Randy Krehbiel

Tulsa World Reporter

A little-known clause in the state constitution has disqualified a long-time Republican operative and associate of Gov. Kevin Stitt from becoming Oklahoma secretary of state.

Last month Stitt said Donelle Harder would succeed Josh Cockroft in that position, but this week it was discovered Harder is not eligible for the job because she has not been a registered Oklahoma voter long enough.

"Despite my Oklahoma roots … and despite my years of service to U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe in Washington, D.C., the law requires 10 years as a registered voter in Oklahoma," Harder posted on Facebook. "I’ve only accrued about eight years, and time as a voter in other states doesn’t count."

Stitt's office said Harder will instead by his chief of staff, and Ben Lepak, wh

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