GOP Rep. Kevin Hern announced his campaign Wednesday for an open Senate seat in Oklahoma to replace Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who President Donald Trump tapped to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
Hern, who chairs the Republican Policy Committee, is the first high-profile GOP candidate to officially enter the race for Mullin’s seat, which was already on the ballot this year.
Trump nominated Mullin last week to lead DHS. He’d replace ousted Secretary Kristi Noem, whose leadership amid his immigration crackdown caused months of turmoil and negative press for the agency.
Trump’s choice of a sitting senator sets up a reliable path to confirmation, with some Senate Democrats already open to voting for their colleague in the chamber.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt will have 30 days to appoint a temporary replacement to serve the remainder of the term. But per state law, the interim senator must pledge not to run for a full term — and with an already thin Republican House majority, Stitt may be less inclined to appoint a sitting House member.
In his announcement video, Hern positioned himself as a staunch Trump ally and defender of the president’s “America First” agenda. His campaign has already lined up support from several Senate Republicans, including Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.).
First elected to Congress in 2018, Hern currently represents Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District, which includes Tulsa.
The filing deadline for the seat is April 3, and the primary election will take place June 16.
