Leisa’s Answer to Oklahoma’s Power Plays

Oklahoma’s watching a high-stakes chess game unfold, and on April 14, 2025, Governor Kevin Stitt made his latest move, announcing his fourth Oklahoma Supreme Court appointment to replace Justice Yvonne Kauger, ousted in a contentious November 2024 retention vote.

The decision, unveiled in the State Capitol’s Blue Room, has tongues wagging—some see it as a bold step toward a conservative judiciary, others as a power grab that risks politicizing our courts. Leisa Mitchell Haynes, campaigning for Governor in 2026, isn’t staying quiet.

She’s calling for leadership that rebuilds trust, not divides, and her vision offers a stark contrast to the drama swirling around Stitt’s pick. With her upcoming podcast Oklahoma’s Choice launching this April, Leisa’s ready to tackle this head-on, promising an Oklahoma where power serves the people, not the players.

The Court Controversy: A State Divided

The backdrop is intense. Kauger’s exit—narrowly decided by 7,000 votes—marked a historic first, fueled by over $3 million in campaign spending, much of it from shadowy “dark money” sources. Stitt’s new appointee, chosen from a trio vetted by the Judicial Nominating Commission, steps into a court already leaning conservative, potentially cementing an 8-1 Republican majority.

Critics argue Stitt’s pushing too hard, pointing to his Election Night speech where he framed the court as a roadblock to his agenda, vowing a conservative overhaul. Supporters, though, cheer the shift, saying it aligns with Oklahoma’s values—less “activist” rulings, more respect for laws as written.

“Courts aren’t for settling political scores, they’re for justice, plain and simple.” She’s troubled by the whispers of power plays, where judges become pawns in a bigger game.

Leisa’s Vision: Open Doors, Honest Leadership

Leisa’s not here to sling mud—she’s here to build. Her answer to the court controversy lies in transparency and connection, not control.

Unlike top-down appointments that spark suspicion, Leisa wants a government that invites input—whether it’s on roads, schools, or justice. She’s not calling for scrapping the Judicial Nominating Commission but for making its work clearer to the public, maybe even livestreaming candidate reviews to show there’s nothing to hide.

On the court itself, Leisa’s conservative roots shine. She favors judges who stick to the Constitution, not ones chasing headlines or agendas. But she’s firm that fairness comes first—no matter who’s in the robe, they’ve got to serve all Oklahomans, not just the loudest voices. “I’d pick justices who know our people—our farmers, our teachers, our veterans.”

The Bigger Picture: Trust Over Turf Wars

This isn’t just about one appointment—it’s about Oklahoma’s future. Leisa ties Stitt’s move to a pattern: leaders who prioritize power over progress. She points to her own fights—against a 49th-ranked education system, against waste like ghost employees—and says the same grit applies here. “We don’t need more turf wars, we need trust.”

Her plan’s practical: strengthen courts by supporting their independence, not bending them to any governor’s will. That means backing judges who interpret laws, not make them, and ensuring the process feels open, not orchestrated.