Oklahoma’s next governor discusses transition plans

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov.-elect Mike Mazzei on Wednesday announced that his brother will chair his transition team.

Dan Mazzei, a structural engineer who has worked on political campaigns, will lead efforts to put together Mike Mazzei’s incoming administration ahead of his swearing in as the state’s 29th governor on Jan. 11.  

“We ran a lean, scrappy campaign with a small team,” said Mike Mazzei, who loaned his campaign a record $13 million. “Now it is time to build an administration of top notch Oklahomans, efficiency experts, and subject matter experts who want to improve the lives of everyday Oklahomans.”

He encouraged those who are interested to submit a resume to mikeforok.com.

“We’re looking for talented, hardworking people who share our commitment to serving Oklahomans and delivering results,” Mike Mazzei said.

Mike Mazzei, a Republican, on Tuesday defeated Democrat Cyndi Munson and three independents to become the state’s next governor. 

He garnered nearly 52% of the vote to Munson’s nearly 46%, according to the Oklahoma State Election Board.

Mike Mazzei said he looks forward to working with Gov. Kevin Stitt, who is in his final months of a second term, on a smooth transition. Stitt cannot run again due to term limits.

Mike Mazzei, who served as budget secretary under Stitt, would not say if he planned to retain any members of Stitt’s administration.

Mike Mazzei, a financial planner from Tulsa, said he wasn’t going to make any personnel announcements at this time, but expects to make some announcements fairly soon.

Mike Mazzei said he will be working with House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, and Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, on “some priorities, so we can have a very effective first 100 days.”

He also expects to create an office of State Finance and Fiscal Responsibility to address funding issues involving state agencies, including food stamps and Medicaid.

He plans to require state agencies every 90 days to provide financial reports that compare budgeted expenses to actual expenses.

Mike Mazzei said now that the election is finished he will be taking a few days off.

“My wife and I are headed to an undisclosed location for a couple of days because my wife’s birthday is Saturday and I promised her a beach house somewhere in North America,” he said.