THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Oklahoma begins choosing a new US senator and governor in crowded primary – US politics live <p>Race set to test Donald Trump’s iron grip on the Republican party</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&amp;utm_campaign=BN22326&amp;utm_content=signup&amp;utm_term=standfirst&amp;utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email</a></p></li></ul><p>Hello and welcome to the US politics live blog.</p><p><strong>Races for the Senate and governor in Oklahoma in primary elections begins today, as Donald Trump’s iron grip on the Republican party faces its next test.</strong></p><p><strong>The United States and Iran have signed a memo of understanding giving them 60 days to find a way out of the war.</strong> The terms of the deal, which has not been publicly released, remain unclear. Vice-president JD Vance called the 1.5-page MOU a “very general document” whose details will be ironed out in the coming weeks of negotiations.</p><p><strong>The future of the strait of Hormuz remains cloudy.</strong> US officials have offered conflic…

Oklahoma begins choosing a new US senator and governor in crowded ... U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma is hoping to win the Republican nomination for the Senate seat once held by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin Oklahoma’s primary elections on Tuesday put open races for U.S. Senate and governor on the ballot in the deeply conservative state where President Donald Trump’s status as party kingmaker faces another test ahead ofNovember’s midterms. In the Senate race, Trump’searly backingof Republican U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern for the seat previously held by Homeland Security SecretaryMarkwayne Mullinkept other potential big challengers at bay in Oklahoma, which hasn’t elected a Democratic senator since 1990. A bigger test of Trump’s influence — which has usually proved potent in Republican primaries this year — may come in a crowded race to succeed outgoingGov. Kevin Stitt. Trump endorsed former state Sen. Mike Mazzei last month, wading late into a primary that includes several prominent Oklahoma Republicans. They include Attorney General Gentner Drummond, former Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall and Chip Keating, the state’s former public safety director. It has …

Oklahoma begins choosing a new US senator and governor in crowded primary Rep. Kevin Hern, candidate for U.S. Senate, smiles after speaking at the Oklahoma Republican Party headquarters, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Oklahoma Republican Party chair Charity Linch, left, and Rep. Kevin Hern, candidate for U.S. Senate, speak at the state GOP headquarters, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond testifies during a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing on Capitol Hill, Jan. 10, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File) A voter looks over a ballot at a polling location inside the Shoppes at Northpark mall, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Voters mark ballots at a polling location inside the Shoppes at Northpark mall, Tuesday, June 16, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Oklahoma’s primary elections on Tuesday putopen races for U.S. Senate and governoron the ballot in the deeply conservative state where President Donald Trump’s status as party kingmaker faces another test ahead ofNovember’s midterms. In the Senate…

Oklahoma begins choosing a new US senator and governor in crowded primary Oklahoma begins choosing a new US senator and governor in crowded primary FILE -Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. By John Hanna, The Associated Press Posted Jun 16, 2026 01:10:00 AM. Last Updated Jun 16, 2026 01:13:29 AM. Oklahoma’s primary elections on Tuesday put open races for U.S. Senate and governor on the ballot in the deeply conservative state where President Donald Trump’s status as party kingmaker faces another test ahead of November’s midterms . In the Senate race, Trump’s early backing of Republican U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern for the seat previously held by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin kept other potential big challengers at bay in Oklahoma, which hasn’t elected a Democratic senator since 1990. A bigger test of Trump’s influence — which has usually proved potent in Republican primaries this year — may come in a crowded race to succeed outgoing Gov. Kevin Stitt . Trump endorsed former state Sen. Mike Mazzei last month, wading late into a primar…

Oklahoma begins choosing a new US senator and governor in crowded ... Oklahoma’s primary elections on Tuesday put open races for U.S. Senate and governor on the ballot in the deeply conservative state where President Donald Trump’s status as party kingmaker faces another test ahead of November’s midterms. In the Senate race, Trump’s early backing of Republican U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern for the seat previously held by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin kept other potential big challengers at bay in Oklahoma, which hasn’t elected a Democratic senator since 1990. A bigger test of Trump’s influence — which has usually proved potent in Republican primaries this year — may come in a crowded race to succeed outgoing Gov. Kevin Stitt. Trump endorsed former state Sen. Mike Mazzei last month, wading late into a primary that includes several prominent Oklahoma Republicans. They include Attorney General Gentner Drummond, former Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall and Chip Keating, the state’s former public safety director. It has raised the likelihood of an August runoff if no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote. In a solidly Republican state, the open races for two of Oklahoma…

Primary election will narrow crowded field in Oklahoma governor's race ... Politics and Government Primary election will narrow crowded field in Oklahoma governor's race By Graycen Wheeler , Sierra Pfeifer , OPMX Published June 16, 2026 at 6:00 AM CDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Abi Ruth Lewis / Oklahoma Legislative Service Bureau Nine Republicans and three Democrats are competing for party nominations as Oklahoma prepares to elect a new governor this fall. Come January 2027, Oklahoma will have a new governor, and 15 candidates hope it will be them. Tuesday's primaries will narrow that field, as nine Republicans and three Democrats appear on ballots across the state. Republican primary The stacked Republican roster includes former state senator Mike Mazzei , who leads a Tulsa-based wealth management firm. Mazzei received an endorsement from President Donald Trump, who commended Mazzei's track record as a "MAGA warrior" and his "America First" platform in a post on social media . Mazzei says if elected, he would overhaul the state's tax code, marijuana licensing system and Medicaid program. As Oklahoma's Attorney General since 2023, Gentner Drummond has targeted illegal marijua…

Oklahoma begins choosing a new US senator and governor in crowded ... U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma is hoping to win the Republican nomination for the Senate seat once held by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin Oklahoma’s primary elections on Tuesday put open races for U.S. Senate and governor on the ballot in the deeply conservative state where President Donald Trump’s status as party kingmaker faces another test ahead ofNovember’s midterms. In the Senate race, Trump’searly backingof Republican U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern for the seat previously held by Homeland Security SecretaryMarkwayne Mullinkept other potential big challengers at bay in Oklahoma, which hasn’t elected a Democratic senator since 1990. A bigger test of Trump’s influence — which has usually proved potent in Republican primaries this year — may come in a crowded race to succeed outgoingGov. Kevin Stitt. Trump endorsed former state Sen. Mike Mazzei last month, wading late into a primary that includes several prominent Oklahoma Republicans. They include Attorney General Gentner Drummond, former Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall and Chip Keating, the state’s former public safety director. It has …

Oklahoma begins choosing a new US senator and governor in crowded ... Audio By Carbonatix Oklahoma’s primary elections on Tuesday put open races for U.S. Senate and governor on the ballot in the deeply conservative state where President Donald Trump’s status as party kingmaker faces another test ahead of November’s midterms. In the Senate race, Trump’s early backing of Republican U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern for the seat previously held by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin kept other potential big challengers at bay in Oklahoma, which hasn’t elected a Democratic senator since 1990. A bigger test of Trump’s influence — which has usually proved potent in Republican primaries this year — may come in a crowded race to succeed outgoing Gov. Kevin Stitt. Trump endorsed former state Sen. Mike Mazzei last month, wading late into a primary that includes several prominent Oklahoma Republicans. They include Attorney General Gentner Drummond, former Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall and Chip Keating, the state’s former public safety director. It has raised the likelihood of an August runoff if no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote. In a solidly Republican state, the open…