President Trump has decided who he would like to see replace Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), his pick to become the next Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary, in the Senate.
Trump offered Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), who launched a bid for the seat this week, his endorsement in a Truth Social post on Friday, calling Hern a "true friend of MAGA."
"Kevin is strongly supported by the fiercest MAGA Warriors in Oklahoma, and the most Highly Respected Leaders in the United States Senate!" Trump wrote. "As the Chair of the House Republican Policy Committee, Kevin is doing a tremendous job advancing our AMERICA FIRST Agenda."
"Kevin Hern will be an outstanding Senator, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement - HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!" he added.
Hern became the first candidate to formally announce a campaign to succeed Mullin on Wednesday, saying in a launch video that he wanted to ensure Trump "has a loyal ally" in the upper chamber.
He echoed that sentiment in a post thanking Trump for his support on the social platform X on Friday.
"[Trump] has delivered strong leadership for our country, and I'm proud to stand with him to secure our borders, strengthen our economy, support our men and women in uniform, and restore the American Dream for hardworking families," Hern wrote. "I've fought to advance the President's America First Agenda in the House, and I'm eager to continue to be an ally for him in the Senate."
Trump's decision to fire Kristi Noem from DHS and tap Mullin as her replacement created a vacancy in the Senate, where Republicans hold only a slim majority.
The seat will not be permanently filled until after the November election, but Oklahoma law allows Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) to appoint another Republican to temporarily serve until then.
That appointee is barred from running for the office in the next special or general election, however.
Another candidate who floated the possibility of entering the race, Oklahoma Rep. Stephanie Bice (R), said Friday that she had decided not to run.
"President Trump needs strong allies in the House and it is my honor to champion policies that better the lives of everyday Oklahomans," she wrote on X. "In the next few weeks I will file for re-election, and I'm excited to continue traveling across the district to share our strong America first agenda."
Shortly after making the announcement, Bice also earned an endorsement from Trump.
"Thank you to Highly Respected America First Congresswoman, Stephanie Bice, of the Great State of Oklahoma, for deciding, because of her love for her Constituents, and for America, itself, to run for Re-Election to Congress, where she will continue to do a tremendous job serving the people of Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District, who have benefitted greatly from our Republican House Majority!" he wrote on Truth Social.
The primary election is scheduled for June 16. Candidate filing for federal offices is open April 1-3 in Oklahoma, according to the State Election Board.