Oklahoma Attorney General Pruitt Files to Run for Inhofe’s Senate Seat

Scott Pruitt, the previous head of the Environmental Protection Company (EPA) for the duration of the administration of ex-President Donald Trump, has filed to operate in Oklahoma’s distinctive election to replace retiring GOP Senator James Inhofe.

Pruitt, a Republican who also served as Oklahoma’s Lawyer Normal from 2011 to 2017, resigned as EPA chief in July 2018 amid scandals involving alleged corruption, nepotism and unprofessional habits. On Friday, Pruitt officially filed as a candidate to switch Inhofe, who announced in February that he would be retiring at the conclude of the calendar year.

Other Republican candidates vying for the seat consist of U.S. Agent Markwayne Mullin, state Senator Nathan Dahm, former Oklahoma Residence Speaker T.W. Shannon and previous U.S. National Safety Council Chief of Staff members Alex Grey. At the time of his retirement announcement, Inhofe endorsed his previous chief of team, Luke Holland.

Pruitt is a rather late entry to the race, with major elections set to get location on June 28. Considering the fact that Oklahoma votes intensely Republican, most count on the GOP nominee to grow to be Inhofe’s eventual alternative. The only present Democratic applicant is Kendra Horn, a previous Oklahoma U.S. Representative.

Trump’s option to appoint Pruitt to direct the EPA was noteworthy and controversial due to his rejection of the scientific consensus on climate modify. For the duration of his time in business office, Pruitt was despatched numerous copies of Worldwide Warming for Dummies and weather denial texts, according to information and facts attained by a transparency business.

Pruitt’s management of the agency was also criticized due to a series of rollbacks of Obama-era climate and anti-air pollution guidelines. On the other hand, a wave of scandals that Pruitt explained as “unrelenting attacks on me individually” in the long run led him to submit a resignation letter to Trump, who approved it with a statement praising Pruitt for acquiring performed “an exceptional occupation.”

Many ethics investigations were released during Pruitt’s time foremost the agency. Among the his scandals have been allegations that he used his situation to try out to land his spouse a high-paying out career, inappropriately put in the agency’s funds on his individual profit and borrowed cash from employees that he hardly ever paid again.

In what could possibly have been his major scandal, Pruitt allegedly rented a luxurious Washington, D.C., condo from an electrical power lobbyist at a amount of $50 per night time, much lower than industry price.

Pruitt told the Affiliated Press on Friday that he “led with conviction in Washington, D.C.” while at the EPA, and insisted that he had been specific for criticism because the company was the “Holy Grail of the American remaining.”

“And I produced a change in the confront of that,” reported Pruitt. “I imagine Oklahomans know when The New York Periods and CNN and MSNBC and those people destinations are versus you, Oklahomans are for you.”

Newsweek achieved out to the Oklahoma Republican Celebration for comment.