The Latest in Oklahoma: February 28, 2025
A&A Advocates
Two prominent figures have announced their candidacies for statewide offices. Former Oklahoma City Republican Rep. Jon Echols has declared his intention to run for Attorney General in the 2026 election. Echols, who served as House Majority Floor Leader for eight years, aims to prioritize combating the fentanyl crisis, supporting law enforcement, and protecting taxpayer dollars. He has already secured endorsements from 17 county sheriffs across the state. Meanwhile, Bixby Public Schools Superintendent Rob Miller has announced his campaign for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. His announcement comes amid ongoing tensions with current State Superintendent Ryan Walters, including a defamation lawsuit filed by Miller against Walters.
Oklahoma has officially commenced state-level immigration enforcement under Operation Guardian, a collaborative initiative between state law enforcement agencies and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Governor Kevin Stitt announced finalized agreements with the Department of Homeland Security, enabling state troopers, along with agents from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, to enforce federal immigration laws. Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton, overseeing the implementation, emphasized the state’s commitment to removing criminal illegal aliens to enhance public safety.
The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned the conviction of Oklahoma death row inmate Richard Glossip, ordering a new trial due to prosecutorial misconduct. The Court’s 5-3 decision, authored by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, highlighted that prosecutors failed to disclose critical evidence and allowed false testimony, violating Glossip’s constitutional rights. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond supported the decision, acknowledging the flawed conviction. The case now returns to Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna, who will determine whether to retry Glossip.
Checks and Balances
A House priority bill, HB2728, has passed out of the house chamber. This measure structured to enhance transparency in the state’s administrative rulemaking process. Click the link to learn more about the implications of the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“By working directly with ICE, our law enforcement officers now have additional tools to keep dangerous criminals off our streets and protect Oklahomans,” Governor Stitt said regarding the state’s new initiative on illegal immigration. “Oklahoma is proud to lead the way in strengthening border security from the state’s side and enforcing the rule of law.”
