Governor Kevin Stitt has appointed Steven W. Taylor to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Pending Senate confirmation, Taylor will serve a nine year term, effective May 17.

“Chief Justice Taylor has been a dedicated public servant for the people of Oklahoma his entire career,” said Stitt. “He has a passion for education and a love for our great state. He will be an impactful addition to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education as we work to move our state forward.”

During his time on the court, Taylor served as Chief Justice from 2011-2013. He voted against almost every law to end or restrict abortion in Oklahoma. Taylor holds a B.A. in political science from Oklahoma State University and a Juris Doctor degree from The University of Oklahoma College of Law.

In March 1984, Governor George Nigh appointed Taylor Associate District Judge for Pittsburg County. In 1991, he was the first Associate District Judge ever to be elected President of the Oklahoma Judicial Conference. In 1994, Taylor was elected District Judge of the 18th Judicial District. In 1997 and 2003, he was elected Presiding Judge of the ten county East-Central Judicial Administrative District. In his over 20 years as a trial judge, he presided over more than 500 jury trials including the state trial of the Oklahoma City bombing case.