Democratic socialists notch another win in the Oklahoma Senate primary runoff

Nurse N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas has won the Democratic Senate primary runoff in Oklahoma, NBC News projects, securing another win for the party’s democratic socialist wing.

Thomas, a 31-year-old member of the Chickasaw Nation, defeated attorney and minister Jim Priest, 70, in the contest, despite being drastically outspent. The two advanced to a runoff after neither clinched a majority of the vote in the initial June primary.

Thomas will face GOP Rep. Kevin Hern, who will be heavily favored this fall to win the open seat to replace former Sen. Markwayne Mullin, now the secretary of homeland security. Oklahoma is a solidly Republican state that President Donald Trump won by 34 points in 2024.

Thomas’ primary victory comes as progressive candidates have made inroads across the country this year. Democratic socialists have won a handful of high-profile primaries in recent weeks, including in Florida’s Senate race and a key House battleground in Michigan.

Thomas is “a self-proclaimed democratic socialist,” she told NBC News in an interview Tuesday morning, though she said she is “not yet” a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. She described democratic socialists as “the next generation” that is “looking to change the system.”

Thomas said that she does not support every plank of the DSA platform. A military spouse, Thomas said she does not support defunding the Defense Department. She did voice support for a slew of progressive policies, including Medicare for All, universal childcare and parental leave, and “making sure that everyone pays their fair share.” Thomas said she also favors abolishing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

“The system right now doesn’t work for us and it never has,” said Thomas, noting her pitch to voters is focused on healthcare, as rural areas in the state are struggling with access to quality care.

Asked if she considered herself a capitalist or a socialist, Thomas said, “Capitalism is what’s destroying our country right now,” but she later described capitalism as “inevitable,” saying she supports the concept of people owning their own businesses and property.

Thomas said fellow democratic socialists were finding success in some primaries this year as voters are clamoring for change and “people-first” and “family-first” policies.

“I’m just ready for change and I think everyone else is as well,” she said.

Like some other progressive candidates who have prevailed in primaries this year, Thomas was outspent in the primary by a more moderate opponent.

Priest’s campaign has spent $315,000 so far, while Thomas’ campaign has spent $57,000, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. She is also starting the general election at a massive financial disadvantage: Thomas had just $456 in her campaign account as of Aug. 5, while Hern’s campaign had $2.6 million on hand as of June 30.

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