The Oklahoma Supreme Court has sided with Governor Kevin Stitt in a dispute with Attorney General Gentner Drummond. The Court upheld the Governor’s constitutional authority to represent and defend the state in court, a decision Stitt has welcomed.
According to a Governor's Office release, the unanimous ruling rejected Drummond’s attempt to influence the Governor’s litigation powers. Governor Stitt stated, "I’m pleased with the Court’s common sense ruling which gives the Governor clear authority to defend Oklahoma’s interests in court. I’m also optimistic that this ruling signals the Court’s return to constitutional principles." He also criticized Drummond, saying, "Unfortunately, AG Drummond wasted a lot of time and taxpayer money trying to take control of litigation that was meant to protect Oklahomans. His power grab was rejected."
The decision confirms the Governor’s role as the chief executive of Oklahoma and his right to choose legal representation. It specifically counters Drummond’s efforts to take over control of litigation, especially in cases where the Governor is a defendant and where the current counsel has been in place since 2021.
The Supreme Court’s ruling reinforces the structure of Oklahoma’s constitutional framework. "The Governor is ultimately the leader of the executive branch," the Court stated in the same release.
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