OKLAHOMA CITY – Citing personal reasons, Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter announced Wednesday that he will resign as the state’s top law enforcement officer effective June 1.
“Regrettably, certain personal matters that are becoming public will become a distraction for this office,” Hunter stated. “The office of attorney general is one of the most important positions in state government. I cannot allow a personal issue to overshadow the vital work the attorneys, agents and support staff do on behalf of Oklahomans.”
Hunter thanked the many employees in the AG’s office for their dedication to public service.
“It has been a distinct and absolute privilege of a lifetime to serve as the state’s attorney general,” he said. “I thank those who entrusted me to fulfill this role and I am very sorry that I will no longer be here. I also extend a very heartfelt appreciation for those employees who chose public service and to work for the office. The employees in the Attorney General’s Office are dedicated, driven and go to bed every night and wake up every morning with the safety of Oklahomans as their magnetic north. I truly appreciate everything they do.”
Hunter was elected as Oklahoma’s attorney general in November 2018. One of his biggest tasks was taking on the pharmaceutical industry for their part in Oklahoma’s alleged opioid abuse crisis. Hunter’s office filed a lawsuit against the giants of the industry and settled out of court with two companies for a combined $355 million. A historic eight-week trial against Johnson & Johnson ended with a victory for Oklahoma as a judge ordered the company to abate the ongoing opioid epidemic in Oklahoma. The state also was awarded $465 million.
Through the consumer protection unit, Hunter’s office has successfully prosecuted scam artists, shutting down their illicit enterprises.
At the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Hunter’s office represents ratepayers and ensures Oklahomans aren’t paying more than what is necessary for utility services. During his term, his team secured several settlement agreements with electric companies that have returned money to ratepayers or have held them harmless.
In 2018, the attorney general and his team secured a historic $64 million rate reduction settlement agreement for OG&E customers, resulting in lower utility bills. The settlement agreement represented the largest rate reduction ever for an Oklahoma energy utility.
According to the Oklahoma Constitution, Gov. Kevin Stitt is required to appoint Hunter’s replacement who will remain in office until January 2023 when the new attorney general will be sworn in following the November 2022 election. Hunter had planned to seek re-election next year.