Oklahoma Governor’s bid for re-election threatened by feud with Tribes

Governor Kevin Stitt failed to renegotiate the state’s Tribal gambling compact in his first term.

Oklahoma Tribes have long held considerable sway in the state’s politics and are now wielding their influence to prevent Republican Governor Kevin Stitt’s re-election. Stitt is a Cherokee citizen himself, but has been feuding with the Tribes throughout his first term and is now facing a tough campaign.

With the election only weeks away, five of the state’s most powerful Tribes have endorsed Democratic contender Joy Hofmeister, the state’s public schools superintendent. She has promised more friendly relations with the Tribes and cooperation with their gambling operations.

GOP political consultant and pollster Pat McFerron commented: “I don’t know that I’ve ever seen the Tribes more active than they are today. I think they might have flown under the radar a little bit more before.”

This development has created a surprisingly tight race in what is considered a ‘deep-red’ state. Stitt’s problems with the Tribes first surfaced when he unsuccessfully attempted to renegotiate the state’s gambling compact with Oklahoma’s Native American Nations. His administration sought to overturn a US Supreme Court decision on Tribal sovereignty in 2020.

McFerron further said: “Stitt seems to have enjoyed this fight, relishes it and points to it as a badge of honor. It’s almost like he’s taunting them.”

Things have turned ugly recently, with Tribal leaders publicly assailing the Governor at public meetings and launching a slew of dark-money attack ads at him. Muscogee Nation Principal commented: “Any governor that postures and attempts dominion of Tribes is detrimental to the Tribes and the state.”

Stitt has defended allegations that he is prejudiced against the Tribes, saying: “I’ve told people I will not go down in history as the Governor that gives my state away. A lot of people want to paint this as an anti-Indian thing. This is not. This is a pro-Oklahoma thing.”

He asserts that the Supreme Court ruling on Tribal sovereignty was detrimental to the state and he acted in good conscious.

Robert Collins

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