Hern, Kevin

Kevin Hern represents Oklahoma's 1st congressional district in the House of Representatives, a position he has held since 2018. Born in Missouri and raised in Arkansas, Hern built his career as an entrepreneur before entering politics. He purchased his first McDonald's franchise in 1997 and eventually expanded to own 18 locations in the Tulsa area, earning the nickname "McCongressman" during his initial campaign. Beyond his restaurant holdings, Hern has invested in various business ventures including a hog farm, community bank, and manufacturing operations, making him one of Oklahoma's wealthiest serving members of Congress.

In the House, Hern serves on the Committee on Ways and Means, where he participates in the Health and Tax subcommittees. His legislative focus reflects his business background, with sponsored bills addressing franchise issues, including the American Franchise Act and measures supporting home health services. He has also introduced resolutions recognizing World Franchise Day, underscoring his continued interest in small business policy.

Hern has taken prominent roles within Republican leadership circles. In 2023, he became chair of the Republican Study Committee, a conservative caucus within the House. He has also been nominated as a candidate for Speaker of the House during multiple speaker elections, including in January 2023 and October 2023, positioning himself as a conservative alternative during internal party leadership contests.

Hern was notably involved in efforts to challenge the 2020 presidential election results, signing an amicus brief supporting a Supreme Court lawsuit contesting those results. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his company received federal small business loans, a decision that drew attention given his public stance on fiscal restraint and deficit reduction.