OKLAHOMA CITY (Diya TV)— N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas won the Democratic Senate primary runoff in Oklahoma. The victory gives the party’s democratic socialist wing another notable win ahead of the 2026 election.

Thomas, 31, defeated Jim Priest, a 70-year-old attorney and minister. The two candidates advanced to the runoff after neither won a majority in the June Democratic primary.

Thomas now faces Republican Rep. Kevin Hern in the general election. Hern has a strong advantage in the race for Oklahoma’s open Senate seat. Former Sen. Markwayne Mullin left the seat after becoming Secretary of Homeland Security.

Thomas is a member of the Chickasaw Nation and works as a nurse. Her campaign focused heavily on health care and the needs of rural communities.

She described herself as a democratic socialist during an interview with NBC News. However, she said she has not joined the Democratic Socialists of America, or DSA.

Thomas said she sees democratic socialists as a new generation seeking major changes in government. At the same time, she does not support every part of the DSA platform.

For example, Thomas said she does not support cutting funding for the Defense Department. She made that position clear because she is a military spouse.

Still, she supports several progressive policies. Her priorities include Medicare for All, universal child care, and paid parental leave. She also supports efforts to ensure that wealthy Americans pay their fair share of taxes.

In addition, Thomas supports abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement, commonly known as ICE.

Health care played a central role in Thomas’ campaign. She argued that many rural Oklahoma communities struggle to access quality medical care.

“The system right now doesn’t work for us, and it never has,” Thomas said.

She also said voters want policies that put families and working people first. Moreover, she believes voters are increasingly open to candidates who promise major political change.

Thomas criticized the economic system but also called capitalism inevitable. She said she supports the right of people to own businesses and property.

Progressive and democratic socialist candidates have recently won several high-profile primary contests across the country.

Those victories include a Democratic Senate primary in Florida and a competitive House primary in Michigan. As a result, progressive candidates have gained more attention heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

Oklahoma remains one of the Republican Party’s strongest states. President Donald Trump won the state by 34 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.

According to Federal Election Commission reports, Priest’s campaign spent about $315,000 during the primary. Thomas’ campaign spent about $57,000.

Thomas had only $456 in her campaign account as of Aug. 5. Meanwhile, Hern reported $2.6 million in cash on hand as of June 30.

For now, her primary victory gives Oklahoma Democrats a candidate who represents the party’s progressive wing.