Hot Seat: Gov. Stitt Communications Director Abegail Cave talks policy, media, and leadership

Abegail Cave, communications director for Gov. Kevin Stitt, discussed her role, the governor’s recent initiatives, and the evolving media landscape.

Cave, who joined Stitt’s administration about a year and a half ago, previously spent nine years in Washington, D.C., before returning to the Midwest. She said working in the governor’s office has been a rewarding experience, noting, "The people at the Capitol are great to work with. The governor's great to work for."

Daily Responsibilities

Cave described her job as a fast-paced role that involves monitoring local and national media to keep the governor informed and responding to various media requests.

“It can be a wide variety, and the topic can change on a dime, so we're always...moving and grooving and trying to keep up,” she said.

Governor’s Health and Energy Policy

Following a heart procedure last year, Cave said Stitt remains in good health and competitive in office fitness challenges. “He's doing great, very healthy,” she said. “In our office, we do a lot of trading of barbs on who’s the most athletic.”

Education and Board Changes

Regarding recent changes to the state’s education board, Cave said Stitt sought a “fresh set of eyes” to address long-standing issues.

She also addressed concerns over a proposal by State Superintendent Ryan Walters to collect students’ immigration statuses."The governor was pretty...forthcoming and pretty decisive when he said, we're not going to go after kids," said Cave.

Legislative Priorities

Stitt’s priorities for the current legislative session include tax cuts and business-friendly policies. Cave outlined his four main goals: protecting taxpayers, making Oklahoma the best state for business, safeguarding savings, and preserving the “Oklahoma way of life.”

Media Challenges and the Future of Journalism

Cave acknowledged the shrinking Capitol press corps and shifting media landscape. She praised local journalists for their commitment to fair reporting but noted challenges posed by rapid news cycles. “Local media gets a lot of props for covering issues that matter to their communities,” she said. “We don’t always see that with national outlets.”