By Rick Maranon, FOX23.com News Staff
OKLAHOMA CITY — Speculation is growing about who could become Oklahoma’s next temporary U.S. Senator if Markwayne Mullin leaves the seat to join the Trump Administration.
Last week, President Donald Trump fired Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security and nominated Mullin to replace her.
If the U.S. Senate confirms Mullin, he would have to vacate his Senate seat to serve in the president’s cabinet. This would trigger a temporary appointment by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt.
Stitt told reporters he’s excited for Mullin and expects to appoint someone to serve until the end of the year.
“We’re excited for Senator Mullin — now Secretary Mullin — and we’re really pumped about him getting that promotion and working with President Trump,” Stitt said. “We’ll find a great Oklahoman to sit in that seat until the end of the year.”
Despite being fired, Stitt said Noem has continued working and even contacted him after recent tornadoes in Oklahoma.
“Secretary Noem called me just checking in on us,” the governor said.
For the first time since 2021, a relatively new Oklahoma law would guide the appointment process. Under the lawn the governor must appoint someone from the same political party as the departing senator within 30 days of the vacancy.
The law also states the person must have been a member of that party for at least five years and signs an oath agreeing not to run for the full Senate term.
Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert said the law passed when the U.S. Senate had razor-thin margins.
“At the time the Senate was either 50-50 or 51-49,” Hilbert said. “Very tight margins.”
Several potential candidates have surfaced as speculation grows. Former Broken Arrow State Senator Nathan Dahm posted on social media saying he would be honored to serve, if asked.
Billionaire oil executive Harold Hamm has also reportedly expressed interest.
FOX23 has also been told several close Stitt aides could be under consideration, including Donelle Harder, David Ostrowe, and Dustin Hillary.
Former Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor is another name circulating. Stitt strongly supported O’Connor during his 2022 campaign for a full term, which he narrowly lost.
When asked whether he might appoint himself, Stitt laughed and declined to answer.
The interim senator would serve only until the end of the year but would still have a front-row seat in Washington, D.C. and participate in the Republican State majority.
They would also carry the title ‘senator; for life and likely gain access to the president. However, Senate rules mean the person would not serve long enough to receive a full Senate pension.
The debate over the temporary appointment is separate from the race for the full Senate term.
FOX23 sources said Tulsa Congressman Kevin Hern is making arrangements to run for the seat. In Oklahoma City, Republican Congresswoman Stephanie Bice is also considering a bid.
Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell posted on social media that he is finished with politics and will seek new endeavors at the end of the year, despite there being speculation he would seek Hern’s seat if Hern ran for Mullin’s seat.
