Trump's pick for DHS secretary leaves U.S. Senate vacancy in deep-red Oklahoma
PBS • • nation
Key Points:
- President Donald Trump plans to nominate U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma as Homeland Security secretary, creating a Senate vacancy in Oklahoma.
- Under a new state law, Governor Kevin Stitt will appoint Mullin's replacement, who cannot run in the next election to prevent incumbency advantage.
- Mullin was elected in 2022 to complete the late Sen. Jim Inhofe's term and did not serve a full six-year term.
- The vacancy may trigger a competitive race, with potential candidates including U.S. Reps. Kevin Hern, Stephanie Bice, and former House Speaker T.W. Shannon.
- Oklahoma's filing period for the Senate race begins April 1, with Republicans favored to retain
