Oklahoma Gov. Addresses Alleged Tape of Officials Making Racist Remarks

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has called for the resignations of multiple McCurtain County officials after the surfacing of audio alleging to include violent and racist comments, including from a local sheriff.

Per a report from the Associated Press on Tuesday, Stitt said over the weekend that he was calling for McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy, Sheriff’s Captain Alicia Manning, District 2 Commissioner Mark Jennings, and Jail Administrator Larry Hendrix to step down from their respective positions.

“I am both appalled and disheartened to hear of the horrid comments made by officials in McCurtain County,” Stitt said. “There is simply no place for such hateful rhetoric in the state of Oklahoma, especially by those that serve to represent the community through their respective office.”

Complex has reached out to Stitt’s office for comment. This story may be updated.

The audio in question was first shared by regional outlet the McCurtain Gazette-News. In it, the officials in question are alleged to be heard making a number of troubling remarks during a March 2023 commission meeting.

The audio, detailed here, is reported to include remarks from the sheriff about knowing “an excavator.” Additionally, Jennings is alleged to have said they know multiple “hit men;” he’s also alleged to have complained about not being able to “hang [Black people] up with a damn rope.”