Mike Hunter Replaces Scott Pruitt as Oklahoma’s Attorney General

Mike Hunter

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin has appointed Secretary of State Mike Hunter to succeed Scott Pruitt as the state’s next attorney general, according to a news report by The Oklahoman.

Pruitt was confirmed last week to become the new Environmental Protection Agency administrator.

Hunter was named Oklahoma’s first assistant attorney general in June 2015, serving as chief legal advisor to Attorney General Scott Pruitt. In October of 2016, Governor Fallin appointed Hunter as the new Secretary of State, replacing Chris Benge who become Fallin’s chief of staff. Hunter previously served as Secretary of State under the Keating administration.

The next attorney general will be elected in 2018.

“I appreciate the confidence placed in me by Governor Fallin,” said Hunter, in a news release announcing his appointment. “I enjoyed working in her administration and look forward to continuing to assist whenever possible to improve our state.”

“Mike understands the law and has a thorough understanding of state government, which will serve him and the state well,” said Governor Fallin. “Mike also understands the importance of public service and he will be a tremendous advocate to protect the basic legal rights for Oklahomans.”

Assistant Secretary of State Tod Wall will temporarily assume the duties of secretary of state until the governor names a successor for the post.