Oklahoma governors

Abstract

In the 90 years since Oklahoma was granted statehood, 24 men have served as governor of Oklahoma (see Figure 1). Fearing excessive power in the hands of one individual, the framers of the Oklahoma Constitution intentionally created a weak state chief executive. The Oklahoma state legislature has shown little interest in surrendering any power to the executive branch. Indeed, in recent years, the legislature has passed laws permitting the legislative branch to encroach into traditionally executive realms. Unless there is strong public support for Constitutional reforms to strengthen the state's chief executive, the office of the Governor in Oklahoma will remain weak well into the twenty-first century.