WHAT HAPPENED: Former Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) was sworn in Tuesday as Homeland Security secretary, succeeding Kristi Noem. Alan Armstrong, an oil executive, was also sworn in as a temporary senator appointed by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt. The final vote Monday night was 54-45. All Republicans voted for Mullin with the exception of Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY). Sens. John Fetterman (D-PA) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) were the only Democrats breaking with their party to support Mullin.
WHY IT MATTERS: The secretary leads the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is responsible for guarding the nation against terrorism, cyberattacks, and other threats — both foreign and domestic. Alan Armstrong, an oil executive, was sworn in as a temporary senator appointed by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt.
WHO IS ALAN ARMSTRONNG? Armstrong, 63, was the Executive Chairman of Williams Companies, a natural gas company based out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Williams handles roughly a third of the natural gas consumed in the U.S. through its pipeline infrastructure, according to the company. Prior to stepping into his current role at the company last July, Armstrong served as the CEO of Williams for nearly 15 years.
WHAT’S NEXT? Under Oklahoma law, Armstrong cannot run for the seat. The Oklahoma primary election will take place on June 16, and candidates must officially file to run during a three-day period from April 1-3. Republican Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma has emerged as the leading candidate in the race. Hern represents Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District, which is centered in the northeastern part of the state and anchored by the Tulsa metropolitan area.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “I grew up on an Air Force base, worked my way through school, built businesses, and served Oklahoma in Congress. Now I’m ready to fight for Oklahoma in the Senate,” Hern wrote in a post on X when announcing his campaign.
NCC’s TAKE: As the 13th largest broiler producing state in the country, NCC looks forward to working with the next junior senator from Oklahoma, whomever voters choose on November 3.
Alan Armstrong at the State Capitol on Tuesday. Source: AP
