The political knives are out in Oklahoma as Senator Markwayne Mullin fights for confirmation as Trump's new DHS Secretary while his GOP colleagues are already measuring the drapes in his Senate office.
Trump's surprise nomination of Mullin to replace the embattled Kristi Noem has set off a feeding frenzy among Oklahoma Republicans who see a golden opportunity to move up the political food chain. Representatives Stephanie Bice and Kevin Hern are leading the charge, with multiple sources confirming both are aggressively positioning themselves for Governor Kevin Stitt's appointment.
But here's the kicker - Mullin knows he's got a fight on his hands and is doing something that would make establishment Republicans clutch their pearls: he's actually promising to EARN Democrat votes during his confirmation hearings.
"Names 'heard on the street' include Bice, Hern, Stitt, Drummond, Brecheen and Deevers," reported @OKBusinessVoice on social media, highlighting just how many ambitious Republicans are eyeing the prize.
The timeline is tight but brutal for these political hopefuls. According to sources tracking the race, candidates have until the April 3 filing deadline to declare, with the primary set for June 16. That's a short window to build a war chest and curry favor with Oklahoma's conservative base.
What's particularly telling is the Teamsters' backing of Mullin's nomination - a rare moment of bipartisan support that suggests Trump's pick might actually have the chops to secure borders and deport illegals, unlike his predecessor Noem who spent more time on TV than securing the homeland.
Representatives Bice and Hern aren't waiting around. Both are already working their donor networks and building campaign infrastructure, knowing that in deep-red Oklahoma, winning the GOP primary is tantamount to winning the general election.
The real question facing Oklahoma Republicans: will they pick a proven America First warrior who'll stand with Trump, or will they fall for another establishment politician who talks tough during campaign season but folds faster than a lawn chair when the deep state applies pressure?
Patriots in Oklahoma better pay attention - this Senate seat could determine whether Trump gets the backup he needs to finish draining the swamp, or if the RINO establishment gets another vote to obstruct the America First agenda.