Oklahoma Congressman Kevin Hern recently sat down with Farm Director KC Sheperd to discuss his background, his legislative record, and his vision for the future as he transitions from the U.S. House of Representatives to a run for the U.S. Senate. Hern, who currently represents Oklahoma’s First District, officially announced his candidacy for the Senate on March 11th, receiving an endorsement from President Donald Trump shortly thereafter.
From Humble Beginnings to Business Success
Hern shared a personal narrative of overcoming poverty in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, noting that his family lived without indoor plumbing or running water until he was in the eighth grade. As the only one of five siblings to graduate high school, he went on to earn an engineering degree and an MBA.
His professional career is defined by his 35-year tenure as a McDonald’s franchisee, starting with a single restaurant in North Little Rock and eventually expanding to 24 locations with over 1,200 employees after moving to Oklahoma. Beyond the restaurant industry, Hern has been involved in banking, real estate development, and manufacturing.
Legislative Priorities and Agricultural Impact
During his eight years in the House, Hern has focused heavily on tax policy, healthcare costs, and national security. As the chair of the Republican Policy Committee for the past five years, he emphasized that his approach is rooted in policy rather than politics.
For Oklahoma’s agricultural community, Hern highlighted several key issues:
- Input Costs: He addressed the rising costs of phosphates and fertilizers, noting how timing and availability significantly impact planting seasons and hay production.
- The Farm Bill: Hern advocated for the inclusion of work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents (ages 18–64) within the Farm Bill to garner more Republican support.
- Tax Policy: He pointed to the “death tax” as a major burden for multi-generational farms and noted successful efforts to raise the inheritance tax threshold to $15 million per parent ($30 million per couple) to preserve family-owned land.
- Equipment Expensing: Hern highlighted policies that allow farmers to expense the full cost of high-priced equipment, such as combines and tractors, in a single year rather than over a decade.
A Vision for Rural Oklahoma
Hern expressed a deep commitment to protecting rural Oklahoma, citing the need to address the “flight to urban areas” by improving rural schools and medical facilities. He is currently working with the Ways and Means Committee to lower healthcare costs and shift decision-making power away from insurance companies and back to patients.
Drawing inspiration from the late Dr. Tom Coburn, Hern aims to implement long-standing conservative strategies to “bend the cost curve” on healthcare and government spending. He praised the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the federal workforce, noting that by the end of 2025, the number of federal employees returned to levels not seen since 1964.
The Trump Endorsement
A major milestone for the campaign occurred shortly after Hern’s official announcement on March 11th. President Donald Trump officially endorsed Kevin Hern on March 13th, citing their history of working together on tax policy, border security, and strengthening the military. Hern noted that the endorsement came quickly due to the lack of “daylight” between his legislative work in the House and the President’s policy goals.
Support from Oklahoma Leadership
In addition to federal support, Hern has solidified his standing within the state. Hern also confirmed that U.S. Senator James Lankford has officially endorsed his candidacy. Hern highlighted that receiving an endorsement from a sitting Senator while still serving in the House is a rare and significant nod to his legislative record.
Broader Congressional Backing
Hern’s influence within the Capitol is further evidenced by endorsements from leadership and colleagues:
- Speaker of the House: Hern has the full support of the Speaker of the House, who he described as a close friend and partner in policy.
- Conservative Senators: Beyond Senator Lankford, Hern has already secured endorsements from five other conservative, business-oriented members of the U.S. Senate.
- The House Delegation: Many of his colleagues within the House of Representatives have also voiced their support, citing his five-year tenure as the chair of the Republican Policy Committee.
With the filing period approaching and 85 days left in the race, Hern plans to lean on these endorsements to demonstrate a proven track record of advancing conservative policy.
The Road Ahead
With the filing period approaching and approximately 85 days left in the race, Hern emphasized his “happy warrior” approach to conservatism. He maintains that a business-minded perspective is essential in the Senate, where he intends to continue focusing on the “America First” agenda, securing borders, and national security. To see more from Kevin Hern you can visit his facebook page and his website.
