Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said he has no intention of running for U.S. Senate after President Trump appointed Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary.
Stitt plans to finish his term as governor and appoint someone to fill the upcoming vacancy.
🚨Just in: Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has announced that he won’t run for the U.S. Senate in 2026 to replace Senator Markwayne Mullin pic.twitter.com/gyR5bz0AIR
— The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) March 13, 2026
News on 6 shared further:
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt confirmed in an exclusive interview with Oklahoma’s Own Karl Torp, that he will not run for the U.S. Senate, ending speculation about whether he would pursue the seat that will soon be vacant.
“That’s very flattering,” Stitt said when asked about a possible Senate run. “But no, I’m not going to run. I was elected to be governor. I love being governor, and I’m going to finish my term.”
ADVERTISEMENTStitt said he believes elected officials should complete the terms they were chosen to serve.
“You’re elected to serve these jobs, and it’s important that you complete that,” he said. “I love serving the people of Oklahoma, and I’m going to stay right here and finish my term.”
The governor recently returned from Washington, D.C., where he met with President Donald Trump and Senate leadership.
Stitt said the visit had several purposes, including discussing the upcoming Senate appointment and strengthening Oklahoma’s relationship with the White House.
“I stepped out of the private sector to give back to my home state of Oklahoma and unlock our incredible potential. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve the state I love as Governor and lead a truly historic turnaround. My focus remains right here in Oklahoma, serving out my term and finishing the job Oklahomans elected me to do,” Stitt said, according to KTUL.
According to prior reports, Stitt is considering five candidates to temporarily fill Mullin’s seat until his term ends.
The candidates include:
- Nathan Dahm
- David Ostrowe
- John O’Connor
- Dustin Hilliary
- Harold Hamm
Oklahoma Governor Reportedly Considering Five Candidates To Replace Sen. Markwayne Mullin
Should Mullin be confirmed, Stitt will appoint someone to finish his term, which ends in January 2027.
Stitt must appoint a replacement within 30 days after Mullin formally vacates his seat.
According to state law, the individual appointed to temporarily fill the seat must sign an affidavit vowing not to run for a full term.
Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK) announced on Wednesday that he will run for a full term.
POLITICO noted:
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signaled Thursday that he would not select a successor to serve out the remainder of Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s (R-Okla.) term until Mullin is confirmed as Homeland Security secretary.
“President Trump has made a great selection in Markwayne Mullin to join his cabinet, and I am committed to making a swift decision on his replacement once Mullin is confirmed by the Senate,” the Republican governor said in a post on X.
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