Trump Taps Oklahoma Senator for DHS, Triggering Special Election

Governor to appoint interim senator as GOP scrambles to retain deep-red seat

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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President Donald Trump has nominated U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security, leaving an unexpected Senate vacancy in the deep-red state. Under a new Oklahoma law, Governor Kevin Stitt will appoint an interim senator to fill Mullin's seat until a special election is held in November. The appointment is seen as a temporary measure, as the law prohibits the interim senator from running in the upcoming election.

Why it matters

This sudden Senate vacancy in Oklahoma, a solidly Republican state, sets off a high-stakes political battle as the GOP works to retain control of the seat. The appointment and special election will be closely watched as a potential bellwether for national political trends ahead of the 2028 presidential race.

The details

Mullin was first elected to the Senate in 2022 to fill the unexpired term of the late Senator Jim Inhofe, who stepped down early. Under the new Oklahoma law, Governor Stitt will appoint an interim senator to serve until the November special election, but that person is barred from running in the election. Several prominent Republican figures, including U.S. Representatives Kevin Hern and Stephanie Bice, as well as former state House Speaker T.W. Shannon, are expected to vie for the GOP nomination.

  • President Trump nominated Senator Mullin for the DHS Secretary role on March 5, 2026.
  • The three-day filing period for the special election in Oklahoma begins on April 1, 2026.
  • The special election to fill the Senate vacancy will be held in November 2026.

The players

Markwayne Mullin

The current U.S. Senator from Oklahoma, nominated by President Trump to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security.

Kevin Stitt

The Governor of Oklahoma, who will appoint an interim senator to fill Mullin's seat until the special election.

Kevin Hern

A U.S. Representative from Oklahoma's 1st congressional district, expected to consider running for the open Senate seat.

Stephanie Bice

A U.S. Representative from Oklahoma's 5th congressional district, expected to consider running for the open Senate seat.

T.W. Shannon

A former Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, expected to consider running for the open Senate seat.

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What they’re saying

“We will look to appoint a strong, small government conservative voice to support President Trump.”

— Kevin Stitt, Governor of Oklahoma (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The three-day filing period for the special election in Oklahoma begins on April 1, 2026, setting off a scramble among Republican candidates to secure the nomination for the deep-red Senate seat.

The takeaway

This sudden Senate vacancy in Oklahoma highlights the high-stakes political battle ahead as the GOP works to retain control of the seat in a special election. The appointment and special election will be closely watched as a potential indicator of national political trends ahead of the 2028 presidential race.