OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe will hold a news conference Friday afternoon endorsing Luke Holland for U.S. Senate who is his current Chief of Staff.
This announcement comes shortly after it was reported on Thursday that Sen. Inhofe was soon to announce that he was stepping down from the role.
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 13: Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) wears a protective mask while walking through the U.S. Capitol on February 13, 2021 in Washington, DC. The Senate will hear closing arguments and possibly vote on whether to convict former President Donald Trump for inciting the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds – Pool/Getty Images)WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 19: Chairman Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) gives opening remarks at the confirmation hearing for Secretary of Defense nominee retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin before the Senate Armed Services Committee at the U.S. Capitol on January 19, 2021 in Washington, DC. Previously Gen. Austin was the commanding officer of the U.S. Central Command in the Obama administration. (Photo by Greg Nash-Pool/Getty Images)U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe
Sen. Inhofe was elected to serve another six year term in 2020. It has yet to be determined if he will remain in the seat for the rest of the year, or step aside immediately.
Some names of a replacement that had been circulating since the news broke included Former Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, T.W. Shannon, U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Tulsa and U.S. Rep. Markwayne Mullin, R-Westville, among others.
However, it was a media advisory sent out Friday morning that added another potential replacement, and one that Sen. Inhofe will endorse: Luke Holland.
Holland has served as Sen. Inhofe’s Chief of Staff since February 2017, according to his LinkedIn profile.
In the media release, Holland is touted as a fourth generation Oklahoman with conservative values.
