CNN is projecting that Tulsa businessman and Republican gubernatorial candidate Kevin Stitt will be Oklahoma’s next governor, defeating Democratic opponent Drew Edmondson.
As of 8:50 p.m. Nov. 6, Stitt had received 501,186 votes, or 55.15 percent of the vote, while Edmondson garnered 293,218 votes with 41.38 percent of the vote, according to the Oklahoma State Election Board.
Stitt has no political experience, but has a business background as the founder of Gateway Mortgage. He received endorsements from U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and outgoing Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin.
Stitt was chosen as the Republican candidate for governor in an August runoff election against Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett.
As the general election neared, polls for Stitt’s race against Edmondson grew tighter.
Stitt’s plans for education include “to give schools the flexibility to use part of their current property tax revenue on teacher pay instead of being restricted to buildings and infrastructure,” expand AP classes through video technology, and give temporary bonuses to new teachers in an attempt to keep more Oklahoma graduates.
According to a News9 story, Stitt is a strong Second Amendment supporter and said that he would have signed a constitutional carry bill that Gov. Mary Fallin vetoed earlier this year.
On immigration, Stitt said during the campaign that he supports President Trump and that Oklahoma needs strong borders, according to a NewsOK article.
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