Ron
Meinhardt
Ron Meinhardt is an Independent challenger in the 2026 Oklahoma U.S. Senate race, with a background in nursing, media, and small-business administration.
- sources
- 6
- positions
- 9
- endorsements
- 0
Background
Ron Meinhardt is an Independent candidate in the November 3, 2026 Oklahoma U.S. Senate election, challenging for the seat as a non-incumbent 3. He is from Nowata, Oklahoma, and his background spans healthcare, media production, and small-business administration 2.
Meinhardt holds a BSN from Columbia Union College (2005) and an MPA in Law and Public Policy from Liberty University (2026) 2. He has worked as a registered nurse, executive producer at Entering Wedge Media (2019–present), and manager of finance and administration at Rota-Tech, Inc. (2023–present) 2.
He has no prior legislative office and describes himself on his campaign site as an Oklahoma Republican running as an Independent 36. He has not been identified as having held any elected position before this race 2.
At a glance
- Party
- Independent
- Running for
- U.S. Senate, Oklahoma
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- running4ok.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11newsMeinhardt candidate profile highlights platform on constitutional accountability, healthcare, border security, and Inola smelter opposition
A Smarter.Vote candidate profile updated October 11 describes Meinhardt's platform as emphasizing constitutional accountability, healthcare, border security, and cost of living. It also notes his opposition to the proposed Inola aluminum smelter, framing his objection around local consent and citing a campaign post titled 'Why I DO NOT support the Inola Smelter.'
Ron Meinhardt — 2026 Oklahoma U.S. Senate Election | Smarter.Vote · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2newsNews 9 reports Meinhardt is on Oklahoma's November 3 U.S. Senate ballot as an independent
News 9 listed Meinhardt as one of five candidates on the November 3 Oklahoma U.S. Senate ballot. He is running as an independent while reportedly remaining a member of the Oklahoma Republican Party, placing him in opposition to the party's nominee, Kevin Hern.
Hern vs. Thomas: Who should I vote for in Oklahoma’s U.S ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 16newsMeinhardt posts on X calling himself a conservative Independent opposing Kevin Hern
In a post on X, Meinhardt described himself as 'a conservative Independent running against' Republican Kevin Hern. He stated he would push for 'full prosecution of Epstein's ilk,' would not accept lobbyist money, and opposed foreign involvement in an aluminum-smelter project. These are his own stated claims and were not independently verified.
Congressman Kevin Hern on X · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 6pollCHS & Associates poll shows Hern at 49%, Thomas at 25%; Meinhardt not included
A public poll of 500 registered Oklahoma voters conducted by CHS & Associates showed Republican Kevin Hern at 49% and Democrat N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas at 25%. Ron Meinhardt was not included in the reported figures.
Oklahoma Senate race 2026 odds: Thomas vs. Hern - Parlay · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 30filingMeinhardt campaign reports ~$8,713 raised, $8,551 spent, $162 cash on hand through Q2 2026
Fundraising figures reported in a Smarter.Vote profile cover the period through June 30, 2026. The campaign raised approximately $8,713, spent $8,551, and had $162 cash on hand. No subsequent fundraising data was available.
Ron Meinhardt — 2026 Oklahoma U.S. Senate Election | Smarter.Vote · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $8,713
- Spent
- $8,551
- Cash on hand
- $162
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S6OK04205(opens in a new tab)
Sources 6
- [1] Oklahoma Senate race 2026 odds: Thomas vs. Hern - Parlay(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [2] Hern vs. Thomas: Who should I vote for in Oklahoma’s U.S ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [3] Ron Meinhardt — 2026 Oklahoma U.S. Senate Election | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [4] US Senate Candidates - OK Voter Guide(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [5] Congressman Kevin Hern on X(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
- [6] Ron Meinhardt — official campaign website(opens in a new tab) Mar 31, 2026