Oklahoma is about to become one of the rare states with multiple governor’s mansions!
After years of teasing, the green light was finally given to the brand new, $6–8 million private residence for future governors. If everything goes according to plan, it should be ready for the new first family in November 2026:
Via Oklahoma Voice:
A new residence for Oklahoma’s first family on the grounds of the current governor’s mansion was approved Thursday by the Capitol Preservation Commission.
The project will be funded through private donations. A private foundation had raised $6 million for the new residence as of 2022, according to reporting from The Oklahoman.
The new residence is expected to be completed by November 2026, said Trait Thompson, chair of the commission. Gov. Kevin Stitt will not use the new residence, but the next Oklahoma governor should be able to occupy it if the project goes according to schedule, he said.
The [current] mansion was built in 1928 and underwent a $2 million renovation in 2021.
Despite the renovations, the mansion is no longer fit for the standards of what modern families need, Thompson said.
Hey, I know it’s fun to troll government excesses and poke fun at elitists who think an old mansion isn’t good enough, but I actually don’t have a big problem with this.
If the original spot is as big a dump as they say – remember how hard it was to keep the hot tub water nice and comfortable – maybe it’s time we do build a more suitable and modern residence for future governors, and convert the old one to a museum, public event center or – best of all – a trailer park.
Plus, it’s being paid for by rich people who want to stay anonymous until the very end, so it doesn’t cost the taxpayers a dime. Nothing weird or strange about that. It’s a free mansion!
Well, actually.
Probably due to the negative optics associated with building a new $6-million governor’s mansion while the current governor is using state resources to crack down on homeless camps in Tulsa, the people who are funding the new mansion want to keep that a secret.
KFOR’s been trying to get the donor list ever since Ali Meyer first harassed Carly Atchison about the new Governor’s Private Residence years ago. Although it did result in a fun tiff between Ali and Storme Jones over the coverage, the station hasn’t gotten any closer to the answer.
Via KFOR:
The First Family Residence group with the project has said before that it will be built through donations totaling around $6 million. That money comes from donations, but who or what sent in the donations won’t be revealed until the project is completed, according to Bob Ross, who is in charge of the funds.
Yep, that’s right. OKC Fridayland fixture Bob Ross – the Gaylord heir, Young Presidents capo and Inasmuch Foundation treasure chest keeper – is in charge of the funds. Honestly, that just tells me the mansion is probably being funded by the same people who usually pay for and fund these things and – not coincidentally – guide and steer Oklahoma government. You know, the Harold Hamms, Clayton Bennetts, and Brent Swadleys of the world.
Even though rich people who want to anonymously give money away usually get their way, State Rep. Andy Fugate is trying to drag things out:
“Anytime you have people stepping up to spend large dollar amounts to help somebody, you just have to ask why,” said Representative Andy Fugate (D-Del City).
Rep. Fugate has asked for an Attorney General’s opinion to see if using the funds and building what seems to be a second residence is even legal.
“Why do they need to be anonymous? Step up. We put a dome on the Capitol building. The donors for that all put their name on the line,” said Rep. Fugate.
Man, that has to be a tough call for Gentner.
I’m sure he wouldn’t mind a fancy new modern house if he were to win the governorship, but then again, does he really want to live in a house that Stitt will get credit for building? I seriously doubt it. He’d probably rather eat one of The Pioneer Woman's black bean burgers than let Kevin taunt him over that. I think we all know which way that opinion will go.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
