{"id":2578351,"date":"2026-03-10T19:29:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T23:29:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kevin-hern-to-meet-with-senate-gop-campaign-chief-ahead-of-likely-run\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T19:31:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T23:31:08","slug":"kevin-hern-to-meet-with-senate-gop-campaign-chief-ahead-of-likely-run","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kevin-hern-to-meet-with-senate-gop-campaign-chief-ahead-of-likely-run\/","title":{"rendered":"Kevin Hern to meet with Senate GOP campaign chief ahead of likely run"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fkevin-hern-to-meet-with-senate-gop-campaign-chief-ahead-of-likely-run%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2578351&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern is positioning for a U.S. Senate run and is laying the groundwork by courting GOP support and planning a public announcement.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Hern, a Tulsa-area Republican in House GOP leadership since 2018, is <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >actively calling senators<\/a> to gather backing and is expected to announce his plans soon. He will meet with Sen. Tim Scott, head of the national Republican Senatorial Committee, next week as part of this effort.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; The move comes as Mullin prepares to leave the Senate to become the secretary of Homeland security, creating an open seat. gov. Kevin Stitt can appoint a temporary replacement who must sign an affidavit agreeing to be a caretaker and not run for the seat.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Another Oklahoma Republican, Rep. Stephanie Bice, has also expressed interest in the seat, perhaps setting up a competitive race. Bice is viewed as more pragmatic, while Hern has pursued conservative endorsements.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Hern has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dem-budget-includes-green-card-giveaway-mass-amnesty\/\" title=\"Dem Budget Includes Green Card Giveaway, Mass Amnesty\">earned support<\/a> from several lawmakers, including Sens.Jim Banks, Bill Hagerty, and Ron Johnson, as well as Reps. Brandon Gill and Troy nehls.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Senate leadership has remained neutral so far; Senate Minority Leader John Thune said they would welcome whoever Oklahoma chooses. Hern is aiming for a full six-year term in November if elected. The report is labeled exclusive, with Rachel Schilke contributing.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Kevin Hern to meet with GOP campaign chief on Oklahoma Senate run<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2528557\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>EXCLUSIVE &mdash; <\/strong>Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK) will meet with Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tim-scott\/\">Tim Scott<\/a> (R-SC), head of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nrsc\/\">National Republican Senatorial Committee<\/a>, next week as he lays the groundwork for a Senate run in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/oklahoma\/\">Oklahoma<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Hern, a member of House GOP leadership who has represented the Tulsa area in Congress since 2018, has been calling senators to gather support for a campaign and is poised to make an announcement on Tuesday afternoon, according to a source familiar with his plans.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4487330\/gavin-newsom-blames-trump-california-higher-gas-prices-despite-state-policies\/\">Newsom blames Trump for California&#8217;s higher gas prices, despite state policies<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4486890\/house-gop-affordability-election-message-trump-iran-save-america-act\/\">Republicans game out 2026 messaging plan as Trump focuses on Iran and SAVE America Act<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4486529\/california-democrat-pressure-campaign-narrow-governor-race\/\">California Democrats craft pressure campaign to narrow governor&#8217;s race field<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>His meeting with Scott, confirmed by a spokesman for the NRSC, is typical for candidates looking to get their campaigns off the ground. It comes as Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/markwayne-mullin\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"21441\">Markwayne Mullin<\/a> (R-OK) prepares to leave the Senate after being nominated to replace Kristi Noem as the secretary of Homeland Security.<\/p>\n<p>Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK) has also <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4482170\/stephanie-bice-hern-eye-senate-seat-mullin-dhs\/\">expressed interest in his seat<\/a>, potentially setting the stage for a competitive race. Bice, a board member of the Republican Main Street Caucus, is considered the more pragmatic of the two, while Hern has sought to lock down the endorsements of conservatives.<\/p>\n<p>He has support from Sens. Jim Banks (R-IN), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Ron Johnson (R-WI). In the House, Reps. Brandon Gill (R-TX) and Troy Nehls (R-TX) have preemptively endorsed his campaign.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s a conservative, he&rsquo;s pro-Trump, and has a lot of support in those circles,&rdquo; said Banks, who chaired the conservative Republican Study Committee before Hern.<\/p>\n<p>Senate GOP leadership, for its part, has so far stayed neutral in the race, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) called both Hern and Bice &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-question-on-everyones-mind-after-debate-who-is-running-the-country\/\" title=\"The Question on Everyone\u2019s Mind After Debate: Who Is ...ning the Country?\">fine people&#038;rdquo<\/a>; on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re going to have to fill that seat for Markwayne here by the end of the month, in the near term, and then the long-term issue will be decided by the voters of Oklahoma,&rdquo; Thune said. &ldquo;So whoever they decide to send us, we&rsquo;ll be happy to receive.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4482850\/kristi-noem-baggage-markwayne-mullin-confirmation-fight\/\"><strong>KRISTI NOEM BAGGAGE BLEEDS INTO MARKWAYNE MULLIN CONFIRMATION FIGHT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Kevin Stitt, the Republican governor of Oklahoma, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4482276\/what-happens-to-markwayne-mullin-senate-seat-dhs\/\">can appoint a replacement<\/a> for Mullin to serve for the remainder of the year, but state law requires that person to sign an affidavit stating they will be a caretaker and not run for the seat.<\/p>\n<p>Hern will be vying for a full, six-year term in November.<\/p>\n<p><em>Rachel Schilke contributed to this report.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hern to meet NRSC head on Oklahoma Senate bid<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2651,"featured_media":2578352,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP23297814379797-e1773184076902.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[4087,6571,75502,75503,55575],"class_list":["post-2578351","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-campaign","tag-elections","tag-kevinhern","tag-oklahomapolitics","tag-senategop"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP23297814379797-e1773184076902.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2578351","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2651"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2578351"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2578351\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2578355,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2578351\/revisions\/2578355"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2578352"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2578351"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2578351"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2578351"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}