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United States Senate election in Oklahoma, 2026 (June 16 Democratic primary)

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← 2022
U.S. Senate, Oklahoma
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Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: April 3, 2026
Primary: June 16, 2026
Primary runoff: August 25, 2026
General: November 3, 2026
How to vote
Poll times:

7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Voting in Oklahoma

Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Republican
DDHQ and The Hill: Pending
Inside Elections: Solid Republican
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Republican
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds
U.S. House battlegrounds
Federal and state primary competitiveness
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026
See also
U.S. Senate, Oklahoma
U.S. Senate • 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th
Oklahoma elections, 2026
U.S. Congress elections, 2026
U.S. Senate elections, 2026
U.S. House elections, 2026

A Democratic Party primary takes place on June 16, 2026, in Oklahoma to determine which Democratic candidate will run in the state's general election on November 3, 2026.

Candidate filing deadline Primary election General election
April 3, 2026
June 16, 2026
November 3, 2026


Heading into the election, the incumbent is Markwayne Mullin (Republican), who was first elected in 2022.

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. As of February 2026, both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party were scheduled to hold closed primaries in 2026 and 2027, in which only registered party members could participate.[1][2][3]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

Thirty-three of the 100 U.S. Senate seats are up for election, and another two seats are up for special election. Democrats hold 13 of the seats up for election, and Republicans hold 22. As of January 2026, nine members of the U.S. Senate announced they are not running for re-election. To read more about the U.S. Senate elections taking place this year, click here.

This page focuses on Oklahoma's United States Senate Democratic primary. For more in-depth information on the state's Republican primary and the general election, see the following pages:

Candidates and election results

Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:

  • Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
  • Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Oklahoma

Troy W. Green (D), Rebekah LaVann (D), Jim Priest (D), and N'Kiyla Thomas (D) are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Oklahoma on June 16, 2026.

Candidate
Image of Troy W. Green
Troy W. Green  Candidate Connection
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
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Rebekah LaVann
Image of Jim Priest
Jim Priest  Candidate Connection
Image of N'Kiyla Thomas
N'Kiyla Thomas  Candidate Connection

There are no incumbents in this race.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Troy W. Green

Image of Troy W. Green

WebsiteFacebookXYouTube

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Submitted Biography:  "I’m Troy W. Green. I was raised in foster care and spent parts of my childhood on the streets. Nothing in my early life suggested I would one day be in a position to run for the United States Senate. I didn’t come from wealth, power, or family connections; what I had were my hands, my will, and my word. Those were enough to survive, and eventually, to build a life I’m proud of. I have served my community in various capacities, including as a law enforcement officer and for over 30 years as a bail agent, investigator, martial arts instructor, and advocate for at-risk youth. I’ve worked in courtrooms, jails, neighborhoods, and living rooms, helping people navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives. I’ve seen firsthand what happens when systems fail everyday people, and I’ve also seen what people can accomplish when someone simply stands beside them instead of above them. I earned my bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in English, and am currently in graduate school in Criminal Justice. Education didn’t come easy or early in life; it came when I fought for it. And I bring that same effort to everything I do. I’m a husband, a father, a coach, a mentor, and someone who believes that public service is a responsibility, not a career path. I’m running because I know what it means to struggle, to rebuild, and to rise. I believe our government should reflect the lived experiences of real people, not just those of the wealthy and well-connected."

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

I am not backed by billionaires or corporate lobbyists, I am powered by lived experiences. Oklahoma families deserve leaders who put people before politics. Too many of us live one emergency away from financial ruin, stuck with poor healthcare access, underfunded schools, and wages that don’t keep up with the cost of living. I will fight for affordable healthcare, strong public schools, fair wages, childcare, and real support for parents, especially those raising children with disabilities. I know firsthand what it’s like to struggle and be overlooked, and that’s why I won’t stop until every Oklahoma family has the resources, dignity, and opportunity they deserve.

Teachers, nurses, and working families keep Oklahoma running, but too often they’re undervalued, underpaid, and burned out. I’ve seen it firsthand as a father, small business owner, and advocate. We need leaders who respect and invest in those who serve us daily. I will fight for better pay, safer workplaces, and policies that reduce burnout and lift up our communities. Supporting those on the front lines, educators shaping our children’s future, healthcare workers caring for our loved ones, and working families holding it all together, means building a healthier, stronger, and more prosperous Oklahoma.

To focus on supporting a stable and sustainable economy by strengthening local businesses, expanding workforce development, and improving access to job training and education. My perspective comes from working directly with individuals and families facing financial challenges, as well as small business owners balancing daily operational demands. I emphasize practical approaches that help people secure and maintain employment, encourage entrepreneurship, and reduce barriers that limit economic mobility. My goal is to support an economy where individuals, families, and local communities have the tools they need to succeed.

Jim Priest

Image of Jim Priest

WebsiteFacebookXYouTube

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Submitted Biography:  "Jim Priest is a lawyer, ordained minister, nonprofit leader, and lifelong problem solver who believes public service should be about people, not politics. A Democrat from Oklahoma, Jim is running for the United States Senate to bring practical leadership, ethical judgment, and a servant’s heart to Washington. His theme is "Bringing America Together Again". For more than 40 years, Jim has worked directly with working people, families, and organizations facing real challenges. His career has been defined by listening first, telling the truth, and doing the hard work of finding solutions that actually last."

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

We need people in Washington to solve problems, not create them. A house divided against itself cannot stand and we must end the bickering and finger pointing and work collaboratively to solve the real world problems facing Americans today. It's time to "Bring America Together Again. "

Jim's "FAIR Deal" plan addresses (1) F: Family finances and affordability, Reckless tariffs have harmed the American economy and must stop (2) A: Accessibility to affordable healthcare especially in rural areas and access to other needed services, (3) I: Inspiring Solidarity through restoration of funding for PBS NPR USAID, VISTA, and other inspiring collaborations. We also need to inspire confidence in our government and law enforcement through transparency and accountability, especially ICE, and (4) R: Recovering our place in the international community as the beacon of democracy and a respected and trustworthy ally.

We must restore hope in America and confidence in our government. Voter participation is at an all time low and there is a prevailing sentiment that Washington is not listening and cannot be trusted. We must show the American people that government can serve the greater good and accomplish great things through unity and collaboration. It will not be easy, but neither was sending a man to the moon as President Kennedy challenged us in 1962 and was accomplished in 1969. We chose to go to the moon not because it was easy but because it was hard and demanded the best of us. The same can be said of restoring trust in American government.

N'Kiyla Thomas

Image of N'Kiyla Thomas

WebsiteFacebook

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Submitted Biography:  "I’m N’Kiyla Thomas—a Chickasaw citizen, mother, nurse, and military spouse—running to be a voice for working families, underserved communities, and everyday Oklahomans. I was born and raised in Ardmore, Oklahoma, and I know firsthand the struggles of navigating our healthcare, education, and economic systems while raising a neurodivergent child and supporting a husband serving our country. I’m not a career politician—I’m a woman who’s lived through the broken policies we’re told to accept. I’m running to fight for accessible healthcare, better support for teachers and nurses, real autism services for families, and policies that prioritize people over corporations. My lived experience gives me the courage to challenge the status quo—and the heart to never forget who I’m fighting for."

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

Putting Oklahoma Families First I’m fighting for accessible healthcare, affordable childcare, and support for parents—especially those raising children with disabilities. Our families deserve better, and I won’t stop until they get it.

Real Support for Teachers, Nurses, and Working People As a nurse and a mom, I know burnout is real. I’m committed to better wages, safer workplaces, and policies that help—not hurt—the people who keep our state running.

People Over Politics I’m not backed by billionaires or lobbyists—I’m backed by lived experience. I’m running to challenge the status quo and bring real change to Oklahoma, from rural roads to Capitol Hill.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Oklahoma

Election information in Oklahoma: June 16, 2026, election.

What is the voter registration deadline?

  • In-person: May 22, 2026
  • By mail: Postmarked by May 22, 2026
  • Online: May 22, 2026

Is absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

N/A

What is the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

  • In-person: June 1, 2026
  • By mail: Received by June 1, 2026
  • Online: June 1, 2026

What is the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

  • In-person: June 16, 2026
  • By mail: Received by June 16, 2026

Is early voting available to all voters?

Yes

What are the early voting start and end dates?

June 11, 2026 to June 13, 2026

Are all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, is a photo or non-photo ID required?

N/A

When are polls open on Election Day?

7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (CT)

Campaign finance

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Troy W. Green Democratic Party $10,727 $3,211 $7,516 As of December 31, 2025
Rebekah LaVann Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Jim Priest Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
N'Kiyla Thomas Democratic Party $19,427 $17,729 $2,634 As of December 31, 2025

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.
*** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.

Ballot access

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates in Oklahoma in the 2026 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Oklahoma, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. Senate candidates, 2026
State Office Party Signatures required Filing fee Filing deadline Source
Oklahoma U.S. Senate All candidates 2% of the number of registered voters in the state $2,000.00 4/3/2026 Source

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Oklahoma State Election Board, "Oklahoma's Recognized Political Parties Keep Primaries Closed," December 10, 2025
  2. ↑ Oklahoma State Election Board, "Political Parties, accessed February 5, 2026
  3. ↑ Oklahoma State Courts Network, "Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 1–104," accessed February 5, 2026


Oklahoma's current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators
James Lankford (R)
Markwayne Mullin (R)
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
Tom Cole (R)
District 5
Republican Party (7)


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