Sen. Inhofe Retiring?

[PoliSciGuy]

EDIT: Confirmed by KOCO, announcement to come tomorrow: https://twitter.com/KOCODillon/statu...66158892814357

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/oklahom...ports/39210786

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/0...ahoma-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 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.

[jerrywall]

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.

[Midtowner]

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

[Boop]

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

[Boop]

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

[Jersey Boss]

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.

[BG918]

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

[king183]

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.

[Jersey Boss]

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?

[Plutonic Panda]

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

[soonerguru]

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

[Midtowner]

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.

[April in the Plaza]

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.

[PhiAlpha]

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.

[king183]

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.

[Bunty]

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.

[Dob Hooligan]

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.

[Jersey Boss]

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.

[king183]

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.

[king183]

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.

[onthestrip]

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?

[April in the Plaza]

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.

[Midtowner]

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.

[shartel_ave]

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

[Jersey Boss]

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.