Oklahoma Governor Stitt urges less partisan fighting as he hosts NGA summit
Governor Kevin Stitt reflected on his clash with Donald Trump over a White House meeting and called for reduced political heat ahead of the midterms.
During an interview ahead of the National Governors Association summit in Oklahoma City, Governor Kevin Stitt discussed his recent confrontation with President Donald Trump, who had initially excluded two Democratic governors from a White House meeting. Stitt succeeded in having the presidents reverse the exclusion, though Trump labeled him a “RINO” and questioned his record. Emphasizing that election administration belongs to the states, Stitt said Oklahoma’s notarized absentee ballot system exemplifies proper practice.
He blamed the nation’s polarized climate on an overreaching federal government and urged respect for the diversity of state policies. Stitt also expressed hope that the Republican Party return to its fiscal roots, citing the 1994 Contract with America era. He announced he will finish his gubernatorial term and then return to the private sector, while the NGA leadership passes to Maryland Governor Wes Moore.
Why it matters
The interview highlights tensions between state leaders and the federal executive, shaping how elections and party dynamics may evolve.
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