OKLAHOMA CITY — In some ways, the past week has been a hustler for TW Shannon.
But it is also a moment that the former speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives has been waiting for eight years.
“Since 2014, I knew there was another race in me,” said Shannon, who announced her candidacy for the United States Senate during a press conference at the First Americans Museum on Thursday afternoon.
This will be Shannon’s second bid for the Senate, both under somewhat unusual circumstances.
Eight years ago, Shannon gave up the presidential chair to enter the Republican primary to replace Sen. Tom Coburn, who had tendered his resignation in February, effective the following January.
Shannon ended up losing to then-Congressman James Lankford in a runoff.
The circumstances are similar this time. Sen. Jim Inhofe resigned last month, effective next January, allowing the state to conduct a series of special elections alongside the regular election calendar.
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But while that aspect of the election is the same, Shannon said that politically “there’s a completely different dynamic.”
Former President Donald Trump is part of this different dynamic.
Trump’s perceived effect on Republican voters is such that nearly every GOP candidate invokes his name and the America First slogan he salvaged from the pile of catchphrases with disreputable stories.
Shannon did the same. He told the audience of supporters and campaign workers that he spoke to Trump and Trump associate Kelly Anne Conway on Wednesday.
Later, Shannon called Conway a consultant for her campaign; Stephanie Alexander, an Oklahoma City consultant who has held senior positions in Trump campaigns, is also on Shannon’s team.
The “America First Agenda,” Shannon said, is a must.
But when asked how he plans to differentiate his relationship with Trump from that of other GOP candidates claiming ties to the former president, Shannon changed direction.
“All I know is you have to run your own campaign,” he said. “You have to listen. People across the country are suffering.”
Shannon, 44, joins a group that already includes 2nd District Congressman Markwayne Mullin, former Inhofe chief of staff Luke Holland and state senator Nathan Dahm.
Others, including 1st District Congressman Kevin Hern, are eyeing the short-season campaign leading up to the June 28 GOP primary and a possible August runoff.
No Democratic or other non-Republican candidates ran.
Shannon got at least one high-profile endorsement on Thursday — Chickasaw Gov. Bill Anotatubby.
“I support him 100%,” said Anoatubby, who attended the announcement. “We’re thrilled. He has all the ability and background to do the job.”
Although Shannon is known as Oklahoma’s first and only African-American speaker, he is perhaps more popular and influential with Chickasaws and other Native Americans.
Shannon is a citizen of Chickasaw and was the general manager of the 100% owned Chickasaw bank.
In her announcement speech, Shannon laid down a traditional Republican marker that transcends Trump: the defense of capitalism and free enterprise.
“The real reason I’m running for the Senate is because capitalism matters,” he said. “There is a generation of citizens who believe this is a cruel and racist system that only benefits the few.
“There’s a narrative that if you look like me and you were born in America, the system doesn’t work for you,” he said.
Current or rumor? U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe’s seat draws candidates across Oklahoma
Ready to retire
US Senator Jim Inhofe was elected to complete a partial term in the Senate in 1994 and was last elected in 2020. His current term expires in 2026.
A new law enacted only last year that allows for the appointment of US senators to fill vacancies would not come into play. It would only apply if a vacancy occurs before March 1.
Jose Luis Magana, AP file
TW Shannon

This will be TW Shannon’s second bid for the Senate, both under somewhat unusual circumstances. Eight years ago, Shannon gave up the chair of Oklahoma House speaker to enter the Republican primary to replace Sen. Tom Coburn, who had tendered his resignation in February, effective the following January.
Shannon ended up losing to then-Congressman James Lankford in a runoff.
BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN
Nathan Dahm

State Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, was already competing with Jackson Lahmayer against fellow U.S. Senator from Oklahoma, James Lankford, vying for re-election this year. On February 28, Dahm announced that he would campaign for the seat of Inhofe.
Mike Simons Tulsa World File
Markwayne Mullin

Another Republican, 2nd District Congressman Markwayne Mullin, announced on Saturday that he would run for the open Senate seat. Mullin has a broad geographic base, conservative bona fides and the resources to capitalize on it — as long as his rejected promise to serve no more than three terms in Congress doesn’t jump to bite him.
Mike Simons Tulsa World File
Kevin Hern

Despite only being in his second term, 1st District Congressman Kevin Hern, a Republican, has made no secret of his interest in the Senate and has the financial resources to spend more than most. opponents. A website claiming to support Hern for the U.S. Senate is unrelated to the congressman’s campaign, according to Hern’s staff.
Mike Simons Tulsa World File
Coasts of Trento

Trent Shores, a former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District, may not be well known to the public, but he is highly respected within the Republican Party.
Tulsa World File
Jackson Lahmeyer

Jackson Lahmeyer is already a candidate for the Senate – Oklahoma’s other seat – and informed his supporters in an email on Saturday that he intended to stay in the race against incumbent Republican James Lankford and that he would would support and rally his supporters behind a candidate for the seat of Inhofe.
Tulsa World File
Kendra’s Horn

Any Democrat is an extreme longshot, but former 5th District Congresswoman Kendra Horn might have the best chance of at least letting the Republican nominee know he fought.
Provided
Kevin Stitt

Many people have speculated that Governor Kevin Stitt will eventually run for the Senate.
“Due to questions from the press, let me be clear about this upcoming election cycle. I am fully committed to serving the State of Oklahoma as Governor and seeking the support of Oklahomans for another four years. in that role,” Stitt said Friday. “Oklahoma’s recovery is well underway with record unemployment, historic levels of investment in education, the largest savings account in state history, and tax cuts for all. I continue to be focused on building a Top Ten state by working with my friends in the Legislature to advance transformational, conservative reforms that protect freedoms and benefit all 4 million Oklahomans.”
Stephen Pingry Tulsa World Record
Matt Pinnell

Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell has national contacts from his days as a top Republican Party official, but will not run for the seat.
“I absolutely love serving as Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma, and I know we make a real difference in this role. We are on our way to making Oklahoma one of the top 10 states, but there is still work to be done. I’m dedicated to continuing this work for years to come,” he said. “Lisa and I still have four children at home, from a sophomore year to a child in kindergarten. I pledge to be their father first and Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma second.”
Tulsa World File
Scott Inman

No one gives an old-fashioned windup quite like Democrat Scott Inman, pictured in 2017, the former State House Minority Leader and former gubernatorial candidate. Inman confirmed to Tulsa World that he has no plans to run.
The Oklahoma File
Mike Worker

A frequent candidate for office in Oklahoma, Democrat Mike Workman, pictured in 2016, says he will announce his candidacy on Friday.
Tulsa World File
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Tulsa World Newsroom: The Story Behind Sen. Jim Inhofe with Political Reporter Randy Krehbiel