Oklahoma Co. Judge Agrees With AG Drummond Over Cabinet Secretaries Holding Dual Offices

A judge ruled against Governor Kevin Stitt - siding with the Attorney General.

This case is about the state's leadership and how decisions are made that impact communities. 

Oklahoma has a law preventing people from holding two offices. The judge's opinion argued cabinet secretaries are officers of the state and are not the exception to the rule. 

In a 23-page court opinion – Oklahoma County District Judge Richard Ogden agreed with Attorney General Gentner Drummond's opinion over the responsibilities of Gov. Stitt’s cabinet members.   

Drummond raised questions in February about cabinet members serving multiple offices. Former Transportation Secretary, Tim Gatz, became the face of this issue.  

At the time, Gatz was executive director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. 

Ogden agreed that cabinet members can't hold multiple offices under state law. However, He said Drummond can't remove them from those positions. 

Drummond’s spokesperson said, “Attorney General Drummond has remained consistent in upholding the law, and he is pleased the Court affirmed his official opinion. He is committed to working with the Governor and Cabinet Secretaries to ensure the smooth operation of state government in compliance with the ruling.” 

Stitt’s office said, “Although the Governor is pleased the Court held that AG opinions cannot be used to remove agency directors or cabinet secretaries, we are disappointed that the Court otherwise felt confined to the AG’s analysis disrupting decades of precedent." 

In April, Gov. Stitt withdrew Shelley Zumwalt for consideration for cabinet secretary of tourism after a state auditor’s report revealed a potential conflict of interest. Gatz resigned as transportation secretary and director of OTA in February.