Alan Armstrong

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt appointed Republican energy executive Alan Armstrong to the U.S. Senate on Tuesday.

Armstrong, the chair and former chief executive of an energy infrastructure company, will replace Senator Markwayne Mullin, who will lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“I have every confidence that Alan will bring the same integrity, his work ethic and love for Oklahoma to the U.S. Senate that he’s shown his entire career,” Stitt said during a press conference. “He will fight for our values, defend our freedoms and champion policies that strengthen families, create jobs and secure America’s future.”

The state Democratic party has called the appointment corrupt.

“The corruption doesn’t stop. Stitt is expected to appoint the SECOND HIGHEST PAID CEO in the State to fill Markwayne Mullin’s Senate seat,” the organization wrote in a Facebook post. “I’m sure this oil tycoon understands our struggles.”

The National News Desk hasn’t been able to confirm the party’s claims.

Armstrong, who will serve until an elected candidate takes office next year, expressed mixed feelings at the press conference about accepting Stitt’s offer.

“This was definitely a tough decision on one hand, but on the other hand it was kind of a no-brainer because I really wouldn’t wanna be sitting around in my retirement thinking, ‘Gosh, I could have contributed and done something,’” Armstrong said.

Mullin's Senate term began in 2023, when he joined the chamber after a decade-long career in the House. He has been a consistent supporter of President Donald Trump, who called the lawmaker a “MAGA Warrior” when he nominated him for DHS secretary earlier this month.

“Markwayne truly gets along well with people, and knows the Wisdom and Courage required to Advance our America First Agenda,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

Stitt, who expressed optimism about Mullin’s new role, also spoke about Mullin as an “America First” advocate.

“Alan is strongly aligned with President Trump on energy policy,” the governor said. “Few people have done more to champion America First agenda to keep Oklahoma at the center of domestic production so that we can deliver clean, reliable and affordable energy to American citizens than Alan Armstrong.”

Trump has frequently criticized carbon-free energy, and costs for oil and gas have soared amid his war with Iran, which began with a fatal U.S.-assisted Israeli airstrike against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran has threatened to attack tankers exporting Gulf oil, leading prices to rise.