What does Mullin’s nomination mean for Oklahoma politics? - ICT
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The ripple down effects of his departure from Congress could pave the way for two more Native American politicians to represent the state of Oklahoma in the Senate and House.

Pauly Denetclaw
ICT

In a shocking turn of events, the only Native American person in the U.S. Senate, Markwayne Mullin, Cherokee, has left his influential, stable position to head the Department of Homeland Security — which has been under intense national scrutiny after two American citizens were killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota.

President Donald J. Trump announced Mullin’s nomination Thursday afternoon.

Quick context

  • Trump removed former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem after being accused of mismanagement.

  • Noem used more than $270 million of deportation funding to purchase two luxury Gulfstream jets and leasing a Boeing Business Jet 737.

  • Her department also spent $200 million on self-deportation ads prominently featuring Noem. Trump ran on a campaign promise to drastically cut government spending.

  • This is the first high-profile firing in Trump’s second term. During his first term, there was a high turnover rate in his cabinet.

Now what? A few possible scenarios.

Considering all of this, it’s surprising that Mullin would leave his cushy post in the Senate to risk leading a department mired in controversy, and criticism from both sides of the aisle.

His absence does pave the way for another Native American politician to head to the U.S. Senate and represent the state of Oklahoma, said Mullin’s former chief-of-staff and political pundit Michael Stopp, Cherokee.

  • “The governor [Kevin Stitt] could appoint himself… or he could put together a scenario where he steps down and his lieutenant governor, Matt Pinnell, appoints him to the Senate seat,” said Stopp.

  • Historically, the 16th Oklahoma governor J. Howard Edmondson appointed himself to fill a U.S. Senate seat.

  • Stitt is a member of the Cherokee Nation, though his administration has had a tumultuous relationship with tribal nations in Oklahoma.

  • He has reached his term limit as governor and cannot seek reelection.

  • Stitt said he planned to return to the private sector after his term ends.

In this scenario, it would be jarring for tribal leaders across the country to go from Mullin who supports tribal sovereignty and tribal consultation. As senator, he met regularly with tribal leaders. To Stitt who has had a contentious, and often hostile relationship with tribal nations.

“Those of you who’ve been keeping track with Oklahoma politics know that there is a little bit of animosity between the governor and the tribes here,” Stopp said. “So that would be a very interesting change from who we have in Markwayne Mullin.”

If Stitt were to appoint himself, under state law, he would not be able to run in the special election. Why?

  • In 2021, Oklahoma passed The Oath Not to Run law and it requires any appointee to sign an oath that they will not declare as a candidate for that same seat in the upcoming election.

  • “But that law has never been tested. The question is whether or not the state can actually stop that from happening, because currently, the U.S. Constitution makes the determination on who is eligible to run for a U.S. Senate seat,” Stopp said. “There could be some conflict there.”

If Stitt chooses to appoint someone to fill Mullin’s post, a possible candidate could be T.W. Shannon, Chickasaw.

  • Shannon has run for the Senate twice.

  • He is currently running for lieutenant governor of Oklahoma.

Even if Shannon is not appointed, he would likely run in the special election later this year, said Stopp. If Shannon chooses to.

Another likely special election candidate would be Congressman Kevin Hearn who represents Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District, essentially Tulsa. A city that sits at the intersection of the Cherokee Nation, Muscogee Nation and Osage Nation.

  • This would open up a House congressional seat in Tulsa, which has a population of nearly 50,000 people who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, according to the U.S. Census. (This number does not include American Indian or Alaska Native people who identify with two or more races.)

  • In the 2024 election, Dennis Baker, Muscogee and Euchee, ran for 1st Congressional District as a Democrat.

  • Baker or another Native American politician could run for Oklahoma’s 1st District.

“There could be a lot of interest in new Native American political candidates in this [year’s] election here in Oklahoma,” Stopp said.

Stitt said in a press release, he is looking to “appoint a strong, small government conservative voice to support President Trump and protect Oklahomans’ way of life.”

The special election will coincide with the midterm elections. Stitt has 30 days to appoint someone to the Senate seat.

The candidate filing dates are April 1-3, according to the Oklahoma State Election Board.

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