Gov. Stitt Calls For McCurtain County Officials To Resign

Governor Kevin Stitt issued a statement Sunday evening calling for the resignation of multiple McCurtain County officials after comments they allegedly made were published in a recording.

Stitt asked McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy, Commissioner Mark Jennings, Investigator Alicia Manning and Jail Administrator Larry Hendrix to submit their resignation following "abhorrent comments recorded after a county commissioners' meeting on March 6th."

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The recording, captured by Gazette reporter Bruce Willingham, revealed county officials discussing plans to beat, kill and bury two newspaper reporters in Idabel, including Willingham's son, Chris.

I am both appalled and disheartened to hear of the horrid comments made by officials in McCurtain County. There is simply no place for such hateful rhetoric in the state of Oklahoma, especially by those that serve to represent the community through their respective office. I will not stand idly by while this takes place," said Stitt.

Stitt said he will call on the OSBI to investigate.