OKLAHOMA CITY — A simmering feud between term-limited Gov. Kevin Stitt and gubernatorial candidate Gentner Drummond escalated Friday in a public clash over spending and authority, with Stitt requesting a special audit of the Attorney General’s Office and Drummond accusing the governor of political retaliation weeks before the June 16 Republican primary.
Stitt said he asked State Auditor Cindy Byrd to initiate an independent audit, citing what he described as a 205% increase in the agency’s budget between fiscal years 2023 and 2026, along with significant staff growth.
“Oklahomans want limited government and lower taxes,” Stitt said. “When an agency director more than doubles his budget over three years, taxpayers are owed an explanation.”
The governor also pointed to more than $20,000 in taxpayer funds approved by the Attorney General’s Office for the Diversity Center of Oklahoma, arguing the expenditure conflicts with his 2023 executive order restricting state-funded diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Stitt requested the audit be conducted by an outside firm, citing potential conflicts.
Drummond responded by welcoming the audit while accusing Stitt of using state oversight powers to target political opponents.
“It comes as no surprise that Gov. Stitt has called for an audit of my office,” Drummond said. “He has a well-established pattern of targeting those who hold him accountable. I welcome it.”
Drummond disputed the governor’s characterization of the office’s growth, saying a significant portion of its funding is pass-through money rather than operational spending. Of the agency’s roughly $180 million budget, more than $115 million is directed to restitution, opioid settlement distributions, grants to county sheriffs and other programs that return funds to Oklahomans, he said.
The attorney general also noted the Legislature has expanded the office’s responsibilities in recent years, including pharmacy benefit manager enforcement and anti-human trafficking efforts, while highlighting the creation of an Organized Crime Task Force targeting illegal marijuana operations.
“The Legislature has responded to our performance by giving us more resources. The governor has responded by calling for an audit,” Drummond said.
The exchange marks the latest flashpoint between the two Republicans, whose relationship has deteriorated as the June 16 primary approaches, injecting campaign-year politics into disputes over state spending and executive authority.
