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R Republican · U.S. Senate, Oklahoma · Nov 3, 2026

Kevin
Hern

Republican U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma is the GOP nominee for the state's open U.S. Senate seat in 2026.

Researched checked 7 d ago
sources
22
positions
12
endorsements
7
hernforsenate.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Facebook(opens in a new tab)
Opponents Curtis Stinnett I+ 2 more Compare race →

Background

Kevin Hern is a Republican U.S. Representative for Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District, first entering Congress in 2018. He was born in Belton, Missouri, graduated from Dover High School in Arkansas (1980), earned a B.S. from Arkansas Tech University (1986), and an M.B.A. from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (1999). 12/)

Before entering politics, Hern worked as an aerospace engineer at Rockwell International, later transitioning to computer programming and other business ventures. He went on to own and operate 24 McDonald's restaurants, and was also involved in banking, manufacturing, real estate, technology, and sports publishing. He and his wife reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 12/)

In March 2026, Hern announced his candidacy for Oklahoma's open U.S. Senate seat, which became available after Markwayne Mullin left the Senate and Alan Armstrong was appointed to serve temporarily. Hern won the Republican primary in June 2026 and is the GOP nominee for the seat in the November 2026 general election. 61315

Hern is not the incumbent senator; he continues to serve as a U.S. Representative in the 119th Congress (2025–2027) while campaigning for the Senate seat. 2/)13

At a glance

Party
Republican
Running for
U.S. Senate, Oklahoma
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
U.S. Representative for Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District
Website
hernforsenate.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Voting record

How Kevin Hern voted in Congress: 118th Congress (2023–24) and 119th Congress (2025–26), Jan 3, 2023 to Sep 16, 2026. From the official House and Senate roll call records.

roll call votes
1,909
missed
1.3%
with their party’s majority
94%

Recent key votes

  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · S2403 · Economy & jobs
    Retire through Ownership Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9497 · Climate & energy
    Water Resources Development Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9340 · Climate & energy
    Ratepayer Protection Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HJRES213 · Climate & energy
    Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision”
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR10326 · Crime & public safety
    PROOF Act
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9576 · Crime & public safety
    National Fraud Enforcement Division Act
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 15, 2026 · House · HJRES210 · Climate & energy
    Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision”
    On Passage · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Sep 15, 2026 · House · HR9500 · Taxes & budget
    Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes

Key votes are final decisions on bills and joint resolutions, and top nominations. Software sorts each into an issue from its official title, so check the roll call. All 1,909 votes →

Timeline

  1. Oct 2
    news
    News 9 candidate guide details Hern's campaign priorities and ballot information

    News 9 published a candidate guide describing Hern's campaign priorities as including tax policy, border security, veterans, abortion, Second Amendment rights, school choice, term limits, and a balanced-budget amendment. Key dates listed: Oct. 9 voter registration deadline, Oct. 19 absentee ballot request deadline, Nov. 3 Election Day.

    Hern vs. Thomas: Who should I vote for in Oklahoma’s U.S ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 1
    endorsement
    Trump endorses and campaigns for Hern at Durant, Oklahoma rally

    President Donald Trump urged voters at a rally in Durant, Oklahoma to support Kevin Hern, providing a prominent public show of support in the final weeks before the November 3 election. Trump also campaigned for other Republicans at the event.

    Trump campaigns for Mazzei, Hern at delayed but roaring Oklahoma rally: Recap · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Sep 24
    news
    Oklahoma lawmakers at odds over when Senate seat can be transferred to election winner

    Following Hern's challenge, reporting noted continued disagreement between Hern's camp and Armstrong's position. The attorney general's office was reviewing the request for an opinion; no opinion had been issued as of early October.

    Oklahoma lawmakers at odds on when senate seat can be ... · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Sep 23
    controversy
    Hern challenges effort to keep appointed Sen. Armstrong in seat until January

    Hern's campaign argued that, if he wins the November election, he should be eligible to take the Senate seat after state certification rather than waiting until January. Appointed Sen. Alan Armstrong's position was that his appointment runs through January. Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton requested an attorney general opinion on the matter.

    Armstrong, Hern clash over Oklahoma U.S. Senate transition · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 13
    news
    Substack analysis frames Oklahoma Senate race as Hern vs. Thomas policy contrast

    A published commentary characterized the race as a contrast between Hern's and Thomas's policy platforms, highlighting campaign priorities including tax policy, border security, and other issues.

    Kevin Hern vs. Jasmine Thomas: Corporate Socialism vs ... · Sep 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Aug 6
    poll
    CHS & Associates poll shows Hern leading Thomas 49%-25% among Oklahoma registered voters

    A CHS & Associates poll with fieldwork ending August 6 among 500 registered voters showed Hern with a 24-point lead over Thomas (49% to 25%). This remained the lone public poll cited by race trackers as of early October.

    Oklahoma Senate race 2026 odds: Thomas vs. Hern - Parlay · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Jun 16
    news
    Kevin Hern wins Republican Senate primary in Oklahoma

    Hern won the Republican primary, advancing to the November 3 special general election against Democrat N'Kiyla 'Jasmine' Thomas, Libertarian Sevier White, and independents Curtis Stinnett and Ron Meinhardt.

    Hern vs. Thomas: Who should I vote for in Oklahoma’s U.S ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Mar 20
    endorsement
    Senate Majority Leader Thune and NRSC Chair Tim Scott endorse Kevin Hern

    Fox News reported that Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Sen. Tim Scott, then chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, publicly endorsed Hern for Oklahoma's U.S. Senate seat.

    Senate - Page 126 | Fox News · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Senate Conservatives Fund organization
    Listed Hern as its endorsed Republican candidate for Oklahoma on its 2026 endorsements page; no specific endorsement date provided. senateconservatives.com
  • NRA Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) organization
    NRA-PVF announced its endorsement of Hern for Senate. x.com · Sep 22, 2026
  • Make Oklahoma Healthy Again PAC organization
    The PAC said it 'wholeheartedly endorses Kevin Hern for U.S. Senate'; Hern acknowledged the endorsement in a Facebook post in early May 2026. No specific endorsement date given. facebook.com · May 1, 2026
  • Tim Scott, U.S. Senator and NRSC Chairman official
    Endorsed Hern in the same joint statement with John Thune via the NRSC. nrsc.org · Mar 19, 2026
  • John Thune, Senate Majority Leader official
    Announced endorsement in a joint statement with Tim Scott via the NRSC. nrsc.org · Mar 19, 2026
  • Club for Growth PAC organization
    Club for Growth PAC announced its endorsement of Hern in Oklahoma's Senate race. clubforgrowth.org · Mar 13, 2026
  • Donald Trump, President of the United States official
    Trump endorsed Hern shortly after Hern announced his campaign in March 2026. Trump publicly reaffirmed his support at an Oklahoma rally on October 1, 2026. nbcnews.com · Mar 1, 2026

Past elections

General election results for federal office, from the Federal Election Commission.

YearSeatResultVotesShare
2022U.S. House OK-01 · RWon142,80061.2%
2020U.S. House OK-01 · RWon213,70063.7%
2018U.S. House OK-01 · RWon150,12959.3%

Covers the 2016 to 2022 general elections. The FEC has not yet published 2024 congressional results.

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$9.95M
Spent
$7.46M
Cash on hand
$2.49M

As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S6OK04247(opens in a new tab)

Sources 22

  1. [1] Senate - Page 126 | Fox News(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
  2. [2] Oklahoma Senate race 2026 odds: Thomas vs. Hern - Parlay(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  3. [3] Senate Conservatives Fund(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
  4. [4] Hern vs. Thomas: Who should I vote for in Oklahoma’s U.S ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
  5. [5] Trump campaigns for Mazzei, Hern at delayed but roaring Oklahoma rally: Recap(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
  6. [6] Oklahoma lawmakers at odds on when senate seat can be ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
  7. [7] Armstrong, Hern clash over Oklahoma U.S. Senate transition(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
  8. [8] NRA(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
  9. [9] Kevin Hern vs. Jasmine Thomas: Corporate Socialism vs ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 13, 2026
  10. [10] Rep. Kevin Hern wins GOP Senate primary in Oklahoma - NBC News(opens in a new tab) Jun 17, 2026
  11. [11] Hern Votes to Fund ICE and CBP | U.S. Representative Kevin Hern(opens in a new tab) Jun 9, 2026
  12. [12] News(opens in a new tab) May 28, 2026
  13. [13] Kevin Hern - Facebook(opens in a new tab) May 6, 2026
  14. [14] Promises Kept(opens in a new tab) Mar 24, 2026
  15. [15] Leader John Thune and NRSC Chairman Tim Scott ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 19, 2026
  16. [16] Club for Growth PAC Endorses Rep. Kevin Hern in OK- ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 13, 2026
  17. [17] Restoring American energy independence(opens in a new tab) Jan 19, 2026
  18. [18] Hern Votes to Increase Healthcare Options, Lower Costs(opens in a new tab) Dec 17, 2025
  19. [19] Rep. Hern, Sen. Cruz Introduce School Choice Legislation ...(opens in a new tab) Feb 5, 2025
  20. [20] The Important Issue That No One's Talking About - Kevin Hern(opens in a new tab) Sep 19, 2024
  21. [21] Pro-Life Legislation Passes the House | U.S. Representative ...(opens in a new tab) Jan 11, 2023
  22. [22] Hern leads bipartisan letter to Commerce Secretary Raimondo on ...(opens in a new tab) Dec 21, 2021
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