Career Timeline of Kevin Stitt: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Kevin Stitt, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

John Kevin Stitt is the 28th and current Governor of Oklahoma, serving since 2019. A Republican, he won the 2018 election against Drew Edmondson with 54.3% of the vote and was re-elected in 2022, defeating Joy Hofmeister with 55.4% of the vote.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2000: Gateway Mortgage Founded

In 2000, Kevin Stitt and his wife Sarah Hazen founded Gateway Mortgage with "$1,000 and a computer". Stitt served as president and CEO.

January 2014: Stitt Becomes Chairman-CEO of Gateway Mortgage

In January 2014, Kevin Stitt transitioned from his role as president and CEO of Gateway Mortgage to chairman-CEO of the company.

2016: Oklahoma Voters Adopt State Question 780

In 2016, Oklahoma voters adopted State Question 780, changing the classification of simple drug possession crimes from felony to misdemeanor and increasing the cap for property crimes to be considered felonies.

July 2017: Stitt announced candidacy for governor

In July 2017, Kevin Stitt announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for governor in 2018.

August 2018: Stitt Steps Down as Gateway CEO

In August 2018, after securing the Republican nomination, Kevin Stitt resigned from his position as CEO of Gateway, coinciding with the company's announcement of a merger with a state-licensed bank and pursuit of a banking license.

2018: Felony Prosecution Reduced by SQ780

By 2018, State Question 780 had reduced the rate of felony prosecution statewide by 26%.

2018: Stitt Wins Republican Nomination

In 2018, Kevin Stitt won the Republican nomination for governor.

January 14, 2019: Stitt Inaugurated as Governor of Oklahoma

On January 14, 2019, Kevin Stitt was inaugurated as the Governor of Oklahoma at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

May 2019: Stitt Proposes Criminal Justice Reforms

In May 2019, Governor Stitt proposed several criminal justice reform ideas, including making State Question 780's sentencing standards retroactive.

July 9, 2020: Supreme Court decides McGirt v. Oklahoma

On July 9, 2020, the United States Supreme Court decided in McGirt v. Oklahoma that half of the land of the state of Oklahoma made up of tribal nations like the Cherokee are officially Native American tribal land jurisdictions.

July 28, 2020: Court rules in favor of tribes in gaming compact dispute

On July 28, 2020, U.S. District Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti ruled in the tribes' favor, holding that their compacts with the state automatically renewed for an additional 15-year term on January 1, 2020.

2020: Scott Gesell Becomes Gateway CEO

In 2020, Scott Gesell became the CEO of Gateway, with Kevin Stitt remaining as chairman of the company.

2020: Stitt Forms Criminal Justice Reform Study Group

In response to legislative defeats, in 2020, Governor Stitt issued an executive order to form a study group to make recommendations for future criminal justice reform for consideration during the 2020 legislative session, with particular emphasis on reducing Oklahoma's incarceration rate.

January 2021: Stitt Files for Reelection

In January 2021, Kevin Stitt filed to run for reelection as governor of Oklahoma.

June 2022: Stitt Wins Republican Primary

In June 2022, Kevin Stitt won the Republican primary election.

June 2023: Senator Greg Treat criticizes senators

In June 2023, Senator Greg Treat criticized senators who did not show up for a tribal compact vote to override one of Stitt's vetoes. The next month, he called Stitt "ineffective" and said they were one vote shy of overriding.