OKLAHOMA CITY — The long-running political feud between Gov. Kevin Stitt and Attorney General Gentner Drummond escalated Wednesday, with both Republicans trading accusations over Medicaid oversight and transparency — this time against the backdrop of an open governor’s race.
Stitt, who is term-limited, and Drummond, a candidate for governor, are no strangers to public clashes. The latest dispute underscores the political stakes as both men sharpen their arguments over accountability and taxpayer protection.
The current fight centers on dueling efforts to investigate and police Oklahoma’s Medicaid program.
Stitt directed Drummond to cooperate with a federal audit effort tied to former President Donald Trump’s administration, urging alignment with what he described as a broader crackdown on Medicaid fraud. In a letter, the governor also criticized the attorney general’s separate audit request involving the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, calling it “politically motivated” and out of step with federal priorities.
“President Trump’s audit is aimed at aggressive enforcement, accurate documentation, and real accountability,” Stitt wrote. “That is the right agenda, and Oklahoma should be leading it.”
Stitt pointed to his administration’s rollout of SoonerSelect as evidence of increased transparency and accountability, arguing the state should focus on rooting out fraud and ensuring services reach eligible Oklahomans.
Drummond responded within hours, accusing the governor of attempting to block an independent review and siding with insurance companies over taxpayers.
“The governor and OHCA … have chosen to defend the insurance companies rather than the people they serve,” Drummond said. “This is not the Medicaid accountability President Trump is calling for, and it is not the accountability Oklahomans deserve.”
Drummond defended his office’s record, saying Oklahoma “leads the nation in Medicaid fraud enforcement,” a claim he said he plans to highlight in a meeting next week with Vice President JD Vance.
He also raised questions — without providing evidence — about whether Medicaid funds have been used for gender-transition treatments, including for minors, arguing the public “has every right to know whether their tax dollars” have been used for such care.
“The governor would rather protect the system than scrutinize it,” Drummond said. “Instead of providing answers, the governor is telling Oklahomans to stop asking questions.”
The exchange marks the latest flashpoint in an ongoing rivalry between Stitt and Drummond, who have repeatedly clashed in recent years over issues ranging from tribal compacts to agency oversight. This time, the dispute zeroes in on control, accountability and political messaging around one of the state’s largest public programs — with both men now operating in the shadow of the 2026 governor’s race.
Neither side signaled any willingness to de-escalate, suggesting the fight over Medicaid — and the broader Stitt-Drummond rivalry — is far from over.
