The nomination of embattled state tourism director Shelly Zumwalt to be Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt’s cabinet secretary for tourism, wildlife and heritage has been withdrawn from consideration, The Oklahoman reported.
The revocation was sent by Stitt in a letter to Sen. Greg Treat (R-OKC) on Friday.
“I respectfully wish to withdraw the nomination and appointment order filed on January 16 against Shelly Zumwalt as an appointed member of the Governor’s Cabinet to serve as Secretary of Tourism, Wildlife and Cultural Heritage,” Stitt wrote. “Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.”
The letter followed Mr. Treat’s statement that he was unsure whether the Senate would advise and consent to Mr. Zumwalt’s nomination. Zumwalt was heavily criticized in an audit released by state Auditor and Inspector General Cindy Byrd. “That’s questionable,” Treat said. “I can’t make any guarantees either way.”
Treat said the Senate is committed to ensuring that Zumwalt is treated fairly during the confirmation process, but added: “We want to take the executive nomination process very seriously.”
On Friday, Mr. Stitt hinted to reporters on Capitol Hill that Mr. Zumwalt may resign from the Cabinet after the release of the Byrd audit. “She said, ‘Governor, I’m stepping down from the cabinet and focusing on tourism until this is all resolved. So we can do that,'” Stitt said. Told.
Zumwalt currently serves as the state’s tourism secretary. She has no intention of resigning from her position, she said at a hastily called press conference last week.
Mr. Zumwalt’s decision to withdraw his nomination was praised by Attorney General Gentner Drummond.
“I commend Governor Stitt for rescinding Mr. Zumwalt’s nomination. Mr. Zumwalt should not be allowed to serve in a leadership position overseeing the spending of our tax dollars,” Drummond told The Oklahoman. ” he said in the text. “I called on Ms. Zumwalt to resign last week after an audit revealed that she had diverted millions of dollars to her husband’s company, but she refused. Governor Stitt is calling for more public funds. employment should be terminated immediately to prevent abuse.
The controversy began last week after state Comptroller and Comptroller Cindy Byrd released the results of her audit of federal pandemic funds from 2022, harshly criticizing both the Office of Emergency Management and Zumwalt. At the time, Zumwalt was the managing director of OMES.
After Mr. Byrd’s audit was lifted, Mr. Drummond called for Mr. Zumwalt’s resignation.
