Stitt's Dark Money Group Clouds Transparency Promises

As Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt delivered his 2023 State of the State address, he promised to strengthen transparency in the state's elections, declaring that "Oklahomans deserve to know exactly who is funding political campaigns." However, an investigation has revealed that Stitt's own political allies have been operating a dark money group that funneled over 0,000 into state Senate primaries, supporting the governor's endorsed candidates without disclosing the true source of the funds.

Uncovering the Shadowy Ties Behind 46 Action

Stitt's Quiet Campaign Allies

In the months leading up to Stitt's executive order on election transparency, members of his campaign staff and wealthy supporters were setting up a state political action committee called 46 Action. This group, funded by a dark money nonprofit called 46 Forward, spent over 0,000 to support Stitt-endorsed state Senate candidates in the 2024 primary election. The arrangement allowed the true sources of the group's funding to remain hidden from the public.

A Tangled Web of Connections

Records show that 46 Action's treasurer, Donelle Harder, has worked closely with Stitt, serving as his chief political strategist and campaign manager since 2017. Other officers and agents of the group have also worked for Stitt's office, campaign, and transition team, as well as a federal PAC that has supported the governor's allies. This suggests a deep, though not entirely transparent, connection between 46 Action and Stitt's inner circle.

Opaque Funding and Influence

The 46 Forward nonprofit that bankrolled 46 Action was founded by individuals with close ties to Stitt, including his "close friend" Corbin McGuire and businessman Rodolfo "Rudy" Blanco. However, the group's donors remain unknown, shielded from public scrutiny by the dark money structure. This arrangement allowed 46 Action to influence state Senate races without revealing the true sources of its funding.

Candidate Complicity or Ignorance?

The state Senate candidates who benefited from 46 Action's ad buys claimed they were unaware of the group's connection to Stitt's office. However, experts argue that candidates often have a good understanding of the funding sources behind the independent expenditure groups that support them, even if the public does not. This raises questions about the level of transparency and accountability in Oklahoma's political landscape.

A Concerning Contradiction

Stitt's public rhetoric around election transparency stands in stark contrast to the actions of his political allies. While the governor called for "stronger transparency laws" to protect the integrity of Oklahoma's elections, his own team was quietly operating a dark money group to funnel funds into state Senate races. This contradiction underscores the complex web of influence and the need for greater scrutiny of political activities in the state.