Stitt appoints Alan Armstrong to fill Mullin's Oklahoma Senate seat

Governor Kevin Stitt has appointed Alan Armstrong, an energy executive and former CEO of Williams Companies, to fill the vacant U.S. Senate seat left by outgoing Senator Markwayne Mullin.

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Mullin resigned after being confirmed as Secretary of Homeland Security, creating a significant political vacancy in Oklahoma's representation.

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Armstrong, who is chairman of the Williams Companies Board of Directors, will serve the remainder of Mullin's term until January 2027.

The appointment comes after President Donald Trump tapped Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security following Kristi Noem's removal from the position on March 5, 2026.

Stitt emphasized that Armstrong reflects Oklahoma's values and work ethic, describing him as 'a strong business leader who understands the power of free markets and limited government.'

Armstrong is expected to be sworn in quickly and immediately begin taking on legislative responsibilities in the Senate.

Alan Armstrong brings extensive experience in the energy sector to his new Senate role.

The 63-year-old is a third-generation Oklahoman who graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering.

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He has worked at Williams Companies for nearly four decades, serving as president and CEO for 14 years before becoming executive chairman.

Under his leadership, Williams Companies became Oklahoma's largest publicly traded company, specializing in natural gas processing and transportation.

The company accounts for about one-third of the natural gas consumed in the United States daily.

Armstrong has also served on several national energy industry boards, including the National Petroleum Council, American Petroleum Institute, and Energy Infrastructure Council.

He currently chairs the board at the University of Oklahoma Foundation and is a founding member of Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future.

The selection process for Armstrong's appointment involved consultations with key national Republican figures.

Stitt traveled to Washington D.C. and met with President Donald Trump, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and other Republican leadership to determine their needs for the seat.

Stitt received numerous nominations from across Oklahoma but ultimately narrowed the field to Armstrong after discussions with Trump.

The governor portrayed the appointment as 'non-political,' emphasizing that he chose Armstrong based on his ability to serve the country and Oklahoma best.

Armstrong emerged as the leading candidate after several early contenders lost momentum or withdrew from consideration, including energy executive Harold Hamm and Dustin Hilliary, who removed himself from consideration.

Stitt had initially considered running for the seat himself but determined there was no clear path to victory after gauging support from national Republican leaders.

Armstrong has identified energy permitting reform as his primary legislative priority in the Senate.

He plans to use his experience in expanding natural gas pipeline systems to advocate for improvements in the federal permitting process, which he believes is hindering the country's infrastructure competitiveness.

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Armstrong stated that 'it's gotten very, very hard to build large-scale infrastructure' and that this is critical to America's long-term competitiveness.

He has pledged to work across party lines on this issue, noting that he was specifically chosen for his ability to facilitate permitting reform discussions.

Armstrong, who has been involved in high-profile projects in the Northeast where regulatory challenges have slowed development, brings practical experience to this policy area.

He has resigned from his position with Williams Companies but it remains unclear if he has stepped away from his role at the OU Foundation.

Armstrong's Senate tenure will be relatively brief, as he is prohibited by Oklahoma state law from running for the seat in the November 2026 election.

He signed an affidavit Tuesday morning indicating he will not run for the seat, though he will serve until January 2027 when voters elect a replacement.

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The open Senate seat has already reshaped Oklahoma's congressional landscape, with Republican Rep. Kevin Hern of Tulsa emerging as the current frontrunner to seek the position.

Hern secured an endorsement from President Trump shortly after launching his campaign.

Former Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum praised Armstrong's appointment, noting his willingness to step away from his business career to serve public interest.

Bynum highlighted Armstrong's previous community involvement, including volunteering on a task force to address street-work issues when he was mayor.

Armstrong's appointment maintains Republican control of the seat, which is crucial for the party's 53-47 majority in the Senate.