Kevin Hern Wins Republican Primary for Oklahoma Senate Seat
U.S. Representative Kevin Hern has secured the Republican primary for the vacant Senate seat in Oklahoma. This seat became available following the appointment of Markwayne Mullin as the new Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
According to reports, Hern, a Republican, received approximately 267,100 votes, which is around 70% of the total. He comfortably defeated various candidates, including musician Gary Ty England, who garnered about 13.5%, Sean Buckner with roughly 10%, firefighter-paramedic Brian Ragain with less than 6%, and Nick Hankins with under 4%.
Hern was born on an Air Force base in Missouri and started his career as an aerospace engineer at Rockwell International. However, following the Challenger disaster, he shifted to entrepreneurship. He explored several small business ventures to fund his dream of owning a franchise. Notably, in 1999, he sold his hog farm to acquire two McDonald’s restaurants in Muskogee. This eventually led him to own 24 locations in northeastern Oklahoma. Currently, he resides in Tulsa with his wife, Tammy, and their three children.
As a Congressman, Hern champions term limits for Congress members and has sponsored several initiatives aimed at supporting veterans. His voting record includes backing immigration enforcement funding, standing firm on Second Amendment rights, and endorsing pro-life legislation, including the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act and the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. He has also co-sponsored the SAVE America Act.
“Thank you, Oklahoma! Oklahomans deserve strong conservative leadership and a Senator who will fight for our values. I look forward to earning your support again in November and serving as your next United States Senator!” – Kevin Hern
Former President Trump backed Hern during the primary, praising him as a “Great Patriot, and FANTASTIC Congressman!”
“A true friend of MAGA, Kevin is now running for the United States Senate, where I know he will continue to perform exceptionally,” Trump stated. “Kevin is strongly supported by dedicated MAGA Warriors in Oklahoma and respected leaders in the Senate.”
On the Democratic side, a runoff election is set for August 25th, as no candidate received a majority of the votes. Nurse N’Kiyla “Jasmine” Thomas, a Chickasaw citizen, will face attorney and minister Jim Priest.
Reports indicate that Thomas led the field with 61,053 votes, approximating 44%, while Priest secured his position with about 34,160 votes or 25%. Both candidates surpassed Troy W. Green, who garnered 20.6%, followed by Ervin Stone Yen and R.O. Joe Cassity Jr.
Regarding their platforms, Thomas emphasizes civil rights and vows to codify marriage equality, acknowledging her own background. She also commits to restoring federal abortion protections and ensuring access to emergency care. On the other hand, Priest outlines his “New FAIR Deal,” focusing on family finances, rural community investments, government transparency, and enhancing public safety.
