Who is Kevin Stitt - the Governor of Oklahoma: Biography, Time Life, Career and Family

Psithurism [email protected] December 08, 2020 | 10:02

John Kevin Stitt is the current governor of Oklahoma since January 2019 and the former chairman and CEO of Gateway Mortgage Group. If you want to dig deeper in to this special person's biography, Knowinsider has already prepared the article below for you.

Kevin Stitt - the Current Governor of Oklahoma - Photo: APNews

Who is Kevin Stitt?

J. Kevin Stitt is the 28^th governor of Oklahoma. Governor Stitt is leading the state with a vision to become Top Ten in critical categories, from government accountability to job growth, infrastructure, education and more, according to Governor.ok.gov.

Kevin Stitt is a conservative Republican candidate for governor who is running to end politics as usual at the State Capitol and to lead Oklahoma with a vision to be Top Ten in growth, education, infrastructure, healthcare, and government efficiency, Stittforgovernor noted.

Early life

Stitt is a fourth-generation Oklahoman, raised in Norman where his dad was a pastor of a Bible church and spent many summers as a youth in Skiatook where his grandfather owned a dairy farm. Stitt graduated from Norman High School and worked his way through Oklahoma State University by selling books with the Southwestern Company.

Private life

Photo: Stittforgovernor.com

Wife: First Lady Sarah Stitt

Stitt has shared her personal story of growing up in a family struggling with mental health issues across the state in an effort to raise awareness. Most recently, she has been on a statewide tour to promote the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences and the mitigating effects of hope. Stitt was instrumental in creating career fairs to help prepare incarcerated Oklahomans for personal success after being released as part of the state's largest single day of commutations in late 2019, in which over 400 individuals were released.

“We have been a state that has become highlighted for things that we don’t want to be highlighted for,” Stitt said at a recent event in Alva. “That is nothing to be proud of. But that should motivate us all to get out of (our) homes and try to make a difference in the lives of those around us.”, Oklahoman reported.

Children

Stitt is a man driven by faith and family. He has been married to his wife, Sarah, for nearly 20 years and together they have six children and live in Tulsa. The Stitts are active members of Woodlake Church in Tulsa.

Career actions

PERMITLESS CARRY

Permitless carry was one of the first bills Stitt signed into law in February 2019. It would also be one of the most controversial. The legislation, which took effect November 1, 2019, allows law-abiding Oklahomans to openly carry a firearm without a permit. The plan has faced numerous challenges, but still stands as we enter the new year.

AGENCY OVERSIGHT

Much of the early part of Stitt's first year was spent consolidating power. He now has more authority than any Oklahoma governor has ever seen. Just weeks into his term, Stitt took control of five of the states largest agencies: the Health Care Authority, Department of Corrections, Human Services, Juvenile Affairs, and Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Stitt replaced the leadership at 18 state agencies in his first year.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

One area the governor has seen heaps of praise is criminal justice reform. Namely, Stitt signing off on the largest single-day mass commutation in U.S. history. On November 1, Stitt commuted the sentences of 523 non-violent, low-level offenders, as recommended by the Pardon and Parole Board. Although the reform process started before Stitt's tenure in office. He's credited for seeing it through.

GAMING COMPACT FIGHT

The most memorable moments from Stitt's first year in office, though, may come from his very public, loud and ugly fight with the states tribes over the gaming compact. Stitt has maintained the longstanding compact, governing gambling in the state, expired on January 1, 2020. He believes the tribes and state have to renegotiate, and that the tribes should be paying more. But tribal leaders were united in maintaining the compact automatically renewed on January 1.

LOOK-AHEAD TO 2020

So where does Stitt head looking toward his second year in office? He told the Tulsa World he's still focused on increasing agency accountability and transparency. It's also unlikely the governor will end his feud with the tribes over the compact. He's recently hired legal representation and plans to fight the tribes in court. But Stitt's biggest focus could be on health care. The governor has teased his own update for the state at the same time a State Question on Medicaid will appear on a 2020 ballot, Okcfox noted.

Recovering from COVID-19

Photo: Enidnews.com

Governor Kevin Stitt is returning back to work after recovering from COVID-19. Gov. Stitt made the announcement Monday in a video on social media.

"After the past two weeks of working from home and isolating, I am glad to be back in the office today," Stitt said. "I am also grateful to report that everyone I was in contact with continues to test negative for COVID-19, and no one has developed symptoms."

Earlier in July, Stitt announced that he tested positive for COVID-19. Stitt said the illnesses started as feeling achy, but reported no other symptoms. He worked from home and remained in quarantine until it was okay to return to the office, Kjrh reported.

*Full List the current governors of the United States, please READ MORE HERE

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