Pro Tem Paxton Releases Statement in Response to Governor Stitt’s Criticism

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, today released the following statement after Governor Kevin Stitt attacked Senator Paul Rosino’s spouse in a media statement earlier today.

“Governor Stitt has crossed a line,” Pro Tem Paxton said. “His recent attempt to smear the good name of Senator Rosino’s wife, is not just petty—it’s disgraceful. Senator Rosino’s wife is a part-time administrative employee. Instead of attacking a public servant’s spouse, the governor should be addressing the real problem - his own failed appointee.

“This isn’t an isolated failure—it’s part of a pattern. The executive branch continues to produce multimillion-dollar disasters that are routinely dumped in the Legislature’s lap to clean up. The legislature entrusted this governor with more control of this agency, and he has wrecked it in record time.

“After months of serious discussions, even with the governor, I asked Senator Rosino to file this resolution, as he is the Senate Chairman of Health and Human Services, also because the department deserves real leadership—not an unqualified appointee who is in over her head. For Governor Stitt to retaliate by targeting a Senator’s spouse is beneath the dignity of his office.”