Hern wins GOP primary for Mullin’s Senate seat in Oklahoma

Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) is projected to win the Republican primary for Senate in Oklahoma, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Hern effectively cleared the field when he entered the race in March, shortly after Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin vacated his Senate seat to join President Trump’s Cabinet.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) appointed Sen. Alan Armstrong (R-Okla), an oil executive, to fill Mullin’s seat in the interim, but state law prohibited Armstrong from running for a full term in the 2026 cycle.

Hern was endorsed by Trump, Stitt, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chair Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Oklahoma’s senior Sen. James Lankford (R).

The Oklahoma Republican — a wealthy businessman who at one point owned 18 McDonald’s franchises in the Tulsa area — was first elected to the House in 2018 and was most recently chair of the House Republican Policy Committee and the Republican Study Committee.

Hern was the clear frontrunner in the race, but even in the weeks leading up to the election, a significant share of Oklahoma voters were undecided. In a poll of likely voters conducted on June 2-3, Hern led the primary pack with 41 percent support, followed by country music singer Gary “Ty” England with 8 percent support. Forty-four percent of likely voters said they were still undecided.

Hern built his campaign touting his “America First” record in Congress, his relationship with President Trump, and his low-income background and eventual success as an entrepreneur.

“I grew up on an Air Force base, worked my way through school, built businesses, and served Oklahoma in Congress,” he said in a social media post alongside a video announcing his candidacy in March. “Now I’m ready to fight for Oklahoma in the Senate.”