GOP Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma launched his bid Wednesday for the Senate seat held by Markwayne Mullin, now that President Trump has tapped Mr. Mullin to head the Department of Homeland Security.
In his launch video, Mr. Hern said he is running for the Senate because “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.”
Mr. Hern touted his relationship with the president, adding that he is running “to ensure President Trump has a loyal ally” in the Senate. He included a clip of Mr. Trump saying the Oklahoman has “done a great job.”
Having served in Congress since 2018, Mr. Hern serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and is chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee.
Abiding by House rules requiring members to resign if they run for higher office, he will exit his leadership role. The move set the stage for California Rep. Jay Obernolte’s campaign launch Wednesday for the leadership post, first reported by Punchbowl News.
Mr. Trump announced last week that he was demoting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, appointing Mr. Mullin to fill the role beginning March 31.
If the Senate confirms Mr. Mullin for the Cabinet post, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt will appoint someone to close out the remainder of his Senate term, which ends in January 2027.
Under state law, the appointee must sign an affidavit agreeing not to run for a full term. Mr. Hern has unilaterally removed himself as a potential temporary replacement by campaigning for the full six-year term.
Mr. Hern is the first candidate to formally enter the race to succeed Mr. Mullin, but he is not the only Oklahoma representative to express interest in the seat.
Rep. Stephanie Bice teased a potential campaign last week, saying that she has “received encouragement from every corner of this great state to run for the US Senate.” Filling the upcoming Oklahoma Senate vacancy is “something I’m carefully considering,” she said.
The GOP primary election is scheduled for June 16.
