Hern Senate bid sparks House GOP leadership scramble

Kate Santaliz

A man in a navy suit and red striped tie speaks to reporters in a marble-walled hallway, surrounded by journalists holding smartphones and cameras. — Rep. Kevin Hern speaks to the media during a House Republican conference meeting on Oct. 24, 2023. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Rep. Kevin Hern's (R-Okla.) announcement Wednesday that he's running for Senate leaves open a GOP leadership slot that members are already jumping on.

Why it matters: Hern, who currently serves as chair of the Republican Policy Committee, is the first lawmaker to toss his hat into the ring to fill the upcoming Oklahoma Senate vacancy.

Hern will run for Markwayne Mullin's (R-Okla.) seat after President Trump nominated him to serve as Homeland Security secretary.
Per House rules, Hern has to step down from his leadership role, opening up a coveted slot in the conference.

State of play: Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) launched his bid Wednesday for Hern's leadership post in a letter to colleagues, his office told Axios.

No other Republicans have formally announced campaigns for the job.
Punchbowl News first reported Obernolte's candidacy.

What's next: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt will appoint someone to serve the remainder of Mullin's term, which runs through January 2027.

Under state law, the appointee must sign an affidavit pledging not to run for the seat in the subsequent election.
Several Oklahoma lawmakers are eyeing a bid.
Stitt has promised House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) he won't appoint a sitting House member, a move that would further squeeze Republicans' razor-thin majority.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that Hern has officially announced his Senate candidacy.

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Hern Senate bid sparks House GOP leadership scramble

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