OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Ethics Commission took steps last week to replace it executive director after she abruptly resigned.
Ashley Kemp, who served as executive director of the agency since 2016, submitted a letter of resignation last week. In her letter on July 14, Kemp wrote that she was frustrated by the lack of funding and support for the agency. She said the current funding levels of about $700,000 were not enough for the agency to do its job.
On July 21, the commission held a special meeting at the State Capitol to address Kemp’s resignation and review several pending cases currently in front of the agency. Though Kemp’s letter said she would be leaving her post, it did not specify when her last day would be.
“With the record budget year in Oklahoma for FY 24 there seemed every reason to expect an investment in the Commission to restore its education program, build upon its administrative compliance program, and devote resources to combatting the increased and exponential use of ‘dark money’ in Oklahoma campaigns,” Kemp said in her letter. “Unfortunately, that did not occur.”
The agency had requested a little more than $1 million for its budget but only received $687,950.
Created by State Question 627 in 1990, the Ethics Commission is Constitutional agency. The commission consist of five members appointed by the Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Attorney General, Governor and Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
The commission staff includes its executive director, general counsel and three compliance officers. The commission has not announced when it hopes to replace Kemp.