Democratic socialists score another victory in Oklahoma Democratic Senate primary runoff

Nurse N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas has won the Democratic Senate primary runoff in Oklahoma, NBC News projects. 

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

Thomas said she disagrees with some positions of the DSA platform, including defunding the Defense Department, but she does support Medicare for all, universal childcare and parental leave, and abolishing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. 

Thomas, 31, is a member of the Chicksaw Nation. She defeated attorney and minister Jim Priest, 70, even though Priest drastically outspent her. 

Since neither candidate received a majority of the vote in the June primary, both candidates advanced to a runoff Tuesday. Thomas will face Republican Rep. Kevin Hern in the November general election. Hern is heavily favored to win the open seat to replace former Sen. Markwayne Mullin, now the secretary of homeland security.

Oklahoma is a solidly red state that President Donald Trump won by 34 points in 2024.