UMVA has learned that Rep. Kevin Hern, a Republican vying for a seat in the Senate, is scratching his head over why his possible future colleagues can't pass a key voter ID and citizenship verification bill, a top concern for his constituents in Oklahoma.
In an exclusive interview, Hern revealed that the one thing he hears from voters constantly is whether Congress will pass the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, a bill that has been stuck in the Senate due to Democratic opposition and some Republicans voting against it in various forms.
"They're saying we need to work on, you know, the SAVE Act," Hern said ahead of primary Election Day. "I mean, this is time and time again." He expressed frustration that some Republican senators are not supporting the bill, saying "I understand why Democrats don't support it. They don't support anything that protects America."
Hern, who has served five terms in the House and has risen to the fourth-highest role in House GOP leadership as House Republican Policy chair, is no stranger to big challenges. He ran for Speaker of the House when former Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted and has amassed a bevy of endorsements from senators and President Donald Trump.
Trump lauded Hern as being "strongly supported by the fiercest MAGA Warriors in Oklahoma, and the most Highly Respected Leaders in the United States Senate!" Hern knows that Oklahoma is Trump country, noting that voters there "love the president. They love the fact that I support the president and I work with the president."
With Trump's endorsement and a strong lead in the primary, Hern is poised to win the Senate seat in November, but he's not resting on his laurels. He credits his success to hard work and preparation, having grown up without indoor plumbing and built a McDonald's franchise empire in Oklahoma, earning him the nickname "McCongressman."
"I just respect the idea of work. I think working hard gives you a chance to compete with anybody," Hern said. "And so, same thing with the Senate race. I came out strong, set a tone from day one." He believes his work ethic and relationships will serve him well if he's successful in November and decides to seek a spot in Senate GOP leadership.
Hern's approach to leadership is centered around hard work and positioning, saying "We've got people on third base who think they're ready to be in leadership, and I'm running right past them, and they say, ‘Who's this guy?’ And it's a guy like me that's just been working hard, positioning, building relationships."
