| Hern, Shannon, Holland, Mullin, Pinnell, & Wesselhoft are confirmed or speculative names in the rush to fill an unexpired term in the U.S. Senate. On Thursday, James Inhofe announced the end of his service in elective office. He's currently the 'godfather' of the Oklahoma delegation in the nation's capitol. He said he intends to spend more time with his family. By Friday, he'd already announced his endorsement of his own chief-of-staff, Luke Holland. If you're asking; "Who is Luke Holland?", you're certainly not alone. Holland has been a staffer for Inhofe for about a dozen years, and is probably more familiar to those inside the DC beltway, than to those in Oklahoma. Holland was a student at the University of Arkansas when Inhofe's daughter introduced him to her father. He's a bachelor from Bartlesville, now residing in Tulsa. |  Hern, Shannon, Holland, Mullin, Pinnell, & Wesselhoft are confirmed or speculative names in the rush to fill an unexpired term in the U.S. Senate. |
This may be just one of over a dozen statewide elections topping the 2022 election cycle, but it's clearly seen as a top prize, along with the other US Senate seat, and the gubernatorial new term. What it's effectively doing to the pecking order; cannot be dismissed.
All 5 congressional members would love to be in the US senate. Some of them will admit that truth.
Along with Holland, Congressman Markwayne Mullin is also an announced candidate. Folks have expected this inevitability for years. Mullin, who wants to be recognized as a plumber; is also a veteran of some unnamed role in international security or intelligence services. He rarely hints of this part of his resume'; but his actions to secure the House chamber on January 6th, 2021; revealed his instinctive training, which kicked in when capitol security screwed up.
Mullin, a Cherokee from eastern Oklahoma; built a plumbing, Heating, and electrical services empire. He ran for congress in 2012, surviving a tough runoff with Rep. George Faught. He broke his term limits pledge in 2018, to gain a 4th term in the US House.
Along with Holland, Congressman Markwayne Mullin is also an announced candidate. Folks have expected this inevitability for years. Mullin, who wants to be recognized as a plumber; is also a veteran of some unnamed role in international security or intelligence services. He rarely hints of this part of his resume'; but his actions to secure the House chamber on January 6th, 2021; revealed his instinctive training, which kicked in when capitol security screwed up.
Mullin, a Cherokee from eastern Oklahoma; built a plumbing, Heating, and electrical services empire. He ran for congress in 2012, surviving a tough runoff with Rep. George Faught. He broke his term limits pledge in 2018, to gain a 4th term in the US House.
On Friday afternoon, TW Shannon issued a statement of his own consideration of the open US Senate seat. Shannon, a Chickasaw & Freedman from Lawton, served on Tom Cole's staff before his election to the Oklahoma legislature. Shannon rose quickly to become the Speaker of the House, before resigning that post and seeking office(unsuccessfully) in the US Senate when Tom Coburn resigned early, in 2014.
Since then, Shannon has been involved in the banking industry and serving in appointed state agencies. He's also been a familiar face in national media, including at Newsmax morning programming.
Since then, Shannon has been involved in the banking industry and serving in appointed state agencies. He's also been a familiar face in national media, including at Newsmax morning programming.
Of the rest of the Oklahoma delegation, only Kevin Hern is garnering significant speculation. The Tulsan has been seeking a 3rd term in the US House. Hern is a businessman in the restaurant and insurance industries. He's been tapped for a leadership role among House Republicans, to devise a balanced budget roadmap, when the Republicans make their pitch to take over majority in the November 2022 electoral aftermath.
Tom Cole and Frank Lucas have ranking seniority in House committees and will likely stay put in 2022. Stephanie Bice is in her freshman term and isn't expected to trade that incumbency for a low-odds bid for the US Senate, this year.
Tom Cole and Frank Lucas have ranking seniority in House committees and will likely stay put in 2022. Stephanie Bice is in her freshman term and isn't expected to trade that incumbency for a low-odds bid for the US Senate, this year.
Another former Inhofe aid, Matt Pinnell; has been rumored to be a possible candidate. He's been an effective OKGOP state chairman, an assistant to Reince Priebus at the RNC, and now serves as Oklahoma's Lt. Governor. His marketing and public relations skills are evident in his rebranding project for Oklahoma state agencies, as well as his leadership at the Oklahoma Dept. of Tourism.
Of those no longer in elective office, Jim Bridenstine is the biggest name being speculated. He's also the former administrator of NASA, and now runs an aerospace consulting and advocacy firm.
Paul Wesselhoft, a leader in the Pottawatomie Tribe and former Committee chair in the Oklahoma House, has publicly expressed his consideration of the open US Senate seat.
Paul Wesselhoft, a leader in the Pottawatomie Tribe and former Committee chair in the Oklahoma House, has publicly expressed his consideration of the open US Senate seat.
The Other U.S. Senate Race..
Senator James Lankford has a regularly-scheduled election for a new term in the US Senate. He has 2 announced Republican challengers; Nathan Dahm, and Jackson Lahmeyer. That election is completely separate from this, and a candidate must declare for one specific office or another.
