Kevin Hern Senate Bid Kicks Off Race for Oklahoma's Open Seat

What Happened

Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) on Wednesday formally launched his campaign for the Oklahoma Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who is awaiting confirmation as President Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Homeland Security. Hern, a four-term congressman representing Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District, is the first high-profile Republican to enter what is expected to be a crowded primary in the ruby-red state.

The news was first reported by Politico, which noted that Hern — a wealthy businessman and former McDonald's franchise owner — stepped down from his role as chair of the House Republican Policy Committee to comply with House GOP conference rules requiring members to relinquish leadership posts when running for another office.

In a campaign announcement video, Hern framed his Kevin Hern Oklahoma Senate race entry in combative terms: "The American Dream is under threat by the radical left and RINO Republicans who oppose President Trump's America-first agenda and want to turn the United States into a third-world country." He closed by calling himself "America first and Oklahoma proud" and declaring, "Now I'm ready to fight for Oklahoma in the Senate."

Recap: How the Oklahoma Senate Seat Opened Up

Trump Taps Mullin for DHS

The Oklahoma Senate campaign 2026 cycle was upended on March 5, when President Trump announced on Truth Social that he was nominating Mullin to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security, replacing Kristi Noem. The seat was already on the ballot in November, but Mullin's departure to the executive branch transforms the race into an open-seat contest — the most competitive kind.

Trump praised the Markwayne Mullin successor move in his post: "I am pleased to announce that the Highly Respected United States Senator from the Great State of Oklahoma, Markwayne Mullin, will become the United States Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), effective March 31, 2026." He added that "Markwayne will make a spectacular Secretary of Homeland Security."

Trump also addressed Noem's departure, saying the outgoing secretary "has served us well, and has had numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!)" and would transition to a new role as Special Envoy for "The Shield of the Americas," a Western Hemisphere security initiative.

Why Noem Was Replaced

The Mullin nomination came amid reported frustrations within the Trump administration over Noem's tenure at DHS. According to Politico, concerns included how she used DHS funding, her controversial relationship with special adviser Corey Lewandowski — who reportedly played an outsized role at the agency — and White House allies blaming her for chaotic fallout from a DHS enforcement surge in Minneapolis earlier in 2026. Noem also refused to answer questions from House Democrats about her relationship with Lewandowski during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on March 4, 2026.

Kevin Hern Republican Credentials and Early Endorsements

Hern moved quickly to consolidate support. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) endorsed him, calling him "a strong conservative leader who … would be a great addition to the Senate." Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) said Hern is "a strong, pro-Trump conservative who will make a great US Senator."

Hern has served in the House since 2018, representing the Tulsa-based 1st District. His tenure as chair of the House Republican Policy Committee gave him a perch in GOP leadership, though he was required to vacate it upon announcing his Senate campaign.

The Competitive Field

Hern is not expected to have the Oklahoma Senate seat to himself for long. The Journal Record reported as early as March 10 — the day before Hern's formal announcement — that Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.) were also weighing bids for the open seat. Gov. Kevin Stitt cannot appoint himself to temporarily fill Mullin's seat under the Oklahoma Constitution, but he could legally run in an election for the seat.

Hern's departure from the House also opens up his 1st Congressional District seat. Republican state Rep. Mark Tedford announced Wednesday he would seek the seat, launching his campaign with a $500,000 personal loan.

Hill & Administration Take

On the Hill

The immediate congressional impact of Hern's decision is the vacancy it creates atop the House Republican Policy Committee. Hern's exit from that leadership post could trigger a jockeying among House Republicans to fill the role.

Mullin's confirmation process for the DHS secretary position remains pending before the Senate. No specific hearing date for his confirmation was identified in available reporting, though his nomination is the triggering event for the entire Oklahoma Senate campaign 2026 contest.

No bills from the current Congress were identified in the available data as directly relevant to the Oklahoma Senate vacancy or the special election process.

From the Administration

President Trump's March 5 Truth Social post announcing Mullin's nomination remains the administration's primary public statement on the matter. No public statement from Trump specifically about Kevin Hern's Senate bid was found in available reporting. The administration's focus has been on the Mullin-for-Noem transition at DHS and the launch of the "Shield of the Americas" initiative.

What the Media Is Reporting

Coverage of Hern's announcement has been widespread, with several outlets surfacing details beyond the initial Politico report. KFOR reported that under Oklahoma law, Gov. Stitt has 30 days to decide on an interim replacement for Mullin's seat until a special election or the regular 2026 election takes place — a procedural detail absent from Politico's coverage. The Hill contextualized the race within the broader 2026 midterm landscape, noting the significance of the vacancy aligning with an already-scheduled election cycle. The Journal Record provided the most expansive look at the potential Republican primary field, reporting that Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and Rep. Stephanie Bice were both weighing their options before Hern's formal announcement — suggesting the primary could feature multiple candidates with statewide or congressional profiles. Roll Call detailed Hern's early Senate endorsements and the downstream effect on the 1st District House race, including Tedford's $500,000 campaign loan.

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