Former OK Senate leader appointed Secretary of State

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Monday the appointment of former Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman as Oklahoma’s new secretary of state and Native American affairs.

Bingman, who also is a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, joined the Stitt administration in August as the governor’s new chief policy advisor and is expected to work as a liaison between the Legislature and governor’s office. He replaces former Secretary of State Michael Rogers, who resigned from the post earlier this month.

Stitt also announced Monday the resignation of Budget Secretary Mike Mazzei. Also a former state senator, Mazzei said in a statement it was the right time for him to return to his financial planning company. Stitt’s office did not announce a replacement for Mazzei.