Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter announces resignation

May 26—Attorney General Mike Hunter announced his resignation on Wednesday, less than a week after filing for divorce from his wife, Cheryl.

The Oklahoman submitted questions to Hunter on Tuesday night about an extramarital affair that the newspaper confirmed through people familiar with the situation. The sources said the affair was with a state employee, who did not work in the attorney general's office.

In a statement, Hunter said, "It has been a distinct and absolute privilege of a lifetime to serve as the state's attorney general. Regrettably, certain personal matters that are becoming public will become a distraction for this office. 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.

"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."

His last day will be Tuesday, according to the statement. Gov. Kevin Stitt will appoint a replacement, who may serve until after voters choose the next attorney general in November 2022. It is unclear whom Stitt will choose as Hunter's replacement.

Stitt said Hunter told him about the resignation Wednesday morning.

"I respect his decision to do what he thinks is best for his office and the state of Oklahoma. I know he is going through a difficult time and I wish him, his family, and the employees of his office well," Stitt said.

Hunter, 64, filed for divorce Friday in Oklahoma County District Court. In his petition, he alleges as grounds for the divorce that a "state of complete and irreconcilable incompatibility has arisen between the parties."

His wife, Cheryl, also is an attorney. The couple have been married for 39 years.

Cheryl Hunter told The Oklahoman on Tuesday: "I am heartbroken and my priorities are to take care of my sons, my daughter-in-law, my grandson and my parents."

Hunter, a Republican, has been attorney general since 2017, when he was appointed by former Gov. Mary Fallin to fill the unexpired term of Scott Pruitt. Hunter was elected to a full term in 2018 and was planning to seek reelection in 2022.

Hunter, a Garfield County native who received his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University and his law degree at the University of Oklahoma, served in the state House of Representatives from 1985 to 1991 and ran unsuccessfully for attorney general in 1994.

He served as former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating's secretary of state and then followed Keating to Washington, working on his staff at the American Council of Life Insurers and the American Bankers Association. Keating on Wednesday called Hunter's affair, if true, "indefensible."

Hunter returned to Oklahoma in 2015 and became Pruitt's top deputy.

Hunter already has raised more than $150,000 for his 2022 campaign, his latest campaign finance report shows. He also had transferred $72,304 in leftover funds from the last campaign to his reelection effort.

Hunter made his marriage a part of his 2018 race.

"Mike is most proud of his accomplishments as a husband and a father," one campaign flyer stated. "He and his wife Cheryl have been married for 35 years."

Hunter's departure comes as his office is deeply involved in at least a couple of major efforts: the reshaping of criminal jurisdiction in eastern Oklahoma as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court decision involving the Muscogee Nation reservation, and the state's legal claims against opioid manufacturers.

The Oklahoman had asked Hunter to respond to questions about his affair by noon Wednesday. He did not.

Also asked about the affair, the state employee told The Oklahoman in an email, "I will not comment on what should be a private matter."

The employee, who now works at the state Insurance Department, filed for divorce in April from her husband of 25 years. The Oklahoman has decided not to name her at this time.

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