Mullin to DHS: who might replace him in the Senate, plus other repercussions

With the news that President Donald Trump is tapping U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to be the new Department of Homeland Security secretary, the 2026 Oklahoma election cycle has been thrown into another round of chaos.

Assuming Mullin's almost-certain confirmation, that will necessitate an interim appointment by Gov. Kevin Stitt to fill out the remainder of Mullin's Senate term (through January 2027). By Oklahoma statute, a temporary appointee pledges to not run for the full-term position. Thus, the appointee will be a lame-duck placeholder, while a fresh slate of candidates will compete for the full 6-year Senate term in the November 2026 election.

Trump nominates Muskogee's Johnny Teehee for US Marshal

Lankford Applauds Nomination of Johnny Teehee III to be US Marshal for the Eastern District of Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — US Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today issued the following statement of support for President Trump’s nomination of Johnny Teehee III to serve as United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

Small: Medicaid expansion follies show need for initiative-petition reform

Medicaid expansion follies show need for initiative-petition reform

By Jonathan Small

In 2020, Medicaid expansion was approved by the narrowest of margins through a ballot measure placed before voters via the initiative-petition process. The proposal added hundreds of thousands of able-bodied adults to the welfare program and put taxpayers on the hook for paying the medical bills of numerous adults who were capable of gainful employment but not pursuing it.

The measure was strongly rejected by election-day voters and majorities in roughly 90 percent of counties. It passed only because of absentee votes. Yet today, Oklahoma faces a reported Medicaid shortfall of roughly a half-billion dollars that is due largely to the expansion. Every dollar going to expansion takes money away from schools, roads, public safety, or tax relief for working families.

The debacle of Medicaid expansion shows why initiative-petition reform is needed. Unfortunately, it has been relatively easy for out-of-state special interests to pour money into Oklahoma to promote badly designed and counterproductive measures that create serious long-term challenges for our state.

Bill to give counties 'marijuana impact tax' option passes first House committee

Eaves Bill on County Marijuana Impact Tax Moves Forward

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ryan Eaves, R-Atoka, passed a bill this week that would give counties the option to impose a local public service impact tax on retail marijuana sales.

House Bill 3314 would authorize counties to impose up to a 15% public service impact tax on retail marijuana sales within county limits. The bill does not automatically create a tax. If a county chooses to pursue one, it must first be approved by a majority of county voters at a special election. The bill also exempts marijuana grown on private property by individuals that is not sold.

House committee advances Shaw's bill to criminalize hostile foreign land ownership

Shaw Bill on Foreign Land Ownership Advances from Committee

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Shaw, R-Chandler, secured committee passage of a bill that would add criminal penalties to Oklahoma’s existing prohibitions on hostile foreign ownership of land.

While state law already restricts certain foreign ownership of property, Shaw said current statutes lack meaningful criminal enforcement mechanisms. House Bill 1453 would close that gap by making violations a felony offense.

HB1453 would prohibit foreign governments, entities and businesses linked to countries subject to U.S. arms regulations, as well as entities of particular concern designated by the U.S. Department of State, from acquiring real property or agricultural land in Oklahoma.

Mike Mazzei airs new TV ad in gubernatorial race

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei is out with a new TV ad discussing his past car crash injury and what drives him to run for Governor:

MIKE MAZZEI TURNS TRAGEDY INTO TRIUMPH IN NEW MEDIA CAMPAIGN

Tulsa, OK (February 23, 2026) — Mike Mazzei, Republican candidate for Oklahoma Governor, is launching a new campaign ad across TV and streaming platforms statewide. In the ad, Mazzei shares details of his tough journey to regain his strength after a near-fatal car crash.

“Oklahoma’s state motto is Work Conquers All Things. I am living proof of that,” Mike Mazzei said. “My recovery was slow and difficult, often painful, but I never stopped working and moving forward. I wasn’t about to let a little thing like a broken back and 30 surgeries hold me down.”

MAPS: Oklahoma voter registration changes, 2025 to 2026

Here's the 2026 installment of my long-running Voter Registration Maps series. As you can see, there is no blue on the map; the Republican Party has held leads in all 77 counties since March of 2024, the culmination of a decades-long trend, when Coal County became the final one to flip. 

Multi-County Grand Jury indicts man in fake Ryan Walters letter scheme

Multi-County Grand Jury indicts man in fake Ryan Walters letter scheme 

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 13, 2026) – The Multi-County Grand Jury indicted a Massachusetts man this week for falsely impersonating former State Superintendent Ryan Walters.  

According to the indictment, Owen Thomas Cunningham, 48, sent letters in August 2024 to school superintendents across Oklahoma. The letter directed school officials to distribute documents to students. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation launched an investigation after Walters confirmed he did not authorize or send the letters. 

Hamilton's bill to prohibit underage marriage clears Senate committee

Hamilton Bill to Prohibit Underage Marriage Clears Judiciary Committee

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 11th)  – The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved legislation by Senator Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, to prohibit marriage under the age of 18 in the State of Oklahoma. Senate Bill 504 eliminates current provisions in state law that allow 16- and 17-year-olds to marry with parental consent.

“Though nearing adulthood, the fact remains that these are minors who are vulnerable and need legal protections from those who seek to prey upon them,” Hamilton said. “By raising the legal age for marriage, we are closing dangerous loopholes and ensuring more children can grow up safely, without risk of coercion.”

OK House committee passes over-the-counter Ivermectin bill

Fetgatter Passes Ivermectin OTC Bill

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, on Wednesday passed a bill in the Public Health Committee that would allow ivermectin suitable for human use to be sold over-the-counter in pharmacies.

House Bill 4124 would permit a pharmacist to supply ivermectin to a person without requiring a prescription from a health care professional. Notwithstanding any other law, a pharmacy would not be criminally or civilly liable for supplying ivermectin.

Keating pledges to name something after Trump if elected Governor

We have officially entered the "I will name something after President Trump in order to more shamelessly pander for his endorsement than my opponents" phase of the 2026 Republican primary for Governor...

Chip Keating Announces Plan to Launch the Trump National Laboratory for Energy and National Security

OKLAHOMA CITY (February 19th) - Chip Keating today announced a cornerstone initiative of his administration: the creation of the Oklahoma headquartered Trump National Laboratory for Energy and National Security.

Keating unveiled the proposal as part of a broader vision to secure Oklahoma's long-term economic leadership, strengthen national security, and ensure companies built in Oklahoma continue to grow and remain in the state.

Small: Medicaid expansion (not) working as predicted

Medicaid expansion (not) working as predicted

By Jonathan Small

Proponents of adding able-bodied adults, including many working-age men, to Oklahoma’s Medicaid program promised it would solve virtually all the state’s health-care woes. Rural hospitals would suddenly be lavishly funded. State government would be flush with cash. Health outcomes would improve on a skyrocketing trajectory.

Obviously, none of those things has happened despite expansion having been in place for five years now.

Instead, officials with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA), which administers Medicaid, have requested an additional state appropriation of nearly $500 million this year, due in part to surging costs related to the expansion population.

Rather than create a windfall of free-flowing federal cash as expansion supporters promised, Medicaid expansion is creating major budget challenges.