Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., secured a primary victory Tuesday night in Oklahoma and pledged to advance the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE, America Act, a contentious voting measure that has stalled in the Senate amid unified Democratic opposition and some Republican defections. The legislation's fate highlights ongoing partisan battles over voting access and election administration that advocates warn could disenfranchise eligible voters.
Hern told Fox News Digital in an interview that constituents frequently ask whether Congress will pass the bill. "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."
Legislative Stalemate
The SAVE Act has been stuck in the Senate, where all Democrats have vowed to block it, and some Republicans have voted against it in various forms. Hern said, "This is something I'm not real sure why Republican senators are not supporting," and added, "I understand why Democrats don't support it. They don't support anything that protects America."
Hern has served five terms in the House, where he rose to the fourth-highest role in House GOP leadership as House Republican Policy chair. He also ran for Speaker of the House when former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was ousted.
Path to the Senate
His decision to leave the House and seek a seat in the Senate came after President Donald Trump nominated fellow Oklahoman, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, to lead the DHS earlier this year. Since entering the race earlier this year, Hern has amassed endorsements from senators and Trump, who called him "strongly supported by the fiercest MAGA Warriors in Oklahoma, and the most Highly Respected Leaders in the United States Senate!" Hern said voters in Oklahoma "love the president. They love the fact that I support the president and I work with the president."
Hern likely will not face strong headwinds in November against one of a half dozen Democratic candidates seeking the nomination in Oklahoma, given that Trump has won the state — and all 77 of its counties — three times.
Business Background
Hern, who grew up without indoor plumbing, said he knows the value of work and preparation. He said that is what landed him his own McDonald's franchise empire in Oklahoma, where he owned 24 restaurants, and that past life in business earned him the nickname "McCongressman." Hern said, "I just respect the idea of work. I think working hard gives you a chance to compete with anybody," and, "And so, same thing with the Senate race. I came out strong, set a tone from day one." He also said, "The president endorsed me in the first 48 hours because of the work I've done over the last eight years," and, "And I think it goes back to that common word of work and working hard."
Leadership Ambitions
Hern said that if he is successful in November, he is not shutting down the option of seeking a spot in Senate GOP leadership. He said, "if you wait till something comes available, and you start working hard, it's too late because there are other people like me that have started out in the proverbial parking lot." Hern added, "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," and, "And I think that's important going forward, and we'll see what comes open."
Why This Matters:
Hern's primary victory and his emphasis on the SAVE Act underscore the continued centrality of voting legislation in partisan battles over election access. Democrats' unified opposition to the measure reflects concerns that such legislation could create barriers to voting for eligible citizens, particularly in communities that already face obstacles to political participation. The bipartisan resistance in the Senate, including some Republicans voting against various forms of the bill, suggests questions about the measure's necessity and potential impact on voter access. As Hern moves toward a likely general election victory in heavily Republican Oklahoma, his pledge to prioritize this stalled legislation signals ongoing tensions over how democratic institutions balance election security claims with the fundamental right to vote and participate in self-governance.