Head of Oklahoma state veterans agency to run for governor

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs is jumping into the governor’s race. Republican Joel Kintsel, a lieutenant colonel in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, announced his candidacy on Friday.

Kintsel alleges Gov. Kevin Stitt’s administration is rife with cronyism and that Oklahoma needs a governor with higher ethical standards.

A native of Oilton, Oklahoma, Kintsel served for 14 years as Oklahoma House parliamentarian under several different House speakers.

Kintsel joins fellow Republicans Mark Sherwood and Moira McCabe who also are challenging Stitt in the GOP primary, set to take place on June 28th.

The formal candidate filing begins next week.