By Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice
OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt on Monday appointed a Woodward attorney to serve on the Oklahoma Supreme Court.
Travis Jett’s selection marks Stitt’s fourth appointment on the state’s highest court. The court has nine members.
“I’m committed to using all of my abilities to make sure that the law is applied in a fair, predictable and just manner,” Jett said.
Jett replaces Yvonne Kauger, who voters removed from her post during a November retention vote. Kauger’s defeat marked the first time in history that voters opted not to retain an Oklahoma Supreme Court justice.
Kauger was one of three justices targeted by dark money groups, including one with ties to Stitt, for being too old and too liberal and being appointed by a Democrat governor.
Voters kept the other two justices, Noma Guruch and James Edmondson, on the bench.
“As he takes a seat on the bench, I look forward to his prudent interpretation of the Constitution and the new energy he brings to the court,” Stitt said.
Stitt and Jett took no questions at a press conference Monday announcing the selection.
While Jett’s bio contains no previous judicial experience, the Governor’s Office said he has represented a former governor and the State Board of Education. He’s also represented other clients before the state’s ethics, corporation and tax commissions. Jett has also presented oral arguments before Oklahoma’s highest court.
Jett graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2008 with a bachelor’s in agribusiness. He earned a law degree in 2011 from Georgetown University.
He is a past state and national president of the FFA.
Jett previously worked in private practice for GableGotwals, Fellers Snider, and Crowe & Dunlevy before returning to Northwest Oklahoma to practice with the Hodgden Law Firm in Woodward.
He’ll be sworn into his new role on the State Supreme Court at a later date.
