Progressive bolstered by anti-AIPAC messaging wins Democratic Senate primary in Oklahoma

JTA — Oklahoma nurse and activist N’kiyla Jasmine Thomas, who ran a campaign with anti-AIPAC messaging, defeated centrist Jim Priest in a Democratic Senate primary runoff on Tuesday that marked the latest victory for a progressive politician in a solidly conservative state.

The Associated Press called Tuesday’s race, a sequel to the state’s June primary, less than an hour after polls closed. By the time 80% of votes were tallied, Thomas had accrued 59.9% of the votes to Priest’s 40.1%.

Like many progressives in the current election cycle, she repeatedly vowed during her campaign to reject funds from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the influential pro-Israel lobby.

During a debate this past Saturday, both Thomas and Priest described a “genocide” in Gaza. Priest linked the word to Israel, while Thomas connected it to the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

She emphasized that “we can be for our Jewish brothers and sisters, and we can be against Netanyahu and what he is doing.”

“He is committing genocide. He is absolutely murdering children,” Thomas said at the debate. “We have to stop providing funding for these wars.”

Although AIPAC did not participate in the race, Thomas posted a social media reel in November that showed her pulling a giant red trash bin labeled “AIPAC Funds” and “Corporate PAC Funds.” A caption read “Just taking out the trash.”

“I am a sole grassroots candidate,” she said in the video. “And we are not accepting AIPAC or corporate PAC funds. It’s garbage.”

Asked about her rhetoric on AIPAC, Thomas told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in a written statement that her “concerns [with AIPAC] have NEVER been about Jewish people, Judaism, or Israel’s existence,” adding that she instead prioritizes human rights, civilian lives and the accountability of all governments.

“When I discuss political influence or organizations, my focus is on the broader role of money, lobbying, and special interests in our political system, not on any one religion or community,” she added.

She expressed her commitment to a two-state solution, adding that “both Israelis and Palestinians deserve the opportunity to live in peace, security and self-determination.”

In their previous matchup in June, a five-candidate race, neither candidate had earned the majority required to secure a win. Thomas earned 45% of votes while Priest, who is a lawyer and ordained minister, accrued 24%.

Heading into Tuesday’s runoff, it was already clear that both Thomas and Priest would be long shots this November in a state that hasn’t sent a Democrat to the Senate in more than three decades. The Republican opponent, Rep. Kevin Hern, swept his primary and has the endorsement of US President Donald Trump.

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N'Kiyla Thomas and Jim Priest will advance to a runoff for the Democratic nomination for Oklahoma senator, as neither will reach 50% of the vote. The runoff will be on August 25. pic.twitter.com/PAAFITri92

— US Poll Watch (@USPollingWatch) June 17, 2026

But Thomas’s win served as yet another litmus test of the potency of progressivism in a deep-red state, just a week after democratic socialist Angie Nixon secured a surprise win against a moderate candidate in Florida’s Democratic Senate primary. Thomas, unlike Nixon, is not a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, but she has openly identified with socialist policies.

The 31-year-old is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation who says she represents “the next generation of leaders.” Among her priorities are women’s health and safety, civil rights and LGBTQ protections.