N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas wins Democratic Senate primary runoff in Oklahoma

N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas has won the Democratic Senate primary runoff in Oklahoma, according to projections from NBC News. Thomas, a 31-year-old nurse and member of the Chickasaw Nation, defeated attorney Jim Priest, 70, despite being significantly outspent. Both candidates advanced to the runoff after neither secured a majority in the initial June primary. Thomas will face Republican Representative Kevin Hern in the general election, who is favored to win the open seat left by former Senator Markwayne Mullin, now the secretary of homeland security. Oklahoma is considered a solidly Republican state, having been won by President Donald Trump by 34 points in the 2024 election. Thomas's victory aligns with a trend of progressive candidates gaining traction in various primaries across the country this year. In an interview, Thomas identified as a self-proclaimed democratic socialist but noted that she is not yet a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. She expressed support for several progressive policies, including Medicare for All and universal childcare, while opposing the defunding of the Defense Department. Thomas emphasized her focus on healthcare access for rural areas in Oklahoma, stating, "The system right now doesn’t work for us and it never has." Despite her primary win, Thomas faces a significant financial disadvantage in the upcoming general election, with only $456 in her campaign account compared to Hern's $2.6 million.