Tulsa energy exec Alan Armstrong sworn in to replace Sen. Mullin

Oklahoma GOP Governor Kevin Stitt announced that he has appointed energy executive Alan Armstrong to the United States Senate, filling the vacancy created by Markwayne Mullin’s recent confirmation as the new secretary of Homeland Security.

The appointment, announced during a morning press conference at the State Capitol, places the former CEO of Williams Companies in the upper chamber at a pivotal moment for federal energy policy.

Armstrong was sworn in Tuesday afternoon by Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), ensuring Oklahoma maintains its full representation as the Senate moves forward with a packed spring legislative calendar.

He will serve alongside Oklahoma Senator James Lankford as an interim appointee. Under Oklahoma law, he will serve until the results of the November 3, 2026, general election are certified, which is expected to happen by late November or early December.

 

Armstrong is also legally barred from running for the seat himself in that election.

Governor Stitt emphasized that Armstrong’s selection was driven by a need for a conservative business leader who could hit the ground running on infrastructure and regulatory reform.

“Alan’s story, as you guys get to know him, reflects the very best of Oklahoma,” he said. “Our values, our work ethic, and our pursuit of the American dream that is alive and well in the state of Oklahoma.”

 

Armstrong, 63, spent nearly four decades at Williams Companies, a Fortune 500 natural gas giant headquartered in Tulsa. He served as the company’s president and CEO for 14 years before transitioning to executive chairman in 2025.

According to surfacing reports, Armstrong’s primary focus during his tenure will be permitting reform. Both Stitt and Armstrong noted that they had consulted with President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) regarding the appointment.

All parties purportedly agreed that the Senate needs a technical expert to help break the long-standing deadlock over streamlining federal approvals for large-scale energy projects.

 

“The truth is, it’s gotten very, very hard to build large-scale infrastructure, and it is so critical to our country’s competitiveness in the long term,” Armstrong told reporters. He also noted that his background in the energy industry provides a unique perspective on the regulatory hurdles facing the U.S., adding that his primary focus in the Senate will be securing permitting reform to bolster national interests.

 “This was definitely a tough decision on one hand,” Armstrong continued at the Tuesday press conference. “But on the other hand, it was kind of a no-brainer, because I really wouldn’t want to be sitting around in my retirement thinking, ‘gosh, I could’ve contributed and done something.’”

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Duration

Armstrong will serve as an interim senator until the results of the November 3, 2026, general election are officially certified. Under Oklahoma’s 2021 vacancy law, the interim term concludes once a permanent successor is elected and sworn in, which is expected to occur in January 2027.

Party Alignment

Per Senate Bill 959, any interim appointee must have been a member of the same political party as the departing senator — in this case, the Republican Party — for at least five years immediately preceding the appointment.

Additionally, the appointee must sign a legally binding public oath or affidavit with the Secretary of State affirming they will not seek the office in the upcoming election, a measure designed to prevent them from having an “incumbency advantage.”

Succession

Republican Representative Kevin Hern of Oklahoma’s 1^st District has solidified his position as the leading candidate for the permanent seat. Recently, his campaign gained significant momentum after receiving an early endorsement from President Donald Trump, who praised Hern as a “warrior” for the America First agenda.

With fellow Representative Stephanie Bice opting to run for re-election to the House instead of challenging him, Hern enters the June primary as the clear favorite.

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The seat became vacant after Mullin was confirmed by the Senate in a 54-45 vote on Monday night to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Mullin succeeds Kristi Noem, who was recently removed from the post by the Trump administration. Mullin, a member of the Cherokee Nation and a former MMA fighter, had served in the Senate since 2023.

Meanwhile, Armstrong’s arrival in Washington does not change the balance of power in the Senate, where Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority. However, his deep ties to the energy sector and his previous roles, including chairing the National Petroleum Council, are expected to make him a central figure in upcoming debates over the “America First” energy agenda.

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