Tulsa, Oklahoma – On Thursday, House Republican Whip Steve Scalise traveled to Tulsa to show his personal support for Republican congressional candidate Mark Tedford. Speaking at Tedford’s campaign headquarters, Scalise emphasized that the open seat in Oklahoma’s 1st District is a critical battleground for the GOP and should not be dismissed as a low‑stakes race.
Scalise stresses the importance of the open seat
“We just wanted to stop in Tulsa to say, number one, we really want Mark Tedford on our team, and we’re not taking this seat for granted,” Scalise told a crowd of local supporters. “It’s an open seat, so it’s easy for a lot of people to say, ‘well, this one is not that important. I’ll just sit it out.’ We’re saying, ‘no, this one’s very important.’”
Scalise warned that Republican voters should assume nothing is safe or guaranteed in the 2026 election cycle. He urged constituents to get involved early, volunteer for the campaign, and turn out at the polls on November 3.
House leadership ready to welcome Tedford
According to Scalise, the House Republican leadership is prepared to give Tedford a seat at the table in Washington, D.C., should he win. “We’re ready to have him in Washington,” Scalise said, underscoring the party’s commitment to maintaining a strong Republican presence from Oklahoma in the U.S. House.
The endorsement comes as the incumbent Republican congressman, Kevin Hern, is running for the U.S. Senate, leaving the district open for the first time in decades. Hern’s decision to seek higher office has set the stage for a competitive race between Tedford and Democratic nominee John Croisant.
Local GOP leaders welcome the visit
Local Republican officials praised Scalise’s appearance, noting that a high‑profile visit from a senior House leader signals the national party’s confidence in Tedford’s candidacy. Tulsa GOP chairperson Jane Miller said, “Having Speaker Scalise here reinforces the message that this district matters to the party and that we have a clear path forward with Mark Tedford.”
Community members in attendance expressed optimism that Tedford’s platform—focused on limited government, economic growth, and protecting traditional family values—aligns with the priorities of Tulsa voters.
Election details
The race will be decided on November 3, when voters in the Tulsa metropolitan area and surrounding counties head to the polls. Early voting begins next week, and both campaigns have ramped up outreach efforts, including door‑to‑door canvassing, town‑hall meetings, and social‑media engagement.
As the campaign enters its final stretch, Scalise’s endorsement adds momentum to Tedford’s bid to succeed Kevin Hern and keep the seat in Republican hands.
Original reporting: KTUL 8 (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
