Oklahoma
Markwayne Mullin’s confirmation hearing: what it means for Oklahoma and Senate race
WASHINGTON, D.C. (KOKH) — Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin faced lawmakers Wednesday in a high-stakes confirmation hearing to become the next Secretary of Homeland Security, a move that could dramatically reshape Oklahoma’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 election.
Mullin, a Republican first elected to the Senate in 2022, appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee as President Donald Trump’s nominee to replace outgoing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
The hearing marks a pivotal moment not only for national security leadership but also for Oklahoma politics, where Mullin’s potential departure from the Senate would trigger a chain reaction in an already active election cycle.
If confirmed by the full Senate, Mullin would be required to resign his Senate seat under the Constitution’s prohibition on holding both legislative and executive offices simultaneously.
A Contentious Confirmation
Mullin entered Wednesday’s hearing with strong backing from Republicans and at least limited bipartisan openness. While most Democrats have expressed skepticism, Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) has publicly supported the nomination, highlighting Mullin’s alignment on border security issues.
Mullin was introduced in the confirmation hearing by fellow Oklahoma Senator James Lankford in a sentimental moment where Sen. Lankford reflected on their first meeting.
Mullin, however, was grilled by fellow Republican and Committee Chairman Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) during the hearing, especially on the topic of violence.
Mullin was also questioned by Sen. Andy Kim (D-New Jersey) about FEMA and disaster responses, pressing Mullin on whether he wanted to do away with FEMA entirely like Noem had previously hinted.
Mullin responded, saying he believes FEMA should be reformed, not dissolved entirely.
WATCH THE FULL CONFIRMATION HEARING HERE:
What Happens to Mullin’s Senate Seat?
Mullin’s confirmation would immediately create a vacancy in Oklahoma’s U.S. Senate delegation and place significant power in the hands of Gov. Kevin Stitt.
Under Oklahoma law, the governor would appoint a temporary replacement to serve until voters select a new senator in the November general election.
However, that appointee would face a major limitation: they would be barred from running in the upcoming election, a rule designed to prevent incumbency advantages.
The appointment would be short-lived regardless. Because the seat is already scheduled to be on the ballot in 2026, the November winner would quickly replace the interim senator and serve the remainder of the term.
A Senate Race Already Taking Shape
Even before Mullin’s confirmation is finalized, the race to succeed him is beginning to take shape.
Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern has already launched a campaign for the seat, signaling what is expected to be a competitive Republican primary.
On the Democratic side, several candidates have entered the race, though Republicans remain heavily favored in the deeply conservative state.
The filing period for candidates begins April 1, meaning the political field could solidify quickly following any Senate confirmation vote.
Who Might the Governor Appoint?
Governor Stitt has not indicated a specific choice for a temporary replacement, but he has signaled he will prioritize a “strong, small-government conservative.”
There are also notable constraints shaping his decision. Reports indicate Stitt may avoid appointing current members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation, and some high-profile state leaders have already said they would decline the role if offered.
Because the appointee cannot run in November, the position is likely to go to a trusted Republican figure willing to serve briefly rather than a rising political candidate.
Construction has officially begun on Oklahoma City’s new MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium.
Oklahoma City Leaders broke ground Monday afternoon on the site. The stadium, designed by Populous, will serve as the future home of Oklahoma City’s professional soccer teams and a United Football League franchise.
Officials said the venue will also host concerts, youth sports, graduations, and other community events.
“Today’s stadium groundbreaking reflects a city that is relentlessly investing in itself,” Mayor David Holt said. “We are perhaps the only top 50 city to lack a multipurpose stadium, and it’s kept us from opportunities in soccer and music, as well as in minor league football, collegiate and high school sports. In 2019, we decided to address that need. And even before we broke ground, we were already seeing new opportunities present themselves. We are also seeing this project become a catalyst for the parcel around it, which promises to develop into a vibrant new mixed-use district in the heart of our city. This MAPS 4 project continues our city’s incredibly successful philosophy. When we invest in our city, we always reap rewards.”
The project is expected to become a major hub for sports and entertainment in downtown Oklahoma City.
City leaders break ground on MAPS 4 multipurpose stadium in downtown Oklahoma City (Photo: City of OKC)
“This stadium will serve as far more than a sports and entertainment venue; it will be a community hub and a catalyst for a bold new cultural district in downtown Oklahoma City,” said Christian Kanady, founder and CEO of Echo Investment Capital. “As the future home of our professional soccer club, it will also host concerts, events, and gatherings that bring people together and deliver on our promise to create meaningful experiences for our fans, partners, and community. This project reflects Oklahoma City’s continued investment and its future, and we’re proud to partner with the City of Oklahoma City on such a transformational vision.”
The stadium will be operated by Echo and their professional sports platform, and built in partnership with Russell Westbrook, Nick Gross, the Chickasa Nation, Poulous, Fields and Futures, and Robison Park.
“The MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium is an investment in the future of Oklahoma City and the talent pipeline for our youth,” Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jamie C. Polk said. “This world-class venue will bring our community together while giving students a place to compete, perform, celebrate graduation, and dream bigger about their future right here at home.”
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Oklahoma isn’t done yet.
The Sooners’ bats kept them in the Atlanta Regional with an emphatic showing in the Atlanta Regional on Sunday.
Deiten LaChance’s grand slam highlighted OU’s eight-run fourth inning, which turned Sunday’s contest against No. 2-overall seed Georgia Tech on its head.
Prior to the fourth, it looked as if it was going to be the Yellow Jackets’ night.
The hosts plated five runs in the third inning to take a 7-2 lead, and a call went against OU in the bottom of the third.
How to Watch Oklahoma vs. Georgia Tech in the Atlanta Regonal Final
- When: Monday, June 1
- Time: 2 p.m.
- Channel: ESPNU
Trey Gambill had snaked a single through the Georgia Tech infield to plate a run and cut the lead down with two outs, but just before the pitch was thrown, the third base umpire raised his arm to indicate there had been a pitch clock violation.
Lucky to have just gotten out of the situation with a ball, Yellow Jacket pitcher Jackson Blakely struck Gambill out, which understandably did not go over well in Oklahoma’s dugout.
The setback only galvanized Skip Johnson’s Sooners, however.
OU responded by sending 11 batters to the plate in the bottom of the fourth, and the Sooners took a 10-8 lead.
It was an advantage they never relented.
Oklahoma added an insurance run in the seventh and four more in the eighth to ensure that the Sooners would head back to the team hotel with a decisive Game 7 of the Atlanta Regional on the mind.
Johnson will have a big choice to make in who starts the do-or-die contest on Monday afternoon (2 p.m., ESPNU).
In OU’s first game against The Citadel on Sunday, Johnson rolled with freshman Nick Wesloski.
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He pitched seven innings to get the Sooners into Sunday night’s contest against Georgia Tech. Oklahoma’s big offensive showing against the Bulldogs meant that Johnson could make any choice necessary in relief, so he threw Reid Hensley and Jaden Barfield for an inning each to seal the win.
Against the Yellow Jackets, OU started Cameron Johnson. He faced just three batters, allowing two runs on two hits, before Oklahoma turned to Jackson Cleveland.
Cleveland tossed three innings in relief. OU also used two innings of Gavyn Jones and LJ Mercurius picked up a save by pitching four innings on Sunday night.
The winner between Monday’s battle will meet 15-seed Kansas in next weekend’s Super Regionals. Georgia Tech would host the Jayhawks with a win, whereas the Sooners would head to Lawrence next weekend if they are able to oust the top seed left in the NCAA Tournament.
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Full Steam Ahead
Full Steam Ahead is a $500 million fundraising initiative to achieve Georgia Tech athletics’ goal of competing for championships at the highest level in the next era of intercollegiate athletics. The initiative will fund transformative projects for Tech athletics, including renovations of Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field (the historic home of Georgia Tech football), the Zelnak Basketball Center (the practice and training facility for Tech basketball) and O’Keefe Gymnasium (the venerable home of Yellow Jackets volleyball), as well as additional projects and initiatives to further advance Georgia Tech athletics through program wide-operational support. All members of the Georgia Tech community are invited to visit atfund.org/FullSteamAhead for full details and renderings of the renovation projects, as well as to learn about opportunities to contribute online.
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