Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) clinched the Republican Senate primary in Oklahoma on Tuesday, according to projections from Decision Desk HQ, positioning him as the heavy favorite to succeed former Sen. Markwayne Mullin in the 2026 general election.
Hern entered the race in March, shortly after Mullin vacated his seat to serve as Homeland Security Secretary in President Trump's Cabinet. The move effectively cleared the primary field, as Hern quickly secured endorsements from Trump, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, NRSC Chair Tim Scott, and Sen. James Lankford.
Governor Stitt had appointed oil executive Alan Armstrong to fill Mullin's seat temporarily, but state law barred Armstrong from seeking a full term in 2026, leaving Hern as the establishment's consensus pick.
Hern, a wealthy businessman who once owned 18 McDonald's franchises in the Tulsa area, was first elected to the House in 2018. He served as chair of the House Republican Policy Committee and the Republican Study Committee, building a conservative record that he touted as "America First." His campaign emphasized his upbringing on an Air Force base, his path through school, and his success as an entrepreneur.
"I grew up on an Air Force base, worked my way through school, built businesses, and served Oklahoma in Congress," Hern said in a March announcement video. "Now I'm ready to fight for Oklahoma in the Senate."
Despite Hern's frontrunner status, a June poll of likely voters showed him leading with 41 percent support, followed by country music singer Gary "Ty" England at 8 percent. Notably, 44 percent of respondents were undecided, suggesting lingering uncertainty among the electorate even as Hern consolidated institutional backing.
The primary outcome aligns with broader trends in Oklahoma Republican politics, where Trump-backed candidates have dominated recent cycles. Hern's victory also underscores the party's focus on loyalty to the former president, a dynamic that has shaped races from the Senate to the governor's mansion. Earlier this year, Trump endorsed Hern as part of a slate of candidates across the state, including in the competitive GOP governor primary.
Hern now faces the general election, where Oklahoma's deep-red lean makes him the overwhelming favorite. His campaign is expected to focus on economic policy, border security, and his relationship with Trump, themes that resonated in the primary. The race also highlights the shifting landscape of Oklahoma politics, as the state continues to align closely with the national GOP's rightward trajectory.
For more on the broader primary night, including results from Georgia and Alabama, check out our live coverage from DDHQ data analysts tracking the races across multiple states.
