The latest drama in Oklahoma Republican politics just got a fresh chapter with a new Notus article highlighting the ongoing feud between President Donald Trump and Governor Kevin Stitt. Published on February 12, 2026, the piece details how Trump reignited his longstanding beef with Stitt, calling him a “RINO” on Truth Social and venting frustration over Stitt’s role as chair of the National Governors Association (NGA). The tension stems partly from a White House meeting setup and, more pointedly, from Stitt’s earlier endorsement of Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Republican presidential primary—something Trump hasn’t forgotten, even privately telling an Oklahoma donor in 2024 to tell Stitt to “go f**k himself” when a fundraiser came up.
This comes as Stitt continues leading the NGA, navigating invitations for governors to meet with Trump, but the bad blood is clear: Trump reminded everyone he endorsed and helped Stitt win reelection in 2022 when Stitt was struggling, only for Stitt to back DeSantis later.
But let’s zoom in on Oklahoma’s own backyard. Stitt wasn’t alone in backing DeSantis over Trump. A group of state legislators jumped on board, too, with reports from June 2023 confirming that 20 Oklahoma lawmakers endorsed Ron DeSantis ahead of his Tulsa campaign stop. Among the most prominent? Then-House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols (often listed as a key figure in leadership endorsements). Echols publicly stated, “We need a two-term President to unwind the unconstitutional and disastrous policies out of Washington, D.C., that have bolstered the federal government’s power to pick winners and losers across America,” praising DeSantis’s vision and fighting power for conservatives.
Echols didn’t just sign on—he was highlighted as one of the more prominent endorsers in announcements from the Never Back Down super PAC supporting DeSantis. A 2023 News On 6 report noted the endorsements, including Echols (referred to in some transcripts as a leadership figure), along with others like Deputy Majority Leader Trey Caldwell and Deputy Floor Leader John Pfeiffer. As a member of House leadership at the time, Echols was among the more prominent Oklahoma officials publicly backing DeSantis during the primary cycle.
Now, with public polling showing Echols as the leading candidate for Oklahoma Attorney General, it’s worth asking Oklahoma Republicans: What do you make of all this?
So, Oklahoma GOP voters: Does Echols’ early support of DeSantis (and snub of President Trump) align with the strong, America-First conservatism we need in our next Attorney General?
What do you think? Drop your thoughts below—we want to hear from real Oklahoma conservatives on whether Echols is the right choice for Attorney General. Stay tuned to OK GOP Uncovered for more on who’s really representing (or undermining) our values.
The Mics are Off, but the Talk Never Stops
OK GOP Uncovered