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.
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 before 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.
Even though it is expected for the above listed to announce their bid for the seat, Inhofe endorsed Luke Holland, his chief of staff, to replace him. Oklahoma’s filing peri0d opens on April 13, 2022, and is open for three days.
“Senator Inhofe has dedicated his life to serving our state 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 name 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 Washington, I wish him and Kay nothing but the best in their well-deserved retirement in the Sooner state.”
Tom Cole, OK-04, also sent out a press release speaking about the retirement announcement.
“While I respect Jim Inhofe’s decision to retire in January of next year, I heard the news with a heavy heart. Jim Inhofe is the longest serving federal elected official in Oklahoma history. He 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 he 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. When he ran for the 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 of his political team."
“In 2002, in a late campaign development, I ran for the U.S. House when my friend and client J. C. Watts decided not to seek re-election. Jim 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 Inhofe. He has been a role model, a mentor and a wise counselor throughout my career."
“In my time in Congress, 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 unmatched 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 have worked hand in 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 working with Jim, I was on the right side for both America and Oklahoma."
“I look forward to working with my friend Jim Inhofe in the months ahead to advance the interests of our state 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, America 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 Jim and his family well in his retirement. But I know Oklahoma and America will miss his leadership, integrity and vision in the years ahead. Very few political leaders are irreplaceable. In my opinion, Jim Inhofe is."