N’kiyla Jasmine Thomas wins Oklahoma Democratic Senate primary runoff

N’kiyla Jasmine Thomas, a nurse and member of the Chickasaw Nation, has won the Democratic primary runoff for the U.S. Senate in Oklahoma. Thomas defeated centrist candidate Jim Priest, securing approximately 59.9% of the vote.

Thomas, a self-described progressive and democratic socialist, ran a grassroots campaign that focused on issues such as healthcare access, teacher pay, and the restoration of Roe v. Wade. Her campaign also featured strong anti-AIPAC messaging, with Thomas stating her focus is on the role of money and lobbying in the political system rather than any specific religion or community.

In the general election this November, Thomas will face Republican Representative Kevin Hern to fill the seat vacated by Markwayne Mullin. Thomas enters the general election at a significant financial disadvantage; reports indicate her campaign had $456 on hand as of early August, while Hern’s campaign held $2.6 million as of late June. Oklahoma is a heavily conservative state that has not elected a Democrat to the Senate in over three decades.