Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter announced his resignation on Wednesday for undisclosed reasons, citing "certain personal matters that are becoming public will become a distraction for this office."
Hunter, 64, is a Republican who was appointed by former Governor Mary Fallin to replace Scott Pruitt.
In February 2017, Pruitt resigned as Oklahoma Attorney General to work for former President Donald Trump's administration and lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
BREAKING: Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter announces his resignation. He will be stepping down effective June 1st. @koconews— Perris Jones (@Perris Jones) 1622044080
Though Hunter did not go into details, KFOR reported his surprise announcement may be due to his divorce from his wife of 39 years as a result of an extramarital affair with a state employee.
You can watch KFOR's coverage of Hunter's resignation, here:
I get to use my new favorite expression: Steeple fingers.pic.twitter.com/fDe2k2HohA— \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 Ryan "son of a nurse" Norman \ud83c\udf0a (@\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 Ryan "son of a nurse" Norman \ud83c\udf0a) 1622066447
Grab the popcorn, this should be good! How many skeletons are in his closet?— John Wayne Buckner (@John Wayne Buckner) 1622052038
Hunter said his resignation as Attorney General will be effective June 1.
Another one bites the dust. \nKeep em comin.— RayleenGale \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@RayleenGale \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1622068520
He also said in his statement:
"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."
Last week Hunter filed for divorce in Oklahoma County District Court, alleging the grounds for separating were due to "complete and irreconcilable incompatibility" between him and his wife.
She can do better.— Ice Cherry (@Ice Cherry) 1622044750
Sources confirmed to The Oklahoman Hunter had an affair with a state employee who did not work in the Attorney General's office.
When asked about the affair, the unnamed state employee said:
"I will not comment on what should be a private matter."
According to the media outlet, she also filed for divorce from her husband of 25 years in April.
Another REPUBLICAN FAMILY VALUES scandal!— Tricia\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a (@Tricia\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a) 1622057675
The party of family values and personal responsibility strikes again.— Tom Katt (@Tom Katt) 1622081802
In December, Hunter aided in Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results by joining 16 other states in signing a brief in support of the Texas Attorney General's lawsuit against four states won by President Joe Biden.
The suit alleged Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin were in violation of the Electors Clause and the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
It also claimed the states contradicted "fundamental principles of ballot security. "
Governor Kevin Stitt will appoint Hunter's replacement but it is unclear whom Stitt will choose to replace him.
Said Stitt about Hunter stepping down:
"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."
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