Inhofe will retire next year

Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), the ranking Republican and former chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced today he will retire next January.

“It is bittersweet, but with a clear heart, that Kay and I announce that at the end of the year, I will retire from the United States Senate,” Inhofe said, referencing his wife.

Inhofe, 87, was first elected to the Senate in 1994, coming from the House where he had served since 1987. His retirement will come as he has four years left in his Senate term, necessitating a special election in his home state.

In an interview with The Oklahoman, Inhfofe endorsed his chief of staff, Luke Holland, to serve the remainder of his Senate term, which ends in 2026.

Inhofe’s retirement is sure to shake up the Senate Armed Services Committee, where the second-ranking Republican is Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), who could become chair of the panel if Republicans win a majority this November.

“Today’s announcement is not the end of the road,” Inhofe said, noting he will continue to work on the upcoming fiscal year 2023 defense authorization bill.