WireMarch 24, 2026 at 4:30 PM
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Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt announced Tuesday that Alan Armstrong, a veteran oil and gas executive, will replace Markwayne Mullin in the U.S. Senate following Mullin’s confirmation as Homeland Security Secretary. Armstrong, who spent nearly four decades at Tulsa-based Williams Companies, is set to serve the remainder of Mullin’s term, which ends in January 2027. Under Oklahoma law, Senate appointees must sign an affidavit pledging not to run for a full term.
At a press conference, Stitt praised Armstrong’s alignment with former President Donald Trump’s energy policies, calling him a champion of the America First agenda. "Few people have done more to champion domestic production and keep Oklahoma at the center of American energy," Stitt said. Armstrong echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the critical need for infrastructure improvements to bolster U.S. competitiveness.
"It’s gotten very, very hard to build large-scale infrastructure, and it is so critical to our country’s competitiveness in the long-term," Armstrong said.
Armstrong retired as CEO of Williams Companies in 2025 but remained involved as executive chairman of the board. His focus on energy independence and permitting reform aligns closely with Trump’s vision for revitalizing America’s energy sector. Armstrong has already met with Trump and key administration officials, including Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, to discuss his priorities.
Armstrong’s tenure in the Senate will be brief, as Trump has endorsed Congressman Kevin Hern to run for the seat in the upcoming November election. Despite this, Armstrong vowed to support Republican policy initiatives and address pressing energy and infrastructure challenges during his time in office.