Rep. Kevin Hern Announces Oklahoma Senate Bid

Tulsa, Oklahoma Republican Congressman Kevin Hern announced his candidacy on Wednesday for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Senator Markwayne Mullin, who has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Hern, seeking a full six-year term, enters the race as the first major Republican contender following Mullin's expected departure.

The announcement comes after Trump last week selected Mullin to replace Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, with the president indicating a start date of March 31 pending Senate confirmation. Mullin, who joined the Senate in 2023 after a special election to succeed retiring Senator Jim Inhofe, previously served four terms in the House. If confirmed, Mullin would leave his seat vacant, prompting Republican Governor Kevin Stitt to appoint an interim replacement to serve until January 2027. Under Oklahoma law, that appointee must sign an affidavit pledging not to seek the full term in the November election, effectively excluding Hern from consideration for the temporary role.

Hern, 64, has represented Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District since 2018 and currently chairs the House...