EDIT: Confirmed by KOCO, announcement to come tomorrow: https://twitter.com/KOCODillon/status/1496966158892814357

There are a lot of (so far unconfirmed) reports from pretty reliable sources that Sen. Inhofe may resign in the coming days. See:

https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-jim-inhofe-to-announce-resignation-reports/39210786

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/02/24/inhofe-to-retire-from-senate-teeing-up-special-election-in-oklahoma-00011534

https://twitter.com/jmartNYT/status/1496938363424673797

This has caused some quick speculation about who might run in the special election, or who Governor Stitt will appoint in the interim. Former OK-5 rep Kendra Horn may have hinted (https://twitter.com/KendraSHorn/status/1496961538191761410) at some interest upon hearing the news.

Note: Pete (wisely) closed the politics forum, so try to keep the conversation here about the topic and not your own thoughts on Inhofe, Bice, Stitt or other politicians. This would be a seismic event in Oklahoma politics if it pans out and I hope we can discuss it in that frame.

This wasn't too much of a surprise - it was well known this was his final term and most didn't expect him to complete it. I expect he'll finish this session, so there won't be an appointment, just a special election.

My speculation is that Stitt will resign as governor, and Pinnell will appoint him as our next Senator. Bob Kerr all over again.

My speculation is that Stitt will resign as governor, and Pinnell will appoint him as our next Senator. Bob Kerr all over again.

It would be nice but it is not going to happen

Inhofe would have retired a long time ago if voters did not vote for him

My speculation is that Stitt will resign as governor, and Pinnell will appoint him as our next Senator. Bob Kerr all over again.
Can't do that. At least Stitt would not be able to run if appointed. The appointment wouldn't run very long.
Title 51, Sec 10.

Of course nothing would prohibit him from running while still Governor. He then could resign if he wins the primary.

You have to wonder if David Holt or especially GT Bynum throw their hat in the ring.

Can't do that. At least Stitt would not be able to run if appointed. The appointment wouldn't run very long.
Title 51, Sec 10.

Of course nothing would prohibit him from running while still Governor. He then could resign if he wins the primary.

There will be no appointment. It will be a concurrent special election.

Also, Stitt can’t run for those two offices concurrently. He would have to switch from the election for governor to the election for senate.

There will be no appointment. It will be a concurrent special election.

Also, Stitt can’t run for those two offices concurrently. He would have to switch from the election for governor to the election for senate.

I think you are confusing running and serving. I have been unable to find any prohibition on running concurrently. There is a prohibition on serving concurrently. Any cite on running concurrently?

Hopefully this leads to an expedited US-412 interstate conversion.

I fear we are going to be stuck with Hern or Mullin. Talk about an embarrassment on the national stage.

Can't do that. At least Stitt would not be able to run if appointed. The appointment wouldn't run very long.
Title 51, Sec 10.

Of course nothing would prohibit him from running while still Governor. He then could resign if he wins the primary.

Didn't realize they changed that law since Kerr resigned as governor and Nigh appointed him to the Senate.

You have to wonder if David Holt or especially GT Bynum throw their hat in the ring.

I don’t really see Holt having much success in the rural areas, tbh. Would be a lot like Mick’s gubernatorial campaign.

I don’t really see Holt having much success in the rural areas, tbh. Would be a lot like Mick’s gubernatorial campaign.

holt actually served as a republican for 8 years in the OK state senate so for that reason alone, I think he would have much more success than Mick did in his gubernatorial campaign.

I think you are confusing running and serving. I have been unable to find any prohibition on running concurrently. There is a prohibition on serving concurrently. Any cite on running concurrently?

No, not confused here. The law has long prohibited running for multiple offices simultaneously.

§26-5-106. §26-5-106. Candidate may file for only one office.
Candidates may file for no more than one office at any election.
A Special Election and a Regular Election held on the same date shall
be considered one election.

I don’t really see Holt having much success in the rural areas, tbh. Would be a lot like Mick’s gubernatorial campaign.

The urban counties together with several of the college town counties could likely overcome the rural counties.

Didn't realize they changed that law since Kerr resigned as governor and Nigh appointed him to the Senate.

I believe Senator Robert S. Kerr died, and Governor J. Howard Edmondson resigned in order to elevate Lt. Governor George Nigh to the big chair. Nigh then appointed Edmondson to the U.S. Senate.

No, not confused here. The law has long prohibited running for multiple offices simultaneously.

§26-5-106. §26-5-106. Candidate may file for only one office.
Candidates may file for no more than one office at any election.
A Special Election and a Regular Election held on the same date shall
be considered one election.

Thanks for taking the time to clear this up for me King.

Thanks for taking the time to clear this up for me King.

Happy to! Thanks for asking for the cite—which I should have included in my first post on it.

Dominoes starting to fall big time here. While Stitt has said he will not run for Senate, Congressman MarkWayne Mullin and Kevin Hern have announced their intent to run, which means two congressional seats will be open too—assuming both ultimately file for the race. With two congressional seats open and given it’s an even numbered election year, we are going to see major jostling and turnover in the legislature.

Dominoes starting to fall big time here. While Stitt has said he will not run for Senate, Congressman MarkWayne Mullin and Kevin Hern have announced their intent to run, which means two congressional seats will be open too—assuming both ultimately file for the race. With two congressional seats open and given it’s an even numbered election year, we are going to see major jostling and turnover in the legislature.

Also have Inhofe's chief of staff Luke Holland running. Looks like extreme wacko Jackson Lahmeyer is shifting from running against Lankford to running for this senate seat. Some expect TW Shannon to enter. Will be crowded.

Kendra Horn sent out the eyes emoji, so I imagine she'll be running on dem ticket.

On other race, I guess it will be just Lankford vs Dahm?

The urban counties together with several of the college town counties could likely overcome the rural counties.

In the general, sure. But unlikely in the primary.

I believe Senator Robert S. Kerr died, and Governor J. Howard Edmondson resigned in order to elevate Lt. Governor George Nigh to the big chair. Nigh then appointed Edmondson to the U.S. Senate.

The deal went down in my step-grandfather's living room. Much before my time though. Step-grandfather was a lawyer, served a bit on the Court of Criminal Appeals. My grandmother, I believe, was on Nigh's administrative staff.

anyone else think it is hilarious that scott pruitt is running for senate?

No way he gets elected in this state again, dude is a moron

anyone else think it is hilarious that scott pruitt is running for senate?

No way he gets elected in this state again, dude is a moron

n/m. It would've been censored.

anyone else think it is hilarious that scott pruitt is running for senate?

No way he gets elected in this state again, dude is a moron

Oh, I'm not 110% sure about that. Surely lots of Oklahoma Republicans, especially in rural counties have forgiven Pruitt
for holding up Oklahoma voting on passing legal medical marijuana by a year and a half, and the other thing he tried to do against pot that made Oklahoma look bad. Pruitt should do good in rural counties. Unfortunately for rural counties, Pruitt isn't doing good enough in the polls to be in a runoff. It seems the runoff will be between Mullin and Shannon. Mullin is 100% pro-life with no exceptions with plenty of Oklahoma Republicans strongly agreeing with him. They surely think it's a myth that a woman ever needed an abortion to save her life. Still, if from doing nothing the unborn baby and mother die, then it had to be due to God's will as many Republicans would tell you. You don't want to circumvent God's will and provoke HIs wrath. So, I predict Mullin will easily be Oklahoma's next senator. As a result, don't be surprised if Oklahoma Republican legislators want to pass a bill that literally bans all abortions.

Inhofe's pick, Holland, doesn't have a prayer of a chance.

Some people speculate Pruitt is running for federal office to make it less likely for him to be charged with crime, if he wins. If Trump ends up not being indicted for any crime, I don't think politicians need to worry about being charged with anything. So, it's up to voters to have the good sense to vote out criminals and corrupt incumbent politicians. If they absolutely refuse to do so, then they quite richly deserve the corrupt government they get with their squandered tax dollars.

Sen. Lankford will surely easily win, too. While the far, far, right in Oklahoma hate Lankford, the right and far right voters rule the Oklahoma Republican Party.

Oh, I'm not 110% sure about that. Surely lots of Oklahoma Republicans, especially in rural counties have forgiven Pruitt
for holding up Oklahoma voting on passing legal medical marijuana by a year and a half, and the other thing he tried to do against pot that made Oklahoma look bad. Pruitt should do good in rural counties. Unfortunately for rural counties, Pruitt isn't doing good enough in the polls to be in a runoff. It seems the runoff will be between Mullin and Shannon. Mullin is 100% pro-life with no exceptions with plenty of Oklahoma Republicans strongly agreeing with him. They surely think it's a myth that a woman ever needed an abortion to save her life. Still, if from doing nothing the unborn baby and mother die, then it had to be due to God's will as many Republicans would tell you. You don't want to circumvent God's will and provoke HIs wrath. So, I predict Mullin will easily be Oklahoma's next senator. As a result, don't be surprised if Oklahoma Republican legislators want to pass a bill that literally bans all abortions.

Inhofe's pick, Holland, doesn't have a prayer of a chance.

Some people speculate Pruitt is running for federal office to make it less likely for him to be charged with crime, if he wins. If Trump ends up not being indicted for any crime, I don't think politicians need to worry about being charged with anything. So, it's up to voters to have the good sense to vote out criminals and corrupt incumbent politicians. If they absolutely refuse to do so, then they quite richly deserve the corrupt government they get with their squandered tax dollars.

Sen. Lankford will surely easily win, too. While the far, far, right in Oklahoma hate Lankford, the right and far right voters rule the Oklahoma Republican Party.

I totally agree with your post, especially in regards to Luke Holland. How absolutely WEIRD are his TV commercials? The guy is a far-right nutjob, in my opinion.

And what's with he and other candidates referencing "Godless Socialists?" Is calling Democrats that what passes for genuine political discourse in this country nowadays?

I totally agree with your post, especially in regards to Luke Holland. How absolutely WEIRD are his TV commercials? The guy is a far-right nutjob, in my opinion.

And what's with he and other candidates referencing "Godless Socialists?" Is calling Democrats that what passes for genuine political discourse in this country nowadays?

Or Lankford's ads basically saying God will fix everything for us. The unabashed use of religion in political ads to prop up the GOPs positions on gun control, healthcare, etc. is astounding.

Or Lankford's ads basically saying God will fix everything for us. The unabashed use of religion in political ads to prop up the GOPs positions on gun control, healthcare, etc. is astounding.

Exactly. If we're going to wait on God/Allah/Buddah/The Flying Spaghetti Monster to "fix" things, we're going to be waiting a long time.