America’s First ‘McSenator’ Runs for Congress

He built a fast-food fortune under the golden arches. Now he appears headed for the upper chamber of Congress.

Trump-endorsed Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern cruised to victory in the Republican Senate primary, placing the former McDonald’s franchise owner firmly on track to become what some are already calling America’s first “McSenator.”

Hern, 64, previously operated 18 McDonald’s restaurants around Tulsa and amassed an enormous personal fortune before selling off his franchise holdings by 2021.

According to his latest financial disclosure, the successful businessman is worth at least $110 million — making his journey from burger franchises to the halls of Congress a supersized version of the American Dream.

Hern has represented Oklahoma in the House since 2018 and previously chaired the influential Republican Study Committee, a powerful group of conservative lawmakers dedicated to advancing limited government, lower taxes and traditional Republican priorities.

With Oklahoma remaining one of the nation’s most reliably Republican states, Hern is now heavily favored to win the November election and secure a full six-year term in the Senate.

He has never been shy about his fast-food background — or the nicknames that have followed him throughout his political career.

“People call me the ‘McCongressman’ and trivialize my real-world experience because it’s tied to the golden arches,” Hern wrote in a 2018 Fox News op-ed responding to the rapid political rise of New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who previously worked as a bartender.

“It doesn’t bother me because the McDonald’s franchise program helped me realize my American Dream,” he continued.

Hern even embraced the nickname “Big Mac,” saying he enjoys sharing his “secret sauce” for success with anyone willing to listen.

His supporters argue that decades spent building businesses, creating jobs and serving customers gave him practical experience that is often sorely lacking among Washington’s career politicians.

“Kevin Hern is ready to bring his entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic to the Senate — and, like President Trump, he proudly has McDonald’s on his résumé,” said Bernadette Breslin of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Hern also shares President Donald Trump’s well-known affection for McDonald’s.

Trump has reportedly favored an order consisting of two Big Macs and two Filet-O-Fish sandwiches. During the 2024 presidential campaign, he famously put on an apron and worked the fry station and drive-thru window at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania.

At a McDonald’s Impact Summit last November, Trump called Hern and North Carolina Rep. Chuck Edwards “warriors.” Edwards, who owns six McDonald’s franchises, previously presented Trump with a French Fry Certification Pin.

“I’ve gone there a couple of times,” Trump deadpanned while discussing the restaurant chain.

Hern’s arrival in the Senate would mean both chambers of Congress have lawmakers with extensive experience operating McDonald’s restaurants — and perhaps someone capable of finally cooling down the perpetually overheated atmosphere on Capitol Hill.

Hern has frequently pointed to his restaurant career as proof that he knows how to listen to people and solve problems.

During the chaotic Republican search for a new House speaker following the ouster of California Rep. Kevin McCarthy, Hern briefly launched his own campaign for the gavel.

“People want to be heard, and I spent time listening to people, learning that almost 35 years in the McDonald’s business,” Hern told Fox News at the time. “And people want to be valued in their opinions.”

He even delivered two cheeseburgers to every House Republican as part of his effort to win support.

The burgers were apparently not enough to secure the speakership, but the stunt reinforced Hern’s reputation as the unapologetic “McCongressman.”

Trump formally endorsed Hern’s Senate campaign in March, declaring that the Oklahoma Republican would make an “outstanding” senator and “WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”

The Senate opening was created after Markwayne Mullin left Congress to become Trump’s secretary of Homeland Security in March.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt selected energy executive Alan Armstrong to temporarily fill the remaining months of Mullin’s term. Hern is now seeking to succeed Armstrong and begin a full six-year term after the November election.

He will face whichever Democrat emerges from the party’s runoff, although political handicappers consider the seat safely Republican.

Meanwhile, the contest to replace Hern in the House has already produced drama of its own.

A pastor who advanced to the runoff suspended his campaign last month after becoming embroiled in a sexting scandal involving a former Miss Oklahoma.

For Hern, however, the path ahead appears considerably smoother.

After turning burgers and fries into a multimillion-dollar business empire, the conservative entrepreneur is now preparing to take his customer-first philosophy, pro-business background and Trump-backed agenda from the golden arches to the United States Senate.