Oklahoma's U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe announced that he will be retiring before his six-year term is over. Inhofe has held his seat for almost 28 years.
Inhofe said in an interview with The Oklahoman that he and his wife, Kay, decided they "need to have time together," and he is "absolutely'' at peace with their decision.
Inhofe sent out a letter informing the public of his decision.
"It is bittersweet, but with a clear heart, that Kay and I announce that at the end of the year, I will retire from the United States Senate," Inhofe said in the press release.
He said that politics was not on his radar, but things happened that set it in motion.
"Going into public service was never in my plan. For years, Kay and I were focused on our family and building our business together," Inhofe noted. "Then, one day, I needed a dock permit. I had to visit 27 government offices to get a single dock permit and realized if we wanted the government to work for the people, not against the people, it was up to us to make a change."
Then, he mused on his journey in the letter.
"Still, whenourjourneyof service to Oklahoma started with my first political campaign in 1967, we never expected that the road the Lord would lead us down would take us from the Oklahoma legislature, to being Mayor of Tulsa, to the House ofRepresentatives, and, finally, to the United States Senate where I was privileged to lead the committees that best serve Oklahomans."
Inhofe decided to step down to allow future politicians a chance at the proverbial wheel.
"Throughout our years there has been one constant - making the world safer and better for our 20 kids and grandkids and the next generation of Oklahomans. It is now time for that next generation of Oklahomans to have the opportunity to serve the state in the U.S. Senate."
He said that even though he's retiring, he still has plans.
"Today's announcement is not the end of the road. I have work yet to do for Oklahomans over these next nine months, including passing theN ational Defense Authorization Act and holding the Eiden administration accountable.
"Thank you to everyone who has trusted me with your vote over these many years," continued. "It has been an honor to serve you in the Senate. May God bless you and God bless Oklahoma."
He said that even though it was a quick decision, it was one he did not take lightly.
"I didn't make a solid decision until two or three weeks ago," Inhofe said. "There has to be one day where you say, 'All right, this is going to be it."'
Inhofe was elected to his fifth Senate term in 2020 and said he will serve until the next Congress opens in January 2023. His decision to retire will force a special election to find his replacement.
Inofe's retirement announcement correlates to a quirk in Oklahoma law that requires the governor to call a special election if any lawmaker announces their retirement b efore March 1. The law states that the special election would be held concurrently with the statewide primary, runoff, and general election.
The replacement will more than likely follow a 32-year tradition and stay Republican. Oklahoma has not sent a Democrat to the Senate since 1990 when David Boren won his third term against Stephen Jones.
Since Inhofe has gone public with his retirement announcement, Oklahomans are likely to begin seeing announcements from eager Republicans who wish to take his place. Possible politicians who are expected to throw their proverbial hats in the ring are U.S. Representatives Kevin Hern-R, and Markwayne Mullin-R; T.W. Shannon, who is a former Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and ran for U.S. Senate in 2014; and Tulsa attorney, and current attorney general candidate Gentner Drummond.
On February 28, Mullin announced that he will in face be running for the soon to be empty seat. He released a video sharing his announcement.
"I'm just going to t ell you the way it is. I'm in," h e said. "I'm not one to back away from a fight. In fact, I believe 100% if you're going to get in a fight, you win it. So, we're in it to win it."
Even though it is expected for the above list ed to announce their bid for the seat , Inhofe endorsed Luke Holland, his chief of st aff, to replace him. Okla homa's filing period opens on April 13, 2022 and is open for three days.
Representatives are sending out press releases to give their thoughts on Inhofe's retirement. Mullin said h e tips his hate to Inhofe for his tireless dedication to Oklahoma .
"Senator Inhofe has dedicated his life to serving our st ate and our country," Mullin said. "Serving in both chambers of both our state and federal governments, he has been a strong and steady voice for Oklahomans every step of the way. His accomplishments for Oklahoma are too many to n ame and his commitment to our men and women in uniform is too great to be matched. I have no doubt we are better off today because of his tireless service and I am truly at a loss for words in describing my gratitude. While I will sincerely miss him in Wash ington, I wish him and Kay nothing but the best in their well-deserved retirement in the Sooner st ate."
Tom Cole, OK-04, also sent out a press release speaking about the r et irement an nouncement.
"While I respect Jim Inhofe's decision to retire in J anuary of next year , I heard the news with a h eavy heart. Jim Inhofe is the longest serving federal elected official in Oklahoma history. H e casts a giant shadow in Oklahoma political history.
"I first met Jim Inhofe almost 50 years ago when I was a young Republican activist , and h e was running for Governor in 1974. Jim didn't win that race, but he went on to become the most consequential and effective political leader in Oklahoma history.
"Jim was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1986 when I was Republican State Chairman. Whenhe ranforthe U.S. Senate, I was privileged to be one of his political consultants. And I was his chief pollster in his 1996 and 2002 Senate campaigns. It was an honor and an education to be part ofhis political team.
"In 2002, in a late campaign development, I r an for the U.S. House when my friend and client J . C. Watt s decided not to seek reelection. J im was one of those who encouraged me to run for Congress, and he helped me every step of the way.
"Once I arrived in Washington, no one did more to help, advise, educate and support me than Jim lnhofe. He has been a role model, a mentor and a wise counselor throughout my career. gress, no one has done more to defend America, build infrastructure across our country and fiercely defend and advance the interests of Oklahoma than Jim Inhofe. He leads our congressional delegation and represents our state with unmatch ed vision, energy and integrity. He is a giant in the Senate and the most important Republican leader in the history of our state.
"Serving in Congress with Jim Inhofe has been one of the greatest privileges of my career . We h aveworkedhandin hand on defense issues, infrastructure improvement and a range of issues impacting America's and Oklahoma's future. I always found that when I was workingwithJim, I was on the right side for both America and Oklahoma.
"Ilook forward to working with my friend Jim Inhofe in the months ahead to advance the interests of our stat e and our country. But when he retires from the Senate, no one will miss him more, no one will honor him more and no one will celebrate his service more than me. When Jim Inhofe leaves the Senate, Amer ica will be losing a great patriot and statesman . Oklahoma will be losing a relentless advocate and defender . And I will be losing a role model, a mentor and a great friend.
"I wish J im and his family well in his retirement . But I know Oklahoma and America will miss his leadership, integrity, and vision in t he years ahead. Very few politicalleaders are irreplaceable. In my opinion, Jim Inhofe is."