Oklahoma Governor Appoints Alan Armstrong To Sense In Senate After Mullin'S Promotion
On Tuesday, Governor Kevin Stitt appointed energy executive Alan Armstrong to serve in the U.S. Senate for one year as a Republican replacement for Markwayne Mullin following his promotion to homeland security secretary on March 24th; this appointment ensures that Oklahoma's remaining two-year term is completed by an insider with no prior federal experience or campaign history, while also addressing concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest given Armstrong's close ties and lack of Senate committee assignments.
Key Points
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1Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has officially announced his appointment for energy executive Alan Armstrong to serve as a U.S. Senator.
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2Armstrong is being appointed specifically to finish the unexpired term of Republican Markwayne Mullin, who was promoted from Senate seat to Secretary of Homeland Security on Tuesday (March 24).
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3The new arrangement ensures that Oklahoma will have full representation in both chambers for a portion of this year.
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4Governor Stitt has previously pledged his support and selection criteria regarding conservative candidates.
Developments
Republican Governor Kevin Stitt appointed Alan Armstrong to serve Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin for nine months after his confirmation at Homeland Security. Under state law restrictions preventing a full-term run and with no prior elected office experience, Armstrong is expected not to seek re-election this fall while former Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett praised him as an even-tempered energy industry expert capable of building consensus rather than relying on political ideology.
Republican Governor Kevin Stitt appointed Alan Armstrong to finish Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin's term in U.S. Senate through December 31st after Mullin was confirmed for a new role leading Homeland Security under Oklahoma law, which requires the appointee not run again this fall and limits campaign contributions from candidates within their state of residence (though Stitt is head of NGA).
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt appointed energy executive Alan Armstrong to fill U.S. Senate seat vacated by newly confirmed DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, with the appointment lasting until November's election under state law requiring appointees not run for a full term while Rep. Kevin Hern emerges as his primary opponent in that race and has received endorsements from President Trump