, 2019
Government of Oklahoma
Style	Governor (informal) The Honorable (formal)
Residence	Oklahoma Governor's Mansion
Term length	Four years, renewable once
Inaugural holder	Charles N. Haskell
Formation	November 16, 1907
Deputy	Lieutenant Governor
Salary	$147,000 (2013)

The Governor of Oklahoma is the top leader of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Think of the governor as the state's chief executive officer. They are in charge of the state government's executive branch. This means they make sure state laws are followed.

The governor is also the boss of the Oklahoma National Guard when it's not working for the U.S. federal government. Even though the governor is part of the executive branch, they also have some power over state laws and courts. They give a "State of the State" speech each year to the Oklahoma Legislature. They also present the state's yearly budget. The governor's job is to keep the peace and make sure laws are enforced. A governor serves for four years and can be re-elected once.

The job of governor started in 1907. This was when Oklahoma officially became the 46th state in the United States. Before 1907, the western part of Oklahoma was called the Oklahoma Territory. It had a governor chosen by the U.S. President. The eastern part was called Indian Territory. It was mostly unorganized land for Native American tribes.

The 28th and current Governor of Oklahoma is Kevin Stitt. He is a member of the Republican Party.

History of Oklahoma's Governors

Territorial Period: Before Oklahoma Became a State

Abraham Jefferson Seay was the second governor of the Oklahoma Territory (1892-1893).

Before Oklahoma became a state in 1907, it was split into two main areas. The western part was the Oklahoma Territory. The eastern part was the Indian Territory. The Indian Territory was mostly independent. It was land for Native American nations.

The Oklahoma Territory was different. It was managed by the U.S. President and Congress. It had its own government, just like other states. This included a territorial legislature, a court, and a governor.

The U.S. President chose the territorial governors. They served for four years. But the President could replace them at any time. The governor was the top leader of the territory. They could stop laws passed by the legislature. They also chose people for their team. The governor was also the leader of the territory's militia.

George Washington Steele was the first governor of the Oklahoma Territory. He served from 1890 to 1891. President Benjamin Harrison appointed him. Governor Steele stopped attempts to move the capital from Guthrie. He also helped start two universities. These are now the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University.

After Steele resigned, Abraham Jefferson Seay became the second governor. Frank Frantz was the last governor of the Oklahoma Territory. He served from 1906 to 1907.

Statehood to Today: The Governor's Role Grows

In 1907, the Oklahoma and Indian territories joined. They formed the new U.S. state of Oklahoma. The job of the state governor replaced the territorial governor. The new role had more rules and limits. This was to prevent too much power in one person's hands.

Oklahoma's first governor was Charles N. Haskell. He served from 1907 to 1911. He was a strong leader. But in the next 20 years, the Oklahoma Legislature made the governor's job less powerful. They even removed two governors from office: Jack C. Walton and Henry S. Johnston.

The governor's power grew again when William H. Murray took office in 1931. In 1927, the state built a special home for the governor. It cost $75,000. The governor and their family moved in during 1928.

As Oklahoma grew, the governor's office became more important. More state agencies were created. The governor gained more power by choosing leaders for these agencies. At first, a governor could not be re-elected right away. But in 1966, the state changed its rules. Now, a governor can serve two four-year terms in a row. This is like the U.S. President.

How Oklahoma's Governor is Elected

The people of Oklahoma vote directly for their governor. This election happens in November every four years. The person with the most votes wins. If there's a tie, the Oklahoma Legislature chooses the governor.

To be governor, a person must be a U.S. citizen. They must be at least 31 years old. They also need to have lived in Oklahoma for at least ten years.

The governor's term starts on the second Monday in January. A person can serve no more than two terms in a row. In 2010, voters decided that a person can only serve eight years as governor in their lifetime.

Oath of Office

Before taking office, the governor says a special promise. It's called the "Oath of Office." Here's what they say:

"I, ........., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma, and that I will not, knowingly, receive, directly or indirectly, any money or other valuable thing, for the performance or nonperformance of any act or duty pertaining to my office, other than the compensation allowed by law; I further swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully discharge my duties as Governor of the State of Oklahoma to the best of my ability."

Latest Election Results (2022)

Oklahoma gubernatorial election 2022 results map.      Counties won by Kevin Stitt      Counties won by Joy Hofmeister

What the Governor Does

Executive Powers: Leading the State Government

The governor's main job is to make sure laws are "faithfully executed." This means they are the chief executive of Oklahoma. They can issue executive orders. These orders have the power of law. The governor is also the state's top peace officer. They lead state and local police.

If police can't keep order, the governor can call out the Oklahoma National Guard. This is to enforce laws or handle emergencies. The governor works with the Adjutant General of Oklahoma to manage the military.

The governor also chooses people for state jobs. If a state job becomes empty, the governor can appoint someone new. If an Oklahoma seat in the United States House of Representatives or United States Senate becomes empty, the governor calls a special election. For a U.S. Senate seat, the governor can appoint someone temporarily.

Other important state leaders help the governor. These include the lieutenant governor and the attorney general. The governor also has a team of advisors called the Oklahoma State Cabinet. Each member leads a state department.

The governor also helps create the state's budget. This budget is presented to the Oklahoma Legislature each February. After lawmakers agree, the governor signs the budget into law.

Legislative and Judicial Powers: Working with Laws and Courts

The governor plays a big part in making laws. Every bill passed by the Oklahoma Senate and Oklahoma House of Representatives goes to the governor. The governor can sign it into law or veto it. A veto means the bill is sent back. Lawmakers can still make it a law if two-thirds of them vote to override the veto.

The governor has a special power called the line-item veto. This lets them approve parts of a spending bill but reject other parts. The governor also suggests new laws. They do this in their yearly "State of the State" speech. This speech helps influence public opinion and lawmakers.

The governor can call special meetings of the legislature. During these meetings, lawmakers can only discuss topics the governor suggests. If lawmakers can't agree on when to end a session, the governor can decide.

The governor also has a role in the state's courts. Oklahoma has a Judicial Nominating Commission. This group reviews people who want to be judges. The governor chooses six members of this commission. If a spot opens on the Oklahoma Supreme Court, the commission gives the governor three names. The governor must pick one within 60 days.

The governor can also grant commutations, pardons, and paroles. This means they can reduce sentences or forgive crimes. But they can't do this for people sentenced to death or life without parole. To grant a pardon, the governor needs approval from the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. The governor appoints three members to this board.

Foreign Relations: Oklahoma's Spokesperson

The governor is Oklahoma's main representative to the rest of the U.S. and the world. They negotiate deals between Oklahoma and other states or countries. The governor speaks for Oklahoma's interests. However, the governor cannot make treaties with other nations. Only the U.S. federal government can do that.

The governor might meet with the President of the United States or speak to Congress. This is to discuss issues that affect Oklahoma. The governor also promotes Oklahoma's businesses and products to other states and countries.

Emergency Powers: Handling Crises

If there's a natural disaster or other emergency, the governor gets special powers. This is under the Oklahoma Emergency Management Act of 2003. The governor or the Oklahoma Legislature can declare a state of emergency. Once declared, the governor can use these extra powers.

During an emergency, the governor can control important state resources. These include food, water, transportation, and energy. The governor's main goal is to keep the state safe and stable. They can take charge of emergency forces. This includes the Oklahoma National Guard and state police.

The governor can also order people to evacuate. They can control traffic and public gatherings. All state and local officials must cooperate with the governor during an emergency. If an official doesn't obey, the governor can remove them from office. However, the governor cannot remove elected state leaders or judges.

The governor is protected from lawsuits for actions taken during an emergency. This is unless they act with extreme carelessness or on purpose.

The Governor and the Lieutenant Governor

The lieutenant governor of Oklahoma is elected at the same time as the governor. But they are not a team on the ballot. Sometimes, the governor and lieutenant governor are from different political parties. For example, in 1963, Republican Governor Henry Bellmon served with Democratic Lieutenant Governor Leo Winters.

The governor can ask the lieutenant governor to join their team. For example, Governor Mary Fallin asked Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb to help small businesses.

The lieutenant governor can also become the "Acting Governor." This happens if the governor is out of the state or can't do their job. When acting as governor, the lieutenant governor has all the governor's powers. This includes signing laws, making appointments, and calling out the National Guard. They act as governor until the real governor returns or can do their job again.

Office of the Governor

Office of the Governor

Agency overview
Formed	1907
Preceding agency	Office of the Territorial Governor
Headquarters	Oklahoma State Capitol Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Employees	39 unclassified
Annual budget	$1.98 million
Minister responsible	Kevin Stitt, Governor
Agency executive	Denise Northrup, Chief of Staff
Website	Office of the Governor

The Office of the Governor is the state agency that helps the governor. It includes the governor's staff. This team works to support the governor's duties. The staff members are chosen by the governor. They work in offices at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City. There is also an office in Tulsa. Some staff work at the Governor's Mansion.

In 2013, this office had a budget of about $1.98 million. This money pays for staff salaries and benefits. It also covers the costs of running the governor's offices and the Governor's Mansion.

The Governor's Home

Since 1928, Oklahoma governors have lived in the Oklahoma Governor's Mansion. Before that, governors lived in different places. Oklahoma's first governor, Charles N. Haskell, even lived in a hotel. After many years of discussion, the Oklahoma Legislature decided to build an official home in 1927. The mansion was finished in 1928.

The mansion was designed by an Oklahoma City firm. It has a Dutch-Colonial style. It was built with Carthage limestone. This was to match the Oklahoma State Capitol building nearby. The state spent $100,000 on the mansion. This included $75,000 for building and $25,000 for furniture. Later, more money was added for landscaping.

The mansion was first built with 19 rooms. Today, it has 12 rooms. These include a library, dining room, and five bedrooms. The mansion is about 14,000 square feet.

The Governor's Mansion is also like a museum. It has old furniture and art from Oklahoma's history. This helps visitors learn about the state's culture. Famous artists like N. C. Wyeth and Charles Marion Russell have art displayed there.

Who Takes Over if the Governor Can't Serve?

If the governor can't do their job, someone else steps in. This happens if the governor is removed from office, resigns, dies, or leaves the state. The lieutenant governor is the first in line. They fill the empty spot.

If the lieutenant governor also can't serve, the next person is the President Pro Tempore of the State Senate. After that, it's the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

If all these people can't serve, an "emergency interim successor" takes over. This person can do the governor's duties. But they don't get the title of governor. This is usually only during a major emergency or disaster. The Oklahoma Legislature can end this person's authority.

Line of Succession to Governor

Here's the order of who takes over if the governor can't do their job:

See also

• List of governors of Oklahoma
• Governors of Oklahoma Territory