If you’re wondering who is the Oklahoma Governor right now, the name you're looking for is Kevin Stitt. He’s been in the driver’s seat of the Sooner State since 2019, and honestly, his tenure has been anything but quiet. Stitt is a Republican businessman who basically jumped straight from the private sector into the highest office in the state.
You’ve probably seen him in the headlines recently because he’s currently serving as the Chair of the National Governors Association as of July 2025. It’s a big deal. He’s leading alongside Maryland’s Wes Moore, trying to "reignite the American Dream" or something like that. But back home in Oklahoma, he’s mostly known for a "top ten" vision and some pretty heated battles with tribal leaders.
The Businessman Turned Politician
Stitt wasn't a career politician. He founded Gateway Mortgage Group back in 2000 with just $1,000 and a computer. That's the story he tells, anyway. By the time he ran for governor, that company was a massive operation.
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He won his first term in 2018, beating Democrat Drew Edmondson. Then, in 2022, he took down Joy Hofmeister—who, weirdly enough, was the State Superintendent and actually switched from the Republican party to the Democratic party to run against him. Stitt won that one with about 55% of the vote.
What has Kevin Stitt actually done?
His whole vibe is "running the state like a business." He's a fan of tax cuts. Just this past year, he pushed through cuts to the state grocery tax and has been chipping away at the state income tax too. He says he wants to make Oklahoma the most business-friendly state in the country.
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- Education: He’s been a huge proponent of "school choice." He signed legislation that allows state funding to follow students to private schools. This has been super controversial, especially in rural areas where the local public school is basically the only game in town.
- The Budget: He loves to brag about the state’s savings account. Oklahoma currently has record-level savings, which he says protects the state from the boom-and-bust cycles of the oil and gas industry.
- Tribal Relations: This is where things get messy. Stitt is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation himself, but he’s had a very public, very tense relationship with tribal leaders over gaming compacts and Supreme Court rulings like McGirt v. Oklahoma.
Who is the Oklahoma Governor going to be next?
Because of Oklahoma’s term limit laws, Stitt is a "lame duck." He can only serve two terms in his lifetime. Period. Since he started in 2019, his time is officially up in early 2027.
The 2026 election is already starting to heat up. You’ve got people like Attorney General Gentner Drummond and former House Speaker Charles McCall already making moves. Even Ryan Walters, the current State Superintendent who is almost always in the news for something provocative, is rumored to be looking at the chair.
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Key facts about Governor Kevin Stitt:
- Party: Republican
- Inaugurated: January 14, 2019
- Family: He’s married to Sarah Stitt, and they have six kids.
- Background: Accounting degree from Oklahoma State University (Go Pokes).
He’s definitely a polarizing figure. People who love him point to the economy and his "freedom first" approach during the pandemic. People who can't stand him usually point to his friction with the tribes or his education policies.
Regardless of where you stand, he’s the guy in charge until January 2027. If you’re looking to get involved or just want to see what he’s up to today, you can check out his executive budget proposals or the "Top Ten" dashboard on the official Oklahoma.gov website.
If you live in Oklahoma, the most practical thing you can do right now is keep an eye on the 2026 primary filings. The field is going to be crowded, and since Oklahoma is a deep red state, the winner of the Republican primary in June 2026 will likely be the next person we're talking about when someone asks who the governor is.