Kevin Stitt Becomes Oklahoma's 28th Governor

Kevin Stitt became Oklahoma's 28th Governor, taking his oath of office Monday, January 14. He's just the third Tulsan to become governor.

Monday, January 14th 2019, 5:05 am

By: Dave Davis

Kevin Stitt Becomes Oklahoma's 28th Governor

Kevin Stitt became Oklahoma's 28th Governor, taking his oath of office Monday, January 14. Surprisingly, in the history of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Historical Society notes there have only been two other governors who called Tulsa their home town.

Dewey F. Bartlett, Frank Keating - and now Kevin Stitt.

Watch: Kevin Stitt's Inauguration Speech In Its Entirety

Stitt's inauguration ceremony took place on the steps of the State Capitol in Oklahoma City. Tulsa and Stitt's family factored heavily in the ceremony.

All six of the governor-elect's children led the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Stitt's pastor from his home church, Woodlake, gave the invocation. Miss Tulsa Teen Ella Phillips sang the National Anthem.

Stitt's father, John, gave the benediction. Blake Jamison and Jordan Garrett from Tulsa sang "God Bless America."

Tulsans Perform At Kevin Stitt's Inauguration Ceremony

Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell is also from Tulsa.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol stepped up security around the capitol building.

Kevin Stitt began speaking just after noon, giving his inauguration address.

He addressed many of the topics that featured in his campaign, making Oklahoma a top-ten state, as he says it, in many different areas, including education.

He's also talked extensively about starting an Oklahoma turnaround.

2018 was full of ups and downs. There was a multi-day teacher walkout, and many teachers have emphasized much more needs to be done. We've seen Oklahoma's revenue expand by more than $1.5-billion year-over-year while Morning Consult recently ranked Mary Fallin as the least popular Governor in America at 16-percent.

Fellow Republican Kevin Stitt distanced himself from her and won the general election by 12 percentage points.

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