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President Donald Trump is reportedly meeting with Gov. Kevin Stitt, R-Okla., at the White House to discuss candidates to replace Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who is nominated to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
If Mullin is confirmed as secretary and resigns from the U.S. Senate, Stitt has 30 days to appoint a replacement to serve out the remainder of the senator’s term through Jan. 3, 2027.
However, several anonymous sources familiar with the matter told Politico that the president was meeting with Stitt to vet potential replacements for Mullin.
Stitt is considering oil industrialist Harold Hamm or his own senior advisor Dustin Hillary, according to the report. He may also seek the open seat himself when it becomes vacant later this year—especially with his term as governor expiring in January 2027.
Regardless, Oklahoma law requires interim senators to serve as placeholders, meaning that they cannot launch their bid for the open Senate seat in the 2026 special election.
Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., already announced his bid for the open senate seat, assuming Mullin is successfully confirmed as DHS secretary. GOP Rep. Stephanie Bice is also reportedly mulling a run.
While the president has yet to make an official endorsement, prominent Republican leaders have already endorsed Hern, including Sens. Jim Banks, R-Ind., Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., Ron Johnson, R-Wis., and Rick Scott, R-Fla.
President Trump nominated Mullin to the DHS earlier this month to replace Secretary Kristi Noem, following her testimony before the U.S. Senate regarding a controversial $200 million DHS ad campaign prominently featuring Noem.
If Mullin’s nomination is approved by the U.S. Senate, a primary election for his open seat will take place on June 16, with a potential runoff scheduled for Aug. 25 if no candidate receives over 50 percent of the primary vote.
The general election will take place on Nov. 3, 2026. A very Republican-leaning state, the winner of Oklahoma’s primary will likely become the state’s next U.S. Senator.
