Oklahoma City, Okla. (Nov. 1, 2022) – During the OKC Red Wave Rally featuring U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, more than 50 Oklahoma veterans announced their endorsement of Governor Kevin Stitt for his re-election campaign.
“Oklahoma’s veterans stand with Gov. Kevin Stitt as he has stood faithfully with us,” said Ben T. Robinson, Brig Gen, USAF, Retired, OKC. Further remarks are available from the rally streamed on https://www.facebook.com/StittForGovernor
“It is a deep honor to receive the support of such a diverse group of Oklahoma veterans from all across our great state,”said Gov. Kevin Stitt. “I am committed to elevating Oklahoma to be the most pro-military State in the country from both active duty and national guard personnel to veterans who will choose to retire here and start a business or enter our work force. Here in Oklahoma, we cherish liberty and we respect our men and women in uniform who have made tremendous sacrifices for our freedoms.”
During Governor Kevin Stitt’s time in office, Gov. Stitt has called for and successfully eliminated the income tax on military retirement benefits as well as led in the following areas to enhance the quality of life for veterans in Oklahoma to name a few:
- Called for in the 2022 State of the Union address and signed into law a total income tax exemption on military retirement benefits as opposed to the 75% deduction previously in statute. (SB 401, effective August 25, 2022)
- Improved quality of life and work for military families by allowing active duty military personnel and their spouses to request in advance a temporary, reciprocal occupational license from the State upon receiving orders to discharge or transfer to Oklahoma. Signed into law in 2019 as SB 670, the law creates a more welcoming environment for military families that move to Oklahoma to more easily receive their occupational license.
- Worked with the Oklahoma federal delegation in 2020 to secure funding for a new veterans hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
- Approved $2 million in appropriations for two new veterans’ facilities in 2019 (SB 1070).
- Approved $700,000 for operations costs for the Cohen Military Family Clinic in Lawton. This funding will in turn enable the Cohen Veterans Network to expand their services through the construction of a new facility in Oklahoma and serve even more veterans. (SB 1048, effective August 25, 2022)
The veterans endorsing Stitt for Governor 2022 are as follows:
- Ben T. Robinson, Brig Gen, USAF, Retired, OKC
- Robert Redwine, Brig Gen, USAF, Retired, Yukon
- Greg Slavonic, RADM, USN, Retired, OKC
- Kevin McDugle, Drill Instructor SGT, USMC
- Randall A. McIntire, BG, USA, Retired, Lawton
- Nate Slate, COL, USA, Retired, Lawton
- Robert Mulac, CAPT, USN, Retired, Yukon
- Brett Martin, CAPT, USN, Retired, OKC
- Robin Syba, CAPT, USN, Retired, OKC
- Wylie Koiner, Col, USAF, Retired, Edmond
- Tom Bliss, Col, USAF, Retired, OKC
- Joel Martin, Col, USAF, Retired, Norman
- Chuck DeBellevue, Col, USAF, Retired, Edmond
- Rick Buschelman, Col, USAF, Retired, Edmond
- John A. Traugott, Col, USAF, Retired, Edmond
- Darrell Judy, Col, USAF, Retired, Enid
- Mark Johnson, Col, USAF, Retired, Edmond
- Rex E. Adee, Col, USAF, Retired, Arcadia
- Thomas O’Neil, Col, USAF, Retired, Edmond
- Tom Pool, COL, USA, Retired, Norman
- Henry Laakman, Col, USAF, Retired, Midwest City
- James Putnam, Col, USAF, Retired, Edmond
- Maury Hardy, Lt Col, USAF, Retired, OKC
- Sid Ellington, CDR, USN, Retired, OKC
- Tucker McHugh, CDR, USN, Retired, Edmond
- John Carter, CDR, USN, Retired, Norman
- Dennis Altendorf, Lt Col, USAF, Retired, Edmond
- David Wilson, Lt Col, USAF, Retired, Arcadia
- Glenn Ashmore, LCDR, USN, Retired, OKC
- John Ratliff, LTC, USA, Retired, Lawton
- Russel Smith, LTC, USA, Retired, OKC
- John T Griffith III, Maj, USAF, Retired, Edmond
- James A. Keating, MAJ, USA, Retired, Edmond
- John Nash, CPT, USA, Edmond
- Bob Allen, Sr, 1LT, USA, OKC
- Rob Allen, Jr, CPT, USA, OKC
- Shane Jett, LT, USN, Shawnee
- Gary Stanislawski, Capt, USAF, Tulsa
- Stephen E. Reel, CPT, USAR, OKC
- Boyd Barclay, Capt, USMC, Retired, Edmond
- Peter Luitwieler, 1LT, USA, Tulsa
- Dr. Jack Milavic, CWO5, USMC/OKNG,
- Jerry Helton, CMDCM, USN, Retired, Edmond
- Eddie Compton, CCMS, USAF, Retired, Newalla
- Bruce Durkee, Sargent, E6, OKNG, Retired, Billings
- William W. Hawthorn, E-4, USA
- Connie Check, USN, Disabled Vietnam Veteran
- Johnathon Shepherd, Sgt, USMC, Tulsa
- Brendan Clark, USMC, OKC
- Mellodee Griffith, CPO, USN, Retired, American Legion Member, OKC
- Danny Thomas, MSgt, USMC, Retired, OKC
- Brian Wilson, Staff Sargent, USMC, Retired, American Legion Member, OKC
- Mike Harris, MSgt, USAF, Retired, American Legion Member, OKC
- Vernon Moore, E6, PO 1st Class, USN, Retired, American Legion Member, OKC
- Tom Morris, Sgt, USMC, Edmond
- Ron Malear SSG E-6, USA, OKC
- Mike Taylor, E-5, USAF, American Legion Member, OKC
- Scott Sweeney, SPC, USA, Ada