OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Latest on the inauguration of Oklahoma’s new governor, Republican Kevin Stitt (all times local):
3:50 p.m.
Oklahoma’s new Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt says he’s ready to follow up on his campaign pledge to push the state into the “top ten.”
The millionaire businessman became Oklahoma’s 28th governor Monday as he and other statewide elected officials took their oaths of office during a ceremony at the Oklahoma Capitol.
Stitt said traveling to other states as CEO of his mortgage company showed him that Oklahoma was struggling, and that inspired him to want to make a change by getting into politics.
The 46-year-old father of six replaces term-limited Republican Gov. Mary Fallin. Stitt distanced himself from Fallin while campaigning and has replaced nearly all her top appointees. But he will get to take advantage of difficult fiscal decisions Fallin and the Legislature made last year after months of grueling negotiations, which led to a statewide teacher walkout.
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12:10 p.m.
Oklahoma officially has a new governor.
Republican Kevin Stitt and other statewide elected officials took the oath of office Monday during a ceremony on the south steps of the Capitol.
The 46-year-old political newcomer has promised he’ll use his business acumen to make state government more transparent and fiscally sound.
The start of Stitt’s tenure marks the exit of term-limited Gov. Mary Fallin, a Republican Party stalwart who smashed gender barriers during nearly 30 years in state politics that also included stints as a legislator, lieutenant governor and U.S. congresswoman.
Stitt distanced himself from Fallin on the campaign trail and already has replaced nearly all her top appointees and cabinet secretaries.
Stitt will outline his agenda in a State of the State address on Feb. 4.
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6:20 a.m.
Oklahoma is officially getting its new Republican governor, a 46-year-old political newcomer who promised he’d use his business acumen to make state government more transparent and fiscally sound.
Gov. Kevin Stitt and other statewide elected officials will be sworn into office Monday during a ceremony on the south steps of the Oklahoma Capitol. The start of Stitt’s tenure marks the exit of term-limited Gov. Mary Fallin, a Republican Party stalwart who smashed gender barriers during nearly 30 years in state politics that also included stints as legislator, lieutenant governor and U.S. congresswoman.
Stitt distanced himself from Fallin on the campaign trail and already has replaced nearly all her top appointees and cabinet secretaries.
Stitt will outline his agenda in a State of the State address on Feb. 4.
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This story has been corrected to show Mary Fallin’s political career has spanned nearly 30 years, not 40.
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