Educator Jena Nelson secured the Democratic nomination for Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District, while incumbent members of the state’s congressional delegation cruised to primary victories Tuesday.
Nelson defeated union president Trey Martin with 56.7 percent support (26,872 votes) to 43.3 percent (20,485 votes). Nelson, a former public school teacher who won Oklahoma Teacher of the Year in 2020, launched her campaign nearly a year before Martin entered the race. But the union member gained a national attention-grabbing endorsement from U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
“CD-5’s working families deserve someone who will fight for their best interests in Congress, not the best interests of their billionaire financiers,” Nelson wrote in a statement Tuesday.
Nelson will face incumbent U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK5) and independents Robert P. Henri and Austin Nieves in the Nov. 3 general election. Bice, first elected in 2020, did not draw a primary opponent.
All election results are unofficial until they are certified by the Oklahoma State Election Board.
District 2: Rep. Josh Brecheen sweeps GOP primary
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK2) secured the GOP nomination for Oklahoma’s 2nd Congressional District, gaining 79.2 percent support (65,873 votes) to defeat Will Webb, who received 20.8 percent (17,300 votes).
Brecheen, a fourth-generation rancher first elected in 2022, has pledged to serve a maximum of eight years in Congress. On the Democratic side, Brandon Wade defeated Erik Terwey with 73.7 percent support (20,329 votes) to 26.3 percent support (7,244 votes). Brecheen and Wade will face independent Ronnie Hopkins in November.
District 3: Rep. Frank Lucas wins GOP primary
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK3) defeated Wade Burleson in the GOP primary, with 70.8 percent (55,616 votes) of the vote to 29.2 percent (22,967 votes).
Lucas, a fifth-generation Oklahoman first elected in 1994, chairs the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Research and Biotechnology. Suzie Byrd defeated Jules Roberson for the Democratic nomination 67.4 percent (16,498 votes) to 32.6 percent (7,965 votes). Lucas and Byrd will face off in November.
District 4: Rep. Tom Cole secures GOP nomination
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK4) won the GOP primary with 71.1 percent (52,694 votes) of the vote, defeating Marcie Everhart who received 28.9 percent (21,393 votes).
Cole, first elected in 2002, chairs the powerful House Appropriations Committee. On the Democratic side, Mitchell Jacob secured 54.4 percent (18,228 votes) of the vote, defeating Jeff Pixley who gained 45.6 percent (15,257 votes). Cole and Jacob will face independent Rocco Bonacci in November.
U.S. Senate: Rep. Kevin Hern wins GOP primary, Democrats advance to runoff
U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK1) swept the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate with 69.8 percent (267,110 votes) of the vote, defeating a primary field that included four other candidates. Hern, first elected in 2018, chaired the Republican Study Committee during his time in Congress.
“Kevin Hern is a battle-tested America First warrior,” National Republican Senatorial Committee regional press secretary Nick Puglia wrote in a statement. “As part of President Trump’s Senate Majority, Hern will continue fighting to deliver big wins for Oklahoma families.”
On the Democratic side, N’kiyla Jasmine Thomas and Jim Priest will head to an Aug. 25 runoff election after respectively receiving 45.2 percent (76,271 votes) and 23.9 percent (40,282 votes) of the vote.
Hern and the eventual Democratic nominee will face Libertarian Sevier White and independents Curtis Stinnett and Ron Meinhardt in the general election.
