Oklahoma GOP Chairman John Bennett announces run for Congress

Oklahoma GOP Chairman John Bennett became the latest Republican to announce his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives, aiming to grasp the 2nd Congressional District seat that is being vacated by Rep. Markwayne Mullin.

Taking the stage Friday during a campaign rally for U.S. Senate candidate Jackson Lahmeyer, Bennett announced his plans to an audience of about 350 people.

“Some of you may not be in my district and that’s OK, because there are no borderlines for liberty,” said Bennett, of Sallisaw. “We’re going to get this country back where it needs to be, and we’re going to put freedom back on the offensive where it belongs.”

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Bennett, a 46-year-old Marine Corps veteran, was elected as the GOP leader in April. He previously served in the Oklahoma House from 2011 to 2018.

Last summer, he came under fire from some members of his own party for comparing vaccine mandates to the persecution of Jews in Nazi Germany. He later doubled down on those claims.

While it is nearly unheard of for party leaders to publicly support candidates in a primary election, Bennett has backed Lahmeyer for Senate, turning away from incumbent James Lankford.

“We need people with a spine and principles who will stand up and fight for we the people,” said Bennett to rally attendees, stressing the need to recapture the country from progressive politicians and policies.

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Lahmeyer, a Tulsa pastor, offered support to Bennett during the rally at Sundance Airport in Oklahoma City. Roger Stone and Michael Flynn, allies to former President Donald Trump, also spoke during the campaign event.

“There is no question whatsoever that we need to put that great American patriot, my new friend and a man I admire enormously, John Bennett, in Congress,” said Stone.

Last month, Mullin, R-Westville, announced he would run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Jim Inhofe, who will step down from office in January.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: GOP Chairman John Bennett joins race for 2nd Congressional District