History of Kevin Stitt in Timeline

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

1900: Cherokee Nation's failed attempt to remove Robert Benton Dawson from the Dawes Rolls

Around 1900, the Cherokee Nation attempted to remove Robert Benton Dawson from the Dawes Rolls for allegedly bribing a tribal official in order for himself and dozens of his relatives to be included in the tribal roll around 1880.

December 28, 1972: John Kevin Stitt Born

On December 28, 1972, John Kevin Stitt was born. He is an American businessman and politician who has served as the 28th governor of Oklahoma since 2019.

Others born on this day/year

June 1, 1998: Kevin Stitt married Sarah Hazen

On June 1, 1998, Kevin Stitt married Sarah Hazen. They subsequently had six children.

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.

2004: Oklahoma voters approved State Question 712

In 2004, Oklahoma voters approved State Question 712, adopting the Oklahoma State-Tribal Gaming Act, which allowed federally recognized Indian tribes to conduct commercial gambling within their territory in return for "exclusivity fees" to the state treasury.

2009: Gateway Listed as Shady Lender

In 2009, Gateway was listed in a Business Insider article as one of the 15 shadiest lenders in the government-backed mortgage industry.

2009: Gateway Fined by Wisconsin Regulators

In 2009, during Kevin Stitt's gubernatorial campaign, it was reported that Wisconsin regulators had fined Gateway for a "clerical error" regarding its history with regulators from other states.

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.

April 2014: Botched Execution of Clayton Lockett

In April 2014, the botched execution of Clayton Lockett led to a moratorium on all state executions in Oklahoma.

January 2015: Execution of Charles Warner by Unauthorized Methods

In January 2015, the execution of Charles Warner using unauthorized methods contributed to a moratorium on all state executions in Oklahoma.

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.

November 2017: Lifetime Ban on Gateway Overturned in Georgia

In November 2017, the state of Georgia overturned the lifetime ban on Gateway, enabling the company to conduct business in all 50 states.

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.

August 19, 2018: Oklahoman Addresses Shady Lender Article Inaccuracies

On August 19, 2018, The Oklahoman newspaper published an article highlighting the inaccuracies of a Business Insider article. The consent order stated that the Illinois banking agency investigated a Gateway loan originator for an 'alleged real estate, appraisal, and mortgage fraud scheme'. Gateway fired the employee, asked for a hearing and then agreed to what investigators found. Gateway agreed to a $10,000 fine.

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.

2018: Oklahoma Incarcerated the Most Women Per Capita

In 2018, Oklahoma incarcerated the most women per capita.

2018: Oklahoma Voters Approve State Question 788

In mid-2018, Oklahoma voters approved State Question 788, legalizing the licensed use, sale, and growth of marijuana for medical purposes.

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.

December 23, 2019: Lisa Johnson Billy Resigns from Stitt's Cabinet

On December 23, 2019, Lisa Johnson Billy resigned from Kevin Stitt's cabinet due to disagreements over negotiations with Oklahoma's Indian tribes regarding gambling compacts.

February 13, 2020: Stitt Lifts Moratorium on Executions

On February 13, 2020, Governor Kevin Stitt announced that the moratorium on state executions would be lifted, and executions would resume under his tenure.

March 2020: Stitt posts photo eating at restaurant amid pandemic

In March 2020, Stitt went out to restaurants amid the coronavirus pandemic and posted a photo on Twitter of him doing so with two of his children. He later deleted the tweet.

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 2020: Video with erroneous claims about Native American rights

In July 2020, a video Stitt made had a number of erroneous claims about Native American rights, such as that they do not have to obey the speed limit.

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.

May 7, 2021: Stitt Signs Bill Prohibiting Teaching of Critical Race Theory

On May 7, 2021, Governor Stitt signed a bill prohibiting the teaching of critical race theory or its gender equivalent in public schools.

November 18, 2021: Stitt Commutes Julius Jones' Death Sentence

On November 18, 2021, Governor Kevin Stitt commuted the death sentence of Julius Jones to life without the possibility of parole.

2021: Oklahoma Had Third-Highest Incarceration Rate

According to Prison Policy Initiative, Oklahoma had the third-highest incarceration rate in 2021.

April 2022: Stitt Signs SB 612 Into Law

In April 2022, Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 612 (SB 612) into law, which makes performing an abortion a crime punishable by 10 years in prison or a $100,000 fine, with exceptions for medical emergencies but none for rape or incest.

May 25, 2022: Stitt Signs Bill on Bathroom Usage in Schools

On May 25, 2022, Governor Stitt signed a bill into law requiring students at public charter schools and public schools to use locker rooms and bathrooms that match the sex listed on their birth certificate.

June 2022: Stitt Wins Republican Primary

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

October 31, 2022: Stitt's son found intoxicated with firearms

On October 31, 2022, Stitt's 20-year-old son was found intoxicated in a parking lot in Guthrie, Oklahoma, while in possession of firearms, including a gun belonging to his father. No charges were filed, though the Logan County Sheriff's Office recommended filing charges.

2022: Luck and Doyle pressured to resign from Board

In 2022, Adam Luck and Kelley Doyle were pressured to resign from the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board.

2022: Stitt Rescinds Parole Decision for Jimmie Stohler

In 2022, Governor Stitt initially agreed to grant parole to Jimmie Stohler, the Crossbow Killer, after a recommendation from the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, but later rescinded his decision.

2022: Stitt Signs Bill Prohibiting Nonbinary Gender Markers

In 2022, Kevin Stitt signed a bill into law that prohibited nonbinary gender markers on birth certificates, stating that "people are created by God to be male or female. There is no such thing as nonbinary sex."

2022: Grand Jury Report Criticizes Stitt

In 2022, a grand jury report filed by David Prater criticized Kevin Stitt for being grossly improper and claimed that he pressured the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, possibly violating the Open Meetings Act.

May 2023: Stitt Vetoes Funding for OETA

In May 2023, Kevin Stitt vetoed funding for Oklahoma's PBS network OETA, accusing it of broadcasting pro-LGBT content that "indoctrinat[es]" children.

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.

June 2023: Stitt doesn't respond to Tulsa mayor's call

In June 2023, after severe storms hit parts of Oklahoma, Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum requested that Stitt announce a state of emergency, but Stitt did not respond to Bynum's calls.

August 1, 2023: Stitt Issues Women's Bill of Rights

On August 1, 2023, Governor Stitt issued the Women's Bill of Rights by executive order, narrowly defining the words "male" and "female" to mean biological sex at birth.