The compounding effect of good policy

The combination of good government policies, over time, has a compounding effect that reaps growing benefit for a state. The same is true of bad government policies.

Oklahoma’s loss of major company headquarters in recent months is tied to the latter and shows why lawmakers must not retreat from undoing the harmful policy legacy of Oklahoma’s first 100 years.

When officials with Devon Energy and Coterra Energy announced the two companies are merging, they also announced the combined company will be headquartered in Houston, Texas, not Oklahoma City.

Shortly after, Expand Energy—formerly known as Chesapeake Energy—announced a similar headquarters relocation.

Joining fellow Republican candidates Corporation Commissioner Kim David and State Rep. Mark Tedford in running for the U.S. House seat being vacated by Kevin Hern is Navy veteran Jackson Stallings:

Jackson Stallings Announces Campaign for Oklahoma’s First Congressional District

Tulsa, OK — Navy veteran and America First Republican Jackson Stallings announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives in Oklahoma’s First Congressional District. Jackson pledges to fight for President Trump’s America First agenda, defend Christian values, and deliver results for Oklahoma families.

Republican Congressman Kevin Hern (OK-01) is running for the Senate seat currently held by Markwayne Mullin, whom President Trump has nominated to head up the Department of Homeland Security. 

In the past few days, first Congressman Josh Brecheen (OK-02) and then President Donald Trump himself have endorsed Hern's Senate bid. Add to this the fact that Hern is starting his Senate run with over $7,000,000 in cash on hand (with ~$5M in personal loans), and he has what likely amounts to an insurmountable jumpstart. At this point, will any legitimate, viable candidate even challenge Hern?

Rep. Josh Brecheen Endorses Hern for Senate

TULSA, OK (March 12, 2026) – Today, Congressman Josh Brecheen (OK-02) announced he’s backing Kevin Hern for U.S. Senate. Brecheen is the first member of the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation to endorse Hern.

Tulsa Congressman Kevin Hern officially launched his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Senator Markwayne Mullin, who President Trump is nominating to head up the Department of Homeland Security.

Hern will start the campaign with an astronomical financial lead over pretty much anyone else who might jump into the race. Dominos are now falling that will throw the Oklahoma election into pure chaos. Already, candidates are lining up to run for the 1st Congressional District seat that Hern will be leaving, and some of those candidates will be leaving legislative or local offices open.

TULSA, OK – Congressman Kevin Hern today announced his campaign to represent Oklahoma in the United States Senate. Hern is seeking the full-term seat that is being left vacant due to the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin by President Trump to serve as DHS Secretary.

Hern starts his campaign in a strong financial position with over $7 million on hand, demonstrating early strength in his race for U.S. Senate. A successful business owner and conservative leader, Hern has served Oklahoma’s First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2018 and currently serves in House GOP leadership as Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee. Hern is a leading voice in support of President Trump’s policy agenda, helping drive conservative legislative wins in Congress.

“President Trump’s America First Agenda and our nation are under attack by the Radical Left and RINO Republicans”, said Hern. “Now more than ever, Oklahomans need to know they have a strong conservative leader in Washington who will stand up for their values and support our great President. I will continue fighting for secure borders, lowering the cost of living for families, supporting our law enforcement and military, and putting Oklahomans first. That’s why I’m running for United States Senate.”

The Hern campaign also announced today that Hern’s longtime pollster Tony Fabrizio will serve as Senior Advisor to the campaign. Fabrizio is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading GOP pollsters and strategists. Most notably, Fabrizio has served as the leading pollster for President Donald Trump’s 2016 and 2024 campaigns.

“Kevin Hern is in a strong position to be Oklahoma’s next U.S. Senator,” said Fabrizio. “His record of support for President Trump’s agenda, the trust he has built with Oklahoma voters, and his experience in public service and in business have prepared him for this key role. During this important time for our nation, President Trump and Oklahomans need an ally in the U.S. Senate. That is why I am eager to support Kevin Hern in this race."

Watch Kevin’s Video Launch Here:

Multiple Pro-Trump, conservative U.S. Senators voiced their support early on for Hern to enter the race:

Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN): “Kevin Hern is a strong, pro-Trump conservative who will make a great US Senator.”

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN): “Kevin Hern is a good friend, strong conservative and business leader who will be a great US Senator. Kevin will be an ally on the Trump agenda.”

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI): “With Sen. Mullin taking on the challenge of DHS, Oklahoma is fortunate to have Kevin Hern, a proven conservative, available to take his place in the U.S. Senate.”

Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL): “Kevin Hern is a strong conservative leader who has consistently fought for President Trump’s America-First agenda. Kevin would be a great addition to the Senate and has my support should he decide to run.” 

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (March 3, 2026) –  Amid a surge in outside spending nationwide ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, the Oklahoma legislature has passed a resolution (House Concurrent Resolution 1006) urging Congress to propose a constitutional amendment restoring the authority of Congress and the states to regulate election spending. Oklahoma is the 24th state to take this step.

Earlier this month, the Oklahoma Senate approved the measure unanimously, following unanimous approval in the Oklahoma House of Representatives last year—sending a strong, bipartisan signal that lawmakers want election decisions returned to the states and their elected representatives.

Assuming Mullin's almost-certain confirmation, that will necessitate an interim appointment by Gov. Kevin Stitt to fill out the remainder of Mullin's Senate term (through January 2027). By Oklahoma statute, a temporary appointee pledges to not run for the full-term position. Thus, the appointee will be a lame-duck placeholder, while a fresh slate of candidates will compete for the full 6-year Senate term in the November 2026 election.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — US Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement of support for President Trump’s nomination of Johnny Teehee III to serve as United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

Medicaid expansion follies show need for initiative-petition reform

In 2020, Medicaid expansion was approved by the narrowest of margins through a ballot measure placed before voters via the initiative-petition process. The proposal added hundreds of thousands of able-bodied adults to the welfare program and put taxpayers on the hook for paying the medical bills of numerous adults who were capable of gainful employment but not pursuing it.

The measure was strongly rejected by election-day voters and majorities in roughly 90 percent of counties. It passed only because of absentee votes. Yet today, Oklahoma faces a reported Medicaid shortfall of roughly a half-billion dollars that is due largely to the expansion. Every dollar going to expansion takes money away from schools, roads, public safety, or tax relief for working families.

The debacle of Medicaid expansion shows why initiative-petition reform is needed. Unfortunately, it has been relatively easy for out-of-state special interests to pour money into Oklahoma to promote badly designed and counterproductive measures that create serious long-term challenges for our state.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ryan Eaves, R-Atoka, passed a bill this week that would give counties the option to impose a local public service impact tax on retail marijuana sales.

House Bill 3314 would authorize counties to impose up to a 15% public service impact tax on retail marijuana sales within county limits. The bill does not automatically create a tax. If a county chooses to pursue one, it must first be approved by a majority of county voters at a special election. The bill also exempts marijuana grown on private property by individuals that is not sold.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Shaw, R-Chandler, secured committee passage of a bill that would add criminal penalties to Oklahoma’s existing prohibitions on hostile foreign ownership of land.

While state law already restricts certain foreign ownership of property, Shaw said current statutes lack meaningful criminal enforcement mechanisms. House Bill 1453 would close that gap by making violations a felony offense.

HB1453 would prohibit foreign governments, entities and businesses linked to countries subject to U.S. arms regulations, as well as entities of particular concern designated by the U.S. Department of State, from acquiring real property or agricultural land in Oklahoma.