Governor of Oklahoma - Creation and History

Creation and History

Before statehood in 1907, modern day Oklahoma was composed of Oklahoma and Indian Territories. While Indian Territory remained under the semi-independence of the Indian nations, Oklahoma Territory was organized territory under the supervision of the United States Congress. Within the Territory, a tripartite government existed, including a Territorial Assembly, a Territorial Supreme Court, and a Territorial Governor.

The executive branch of the territory’s government was headed by the Governor of Oklahoma Territory. The governor was appointed by the President of the United States to serve a four year term. Despite a set term, the governor served at the pleasure of the President. The President could remove the governor from office at any moment.

The Governor was the head of the Government of the Territory. He had the power to veto legislation proposed by the Territorial Legislature and the power to appoint member to his cabinet, who in turn had to be ratified by the Legislature. The Governor had the power to appoint Justices to the Territory’s Supreme Court. The Governor was responsible to the President on addressing issues in the territory and served as the representative as the federal government of the United States. He was also the Commander in Chief of the Territory’s militia.

After the Oklahoma Constitution was written and accepted in 1907, Oklahoma and Indian Territories was joined as the State of Oklahoma. The office of Territorial Governor was replaced by the Governor of Oklahoma. The new office possessed many of the Territorial Governor’s powers and similar responsibilities. However, the Governor was designed with many restrictions, limits, and Legislative and Judicial oversight. This was done under the “weak governor system” to not allow the abuse of power that had occurred under the Territorial government.

After the first governor Charles N. Haskell left office in 1911, the executive branch saw a vast reduction in its powers. Governor Haskell, considered the father of the Oklahoma Constitution, knew the office inside and out. This allowed him to amass a great deal of executive power and influence over every aspect of state government. However, in the twenty years after Haskell, the Legislature drained the governor of his powers and severely weakened the office. It was not until William H. Murray, another of the Constitution’s authors, in 1935 did the Governorship get back its powers.

As Oklahoma grew and the state government expanded, the Governor became gradually more powerful. As more agencies were introduced, the Governor’s appointment power extended to them all, granting him greater indirect influence over the government. Also, initially the Governor was not eligible to immediately succeed himself after being elected. It was not until 1966 when Oklahoma amended the Constitution to allow the Governor to serve two consecutive terms.