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Jeff Starling
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Jeff Starling | |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment | |
| Assumed office December 3, 2024 | |
| Governor | Kevin Stitt |
| Preceded by | Ken McQueen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 4, 1974 Danville, Virginia, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Education | Wake Forest University (BA, JD) |
Jeff Starling (born August 4, 1974) is an American attorney and businessman who has served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment in the administration of Governor Kevin Stitt since 2024. A member of the Republican Party, Starling has more than 20 years of experience in law, business, and public service.
Early life and education
[edit]Starling was raised in Danville, Virginia. He earned his Bachelor's degree in 1996 and his Juris Doctor in 2003 from Wake Forest University. Following his undergrad, Starling worked as a legislative aide to U.S. Senator John Warner of Virginia.[1]
Career
[edit]After law school, Starling clerked for U.S. District Court Judge Samuel Grayson Wilson.[citation needed]
In 2004, Starling joined McGuireWoods, an international law firm, where he served as an associate and later as a partner for eight years. He represented clients in various industries including agricultural and energy producers, manufacturers, and Fortune 500 companies.[citation needed] In 2011, Starling was recognized as a “Rising Star” by Virginia Super Lawyers magazine.[2]
In 2012, Starling and his family moved to Oklahoma. He joined Devon Energy, where he served as assistant general counsel and senior counsel. In 2019, he joined the senior management team of Lagoon Water Midstream, which had operations in Oklahoma and Texas. Lagoon was acquired by Deep Blue in 2024.[3]
In 2020, Starling was appointed Chair of the Republican Senatorial Committee (RSC), which supports Republican candidates for the Oklahoma State Senate. He guided the organization through an ethics investigation concerning impermissible contributions that predated his tenure.[4]
Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment
[edit]Starling was appointed Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment by Governor Kevin Stitt on December 3, 2024, replacing Ken McQueen.[5][6] Starling has advocated for eliminating green energy subsidies and for promoting the development of Oklahoma’s natural resources to strengthen domestic energy production.[7]
In June 2025, Jeff Starling and U.S. Representative Josh Brecheen co-authored a national editorial in The Washington Examiner criticizing federal green energy subsidies and urging Congress to end them.[7]
Beginning in 2014, Starling served as an advisor to the State Chamber of Oklahoma where he led legal and labor reform efforts, including tort reform. In 2024, he was appointed to the Oklahoma Task Force for the Study of Business Courts,[8] where he supported the establishment of business courts in Oklahoma. In an editorial in The Oklahoman, Starling stated these courts would “streamline litigation and reduce the time it takes to resolve disputes,” thereby saving “businesses time and money.”[9]
2026 attorney general campaign
[edit]On July 1, 2025, Starling launched his campaign for Oklahoma Attorney General, describing himself as a political outsider focused on protecting the state’s “rule of law” and “way of life.”[10][self-published source?]
In an editorial published in The Journal Record, Starling stated one of his objectives as Attorney General would be to “open Oklahoma for business” by modernizing the state’s legal system, reducing regulatory barriers, and addressing public safety.[11] In an interview with The Daily Ardmoreite, Starling outlined additional priorities, including combating the spread of fentanyl, addressing foreign criminal influences such as illegal marijuana grow operations in rural areas, and maintaining the political independence of the Attorney General’s office by focusing on anti-corruption measures and taxpayer protection.[12]
Since launching his campaign in July 2025, Starling has reported raising a record amount for an Oklahoma Attorney General candidate, citing broad support from individuals across the state.[13][self-published source?]
References
[edit]- ^ "Breaking: Governor Stitt Names Jeff Starling as Oklahoma Secretary of Energy & Environment". City News OKC. December 4, 2024. Retrieved October 31, 2025.
- ^ "McGuireWoods' Virginia Lawyers Named Super Lawyers "Rising Stars"". McGuireWoods. June 22, 2011. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
- ^ McNutt, Michael (2024-12-03). "Great escape-goat? Stitt fires McQueen for attending poultry lawsuit hearing". NonDoc. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
- ^ "Oklahoma Senate PAC agrees to pay fines to state, dissolve". KOCO. Associated Press. July 12, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2025.
- ^ "Governor Stitt Names Jeff Starling as Oklahoma Secretary of Energy & Environment". Governor J. Kevin Stitt. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
- ^ "Veteran Energy Expert Jeff Starling Appointed as Oklahoma's Secretary of Energy & Environment". Hoodline. 2024-12-04. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
- ^ a b Brecheen, Jeff Starling and Rep Josh (2025-06-24). "Senate should stop funding failure, repeal green subsidies". Washington Examiner. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
- ^ Evans, Murray. "Stitt fires state's energy and environment secretary over disagreement on poultry lawsuit". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
- ^ Starling, Jeff. "Here's why business courts are a game changer for Oklahoma| Opinion". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
- ^ Jeff Starling (2025-07-01). Jeff Starling for Oklahoma Attorney General. Retrieved 2025-10-31 – via YouTube.
- ^ Gregg, Emily (2025-09-23). "Starling: As AG, I'll make Oklahoma the nation's best state for business". Retrieved 2025-10-31.
- ^ Butler, Drew (2025-10-21). "Jumping out of the gates: AG candidate gains strong early support". The Ardmoreite. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
- ^ "Jeff Starling Raises Over $600,000 in Q3, Sets Fundraising Record for Oklahoma Attorney General Race". Jeff Starling for Oklahoma Attorney General. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
