Oklahoma Governor Taps Little-Known Oil Exec to Fill Senate Seat

Alan Armstrong, who donated to Trump critic, expected to temporarily replace Sen. Markwayne Mullin

Mar. 22, 2026 at 8:49pm

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Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is reportedly set to temporarily fill the anticipated vacancy of Sen. Markwayne Mullin's seat with Alan Armstrong, a virtually unknown oil and gas executive who once donated significant money to an anti-Trump congressman. Armstrong, the executive chairman of the board at Williams, an oil and gas company, has a limited online presence and is expected to serve until the end of Mullin's term in January 2027.

Why it matters

The reported appointment of Armstrong, who donated to Trump critic Rep. Adam Kinzinger, highlights the strained relationship between Stitt and former President Donald Trump. It also raises questions about the governor's political motivations in selecting a relatively unknown figure to temporarily fill the Senate seat.

The details

According to reports, Stitt has selected Armstrong, an oil and gas executive based in Tulsa, to temporarily replace Mullin, who the president has nominated to lead the Department of Homeland Security. Armstrong made two donations totaling $5,800 to Kinzinger, a prominent Trump detractor, in 2021 after the congressman voted to impeach the former president over the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

  • In March 2021, Armstrong donated $5,800 to Rep. Adam Kinzinger.
  • Stitt is expected to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday to discuss the appointment.

The players

Kevin Stitt

The Republican governor of Oklahoma who is reportedly set to appoint Alan Armstrong to temporarily fill the Senate seat.

Alan Armstrong

A virtually unknown oil and gas executive based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who is expected to be appointed by Stitt to temporarily fill the Senate seat.

Markwayne Mullin

The junior Republican senator from Oklahoma whom Trump has nominated to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

Adam Kinzinger

A former Republican congressman from Illinois who voted to impeach Trump and has emerged as a prominent critic of the former president.

Donald Trump

The former president who has a strained relationship with Oklahoma Gov. Stitt and is expected to meet with him to discuss the Senate appointment.

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What they’re saying

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