Kevin Hern

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Kevin Hern
BornKevin Ray Hern
12/4/1961
BirthplaceBelton, Missouri, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician, businessman
Known forU.S. Representative for Oklahoma's 1st congressional district, Chair of the Republican Study Committee
EducationUniversity of Arkansas, Little Rock (MBA)
Children3
Websitehttps://hern.house.gov/

Kevin Ray Hern (born December 4, 1961) is an American politician and businessman who has served as the U.S. Representative for Oklahoma's 1st congressional district since November 2018. A member of the Republican Party, Hern built a career as a McDonald's franchise owner in the Tulsa metropolitan area before entering politics. He won a special election in 2018 to succeed Jim Bridenstine, who had been appointed Administrator of NASA by President Donald Trump. In Congress, Hern rose to leadership positions within the Republican conference, serving as chair of the Republican Study Committee from 2023 to 2025 and subsequently as chair of the House Republican Policy Committee beginning in January 2025. During the turbulent Speaker of the House elections of 2023, Hern was nominated as a protest candidate against Kevin McCarthy in January and later mounted his own candidacy for Speaker in October following the withdrawal of Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan. In March 2026, Hern announced his candidacy for the United States Senate seat being vacated by Senator Markwayne Mullin, who was tapped by President Trump for a cabinet position. His political career has been marked by alignment with conservative Republican positions and close ties to the Trump administration.

Early Life

Kevin Ray Hern was born on December 4, 1961, in Belton, Missouri.[1] He was raised in Pope County, Arkansas, in the town of Dover.[2] His upbringing in rural Arkansas shaped his trajectory toward business and eventually politics, with Hern later frequently referencing his modest origins during campaigns. As a native of Dover, a small community in the Arkansas River Valley, Hern grew up in a region defined by its rural character and working-class economy.

Hern's path from small-town Arkansas to the halls of Congress began with his pursuit of higher education and business ownership. Before entering politics, he spent decades building a career in the fast-food franchise industry, eventually becoming one of the more prominent McDonald's operators in the Tulsa area.[3]

Education

Hern attended Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1986.[2] He also briefly attended the Georgia Institute of Technology. In 1999, Hern completed a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock.[4] His MBA studies coincided with a period of significant business expansion, as he was actively growing his McDonald's franchise portfolio during the late 1990s.

Career

Business Career

Hern's business career centered on the fast-food industry, specifically the McDonald's franchise system. In 1997, he purchased his first McDonald's franchise, marking the beginning of what would become a significant business operation.[3] After relocating to Oklahoma in 1999, Hern steadily expanded his holdings, eventually owning and operating 18 McDonald's franchise locations across the Tulsa metropolitan area.[3] His role as a major franchise operator made him a recognizable figure in Tulsa's business community and gave him a platform from which to launch his political career.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hern's business operations received scrutiny when it was reported that his company, KTAK Corporation, received loans through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a federal small-business relief initiative.[5][6] The Washington Post reported that Hern was among Republican lawmakers and conservative groups that benefited from the federal small-business loan program despite having previously criticized federal spending.[5]

2018 Congressional Campaign and Special Election

Hern's entry into politics came in 2018 when he ran for Oklahoma's 1st congressional district seat, which was vacated by Jim Bridenstine following his appointment as NASA Administrator. The race attracted a competitive Republican primary field. Hern advanced to a runoff election against Tim Harris, a fellow Republican.[7]

The runoff was one of rare congressional runoff elections in the district's recent history.[8] Hern defeated Harris in the Republican runoff to secure the party's nomination.[9]

In the November 2018 special election, Hern faced Democratic nominee Tim Gilpin. Hern won the general election decisively, replacing Bridenstine as the representative for Oklahoma's 1st congressional district.[10] Because the special election coincided with the 2018 general election, Hern was sworn into office on November 13, 2018, ahead of the incoming freshman class of the 116th Congress.[11][12] This early swearing-in gave Hern a brief seniority advantage over his fellow incoming members.

Congressional Tenure

Hern has represented Oklahoma's 1st congressional district, which encompasses the Tulsa metropolitan area, since November 2018.[13] Throughout his tenure, he has aligned with the conservative wing of the Republican Party on fiscal, social, and governance issues.

2020 Presidential Election Challenges

Hern was a prominent figure in efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 United States presidential election. He was among the Republican members of Congress who sought to overturn the election outcome, joining efforts to object to the certification of electoral votes.[14] His participation in these efforts placed him among a group of Republican lawmakers who contested the election results certified by state officials.

Republican Study Committee Chairmanship

In January 2023, Hern became the chair of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), succeeding Jim Banks.[15] The RSC is the largest caucus of conservative Republicans in the House of Representatives, and the chairmanship is considered a significant leadership position within the Republican conference. Hern served in this role until January 3, 2025, when he was succeeded by August Pfluger.

As RSC chair, Hern played a central role in shaping the conservative policy agenda within the House Republican majority during the 118th Congress. The position gave him an elevated platform within the party and increased his influence over legislative priorities.

Speaker of the House Elections (2023)

During the January 2023 Speaker of the United States House of Representatives election, Hern was nominated as a protest candidate against Kevin McCarthy, who faced opposition from a faction of Republican members in his bid for the speakership. The protracted election, which required multiple rounds of voting, highlighted divisions within the Republican conference.

In October 2023, following the unprecedented removal of McCarthy as Speaker through a motion to vacate the chair, a new Speaker election was held. Hern initially announced his candidacy for the position but subsequently withdrew from the race as Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan emerged as the leading candidates. After both Scalise and Jordan failed to secure sufficient support and withdrew, Hern re-entered the race on October 20, 2023, announcing his candidacy once again. The speakership was ultimately won by Mike Johnson of Louisiana.

House Republican Policy Committee Chairmanship

Beginning January 3, 2025, Hern assumed the position of chair of the House Republican Policy Committee, succeeding Gary Palmer.[16] This role placed him within the formal House Republican leadership structure, working under Speaker Mike Johnson. The Policy Committee chairmanship is one of the elected leadership positions within the House Republican conference, tasked with developing and communicating the party's policy positions.

2026 Senate Campaign

On March 11, 2026, Hern formally announced his candidacy for the United States Senate seat in Oklahoma being vacated by Senator Markwayne Mullin, who was tapped by President Donald Trump to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security.[17][18]

In his announcement, Hern emphasized his connections to President Trump, stating that Oklahomans needed to support the Trump agenda in Washington.[19] He hired Trump pollster Tony Fabrizio as part of his campaign team, further underscoring his alignment with the former and current president.[20]

Hern's Senate announcement triggered immediate political ramifications. His decision to vacate his House seat opened up Oklahoma's 1st congressional district, prompting state legislators and other political figures to begin launching their own campaigns. Oklahoma State Representative Mark Tedford announced his candidacy for the open congressional seat shortly after Hern's Senate announcement.[21] Additionally, Hern's departure from the House Republican Policy Committee chairmanship sparked a scramble among House Republicans for the vacated leadership position.[22]

The Hill reported that Hern entered the race as one of the early prominent candidates seeking to replace Mullin, positioning himself as a candidate with both business experience and congressional leadership credentials.[23]

Personal Life

Hern and his wife have three children.[24] The family has been based in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area since Hern relocated from Arkansas in 1999 to expand his McDonald's franchise business. His roots in both rural Arkansas and the Tulsa business community have been recurring themes in his political campaigns, as he has frequently referenced his background as a franchise owner and job creator.

Recognition

Hern's rise within the Republican conference in the House of Representatives has been a defining feature of his political career. His election as chair of the Republican Study Committee in 2023 placed him at the helm of the largest conservative caucus in the House, a position that historically has served as a stepping stone to higher leadership roles.[13] His subsequent election as chair of the House Republican Policy Committee in 2025 further elevated his standing within the party's leadership structure.

His nomination as a protest candidate during the January 2023 Speaker election, while ultimately unsuccessful, demonstrated the support he commanded among a segment of the Republican conference. His candidacy during the October 2023 Speaker election, though also unsuccessful, further raised his national profile.

Hern's campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2026, announced with the backing of Trump-affiliated political operatives, represented his most ambitious political bid to date and marked a transition from House leadership to a statewide campaign in Oklahoma.[17][20]

Electoral History

Hern first won election in a November 2018 special election, defeating Democratic candidate Tim Gilpin to succeed Jim Bridenstine in Oklahoma's 1st congressional district.[10] He has been reelected in subsequent general elections, benefiting from the heavily Republican composition of the district, which encompasses the Tulsa metropolitan area.

His 2018 primary campaign was competitive, requiring a runoff election in which he defeated Tim Harris to secure the Republican nomination.[9] The district has been a reliably Republican seat, and Hern's general election victories have been by comfortable margins.

In 2026, Hern pivoted from his House seat to pursue a statewide campaign for the U.S. Senate, seeking to replace Markwayne Mullin.[17]

References

  1. ↑ "HERN, Kevin Ray". 'Biographical Directory of the United States Congress}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Dover native receives Congressional GOP nomination in Oklahoma". 'Courier News}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "5 Questions with Kevin Hern, McDonald's franchisee".Tulsa World.https://www.tulsaworld.com/business/5questions/questions-with-kevin-hern-mcdonald-s-franchisee/article_af331f46-4134-5512-b397-056b351d435d.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  4. ↑ "HERN, Kevin Ray". 'Biographical Directory of the United States Congress}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "After railing against federal spending, GOP lawmakers, conservative groups benefit from small-business loans".The Washington Post.https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/after-railing-against-federal-spending-gop-lawmakers-conservative-groups-benefit-from-small-business-loans/2020/07/08/4c57769e-c08b-11ea-b178-bb7b05b94af1_story.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  6. ↑ "KTAK Corporation PPP Loan". 'ProPublica}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  7. ↑ "Tim Harris, Kevin Hern headed to 1st Congressional District runoff".Tulsa World.https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/elections/tim-harris-kevin-hern-headed-to-st-congressional-district-runoff/article_4ba1d730-f7c8-58de-bb8b-ec7e663902ae.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  8. ↑ "Rare runoffs to decide 1st Congressional District nominees".Tulsa World.https://www.tulsaworld.com/homepagelatest/rare-runoffs-to-decide-st-congressional-district-nominees/article_83fa6140-095c-501c-9516-bd897a37d925.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Kevin Hern beats Tim Harris for Congressional 1st District Republican nomination".Tulsa World.https://www.tulsaworld.com/kevin-hern-beats-tim-harris-for-congressional-st-district-republican/article_f891201a-7d4c-5ed0-b1a1-e013d976a53b.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Kevin Hern beats Tim Gilpin to replace Jim Bridenstine in Congress".Tulsa World.https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/elections/kevin-hern-beats-tim-gilpin-to-replace-jim-bridenstine-in/article_3d8fa1ec-e237-11e8-947b-2ff12a4f97cc.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  11. ↑ "New 1st District Congressman Kevin Hern sworn in".Tulsa World.https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/government/new-st-district-congressman-kevin-hern-sworn-in/article_62ac4e2b-459e-5fc5-94cb-ff76e8c982c6.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  12. ↑ "Hern taking office ahead of freshman congressional class".The Journal Record.2018-11-08.https://journalrecord.com/2018/11/08/hern-taking-office-ahead-of-freshman-congressional-class/.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Representative Kevin Hern". 'Congress.gov}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  14. ↑ "Here are the Republicans who objected to the Electoral College count".Associated Press.https://web.archive.org/web/20201208201209/https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-elections-electoral-college-3e0b852c3cfadf853b08aecbfc3569fa.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  15. ↑ "Representative Kevin Hern". 'Congress.gov}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  16. ↑ "Representative Kevin Hern". 'Congress.gov}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "Oklahoma Rep. Hern launches bid to succeed Mullin in Senate".Politico.2026-03-11.https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/03/11/congress/oklahoma-hern-senate-bid-mullin-00823533.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  18. ↑ "Republican Rep. Kevin Hern to run for Sen. Markwayne Mullin's seat in Oklahoma".NBC News.https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/rep-kevin-hern-senate-markwayne-mullin-oklahoma-congress-elections-rcna262903.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  19. ↑ "Oklahoma Congressman Kevin Hern formally announces Senate bid".Tulsa World.2026-03-11.https://tulsaworld.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_bf79399f-7791-4018-8c3e-e9c14494ebf2.html.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "House GOP leader launches Senate bid as Trump taps Markwayne Mullin for DHS".Fox News.2026-03-11.https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-gop-leader-launches-senate-bid-trump-taps-markwayne-mullin-dhs.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  21. ↑ "State Rep. Mark Tedford Launches Congressional Campaign for Oklahoma's First District".News On 6.2026-03-11.https://www.newson6.com/politics/mark-tedford-announces-ok1-congress-run-hern-seat.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  22. ↑ "Hern Senate bid sparks House GOP leadership scramble".Axios.2026-03-11.https://www.axios.com/2026/03/11/kevin-hern-senate-house-gop-leadership.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  23. ↑ "Hern launches Senate bid for Mullin's Oklahoma seat".The Hill.2026-03-11.https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5779166-hern-oklahoma-senate-bid/.Retrieved 2026-03-12.
  24. ↑ "HERN, Kevin Ray". 'Biographical Directory of the United States Congress}'. Retrieved 2026-03-12.

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