Joel Kintsel to challenge Gov. Kevin Stitt in GOP primary

Joel Kintsel, a former Republican parliamentarian for the Oklahoma House of Representatives has announced his campaign to unseat incumbent Governor Kevin Stitt. Kintsel made news in March for claiming there was a politically-motivated computer breach at the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs that was indirectly aimed at him.

Joel Kintsel Announces for Oklahoma Governor

(April 7th) Joel Kintsel announced his candidacy for the office of Oklahoma Governor and will challenge the current governor for the Republican nomination. Kintsel is a Ronald Reagan conservative.

“Throughout my career, I have served the people of Oklahoma and I am honored today to announce my candidacy for Governor. Oklahoma is in desperate need of a governor who will obey the law, set high ethical standards and do things by the book. The Stitt Administration is rife with corruption, self-dealing and cronyism and Oklahomans deserve another choice.”

Joel grew up in Oilton, Oklahoma in Creek County and graduated from Cimarron Christian Academy. Joel earned his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University and his law degree from the University of Oklahoma. Joel enlisted in the Oklahoma National Guard in 2001.

In addition to serving as the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of [Veterans] Affairs (ODVA), Joel is a lieutenant colonel in the Oklahoma Air National Guard and is the Staff Judge Advocate of the 137th Special Operations Wing at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City. 

In 2019, Joel completely redrafted the Oklahoma Military Code for the Oklahoma National Guard, bringing the Code into the modern era. Prior to coming to ODVA, Joel served as Parliamentarian for fourteen years under seven Speakers at the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Joel is a problem solver with demonstrated ability to take complex legal problems and challenges and develop solutions beneficial to all parties. Joel’s long-standing reputation in Oklahoma is that of a uniter and not a divider. 

“If elected, my first priority will be to clean up the corruption and mismanagement left behind by the Stitt Administration. We cannot allow Stitt and his buddies to continue enriching themselves at the taxpayer’s expense. Let’s stand together and set things right for Oklahoma. Let’s create a future where all Oklahomans have the opportunity to succeed and thrive.”