Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt announced the appointment of energy executive Alan Armstrong to the U.S. Senate, filling the vacancy created by the nomination of U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security.
Stitt said the appointment comes at a critical time for federal energy policy and emphasized Armstrong’s experience in the industry and his focus on permitting reform.
“I’m incredibly proud now to announce that my pick as the next U.S. senator of the state of Oklahoma is Alan Armstrong,” Stitt said, adding that Armstrong “understands the power of free markets and limited government” and has spent his career supporting the country’s energy infrastructure.
Armstrong is the longtime head of Williams Companies, one of the nation’s largest natural gas pipeline operators headquartered in Tulsa. Stitt highlighted Armstrong’s role in keeping the company based in Oklahoma and his work expanding pipeline infrastructure.
Stitt said he selected Armstrong after discussions with federal leaders about the need for someone who can help advance permitting reform and work across party lines in Washington.
“And to me, it was just like, who would be the best person to serve,” Stitt said. “And I think it’s clearly Alan Armstrong.”
In remarks following the announcement, Armstrong said he accepted the appointment out of a sense of responsibility to serve the state and address challenges facing the country’s energy and infrastructure systems.
“It really is an honor to have the opportunity to serve,” Armstrong said, calling the decision difficult but necessary given current national challenges.
Armstrong said a primary focus of his time in the Senate will be addressing permitting issues that he argues are slowing infrastructure development and affecting U.S. competitiveness.
“It is so critical to our country’s competitiveness in the long term,” Armstrong said. “And that really is holding our country back.”
Armstrong said he plans to work with congressional leadership and bring his industry experience to policy discussions, particularly on energy and infrastructure.
The appointment marks a rare instance of a governor selecting a U.S. senator in Oklahoma, which Stitt noted has not occurred in decades.
You can watch Stitt’s news conference announcing Armstrong’s appointment below.
