Mazzei Taps Brother to Lead Transition

Oklahoma’s Next Governor Sets Transition Plan, Brother to Lead Team

Oklahoma City – Gov.-elect Mike Mazzei has officially kicked off his transition to the state’s highest office, tapping his brother, Dan Mazzei, to lead the effort. The announcement, reported by the Oklahoma Voice on Wednesday, sets the stage for the financial planner from Tulsa to build his incoming administration ahead of his swearing-in as the state’s 29th governor on Jan. 11.

Mazzei’s victory on Tuesday was decisive, as he defeated Democrat Cyndi Munson and three independent candidates to secure the governorship. According to the Oklahoma State Election Board, he garnered nearly 52% of the vote, compared to Munson’s nearly 46%. This transition comes as outgoing Gov. Kevin Stitt, in his final months of a second term, prepares to leave office due to term limits.

A Lean Campaign, a New Administration

“We ran a lean, scrappy campaign with a small team,” Mazzei said, a detail made more striking by the fact that he loaned his own campaign a record $13 million. Now, he’s shifting focus from a tight-knit campaign to a broader state government. “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.”

Governor-Elect Mike Mazzei addresses transition plans at Oklahoma State Capitol

He’s opened the door for others to join, encouraging interested applicants to submit resumes to mikeforok.com. “We’re looking for talented, hardworking people who share our commitment to serving Oklahomans and delivering results,” Mazzei stated. This call for resumes signals a departure from the campaign’s small core, though Mazzei, who served as budget secretary under Stitt, has not said whether any members of the current administration will be retained.

Addressing Funding Challenges

Beyond personnel, Mazzei’s transition plans center on a signature issue: fiscal responsibility. He expects to create an office of State Finance and Fiscal Responsibility, a move aimed directly at addressing ongoing funding challenges for state agencies. This includes critical programs like food stamps and Medicaid. A key component of his plan is a new requirement for state agencies to provide financial reports every 90 days, comparing their budgeted expenses to actual spending.

Mike Mazzei lays out initial plans as new Oklahoma governor during first news conference since el…

Mazzei also emphasized the importance of a collaborative start. He confirmed he will be working with House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, and Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, to establish key priorities. The goal, he said, is to ensure a “very effective first 100 days” for his new administration, setting a clear agenda for action from day one.

The Human Side of the Transition

With the election finished, he said he and his wife are taking a short break. “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.