{ "id": "epsbgkhv20", "slug": "nkiyla-jasmine-thomas", "title": "N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas", "updated": "2026-10-15", "topic_path": [ { "id": "society", "label": "Society and history", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society" }, { "id": "society.politics", "label": "Politics and government", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions", "label": "Government and public administration", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders", "label": "Politicians and government officeholders (biographies)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates", "label": "US candidates for federal and statewide office", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates.senate-candidates", "label": "Candidates for the US Senate", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates.senate-candidates" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates", "label": "United States · 2021 and later: US candidates for federal and statewide office", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates", "path": [ { "id": "geo.us", "label": "United States", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021", "label": "United States · 2021 and later", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.society", "label": "Society and history", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.society.politics", "label": "Politics and government", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions", "label": "Government and public administration", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders", "label": "Politicians and government officeholders (biographies)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates", "label": "US candidates for federal and statewide office", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates" } ] } ], "excerpt": "N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas is an American politician, nurse, and Chickasaw Nation citizen who is the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Oklahoma in 2026, facing Republican Kevin Hern in November.", "snippet": "N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas is an American politician, nurse, and Chickasaw Nation citizen who is the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Oklahoma in 2026, facing Republican Kevin Hern in November.", "node": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-candidates.senate-candidates", "markdown": "# N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas\n\nN'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas is an American politician and the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Oklahoma in 2026. A nurse, Chickasaw Nation citizen, and active-duty military spouse, she won the Democratic nomination in an August 2026 runoff against attorney Jim Priest.[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas-wins-oklahoma-senate-primary-democrat-rcna593618) She will face Republican nominee Kevin Hern in the November general election.[2](https://www.newson6.com/oklahoma-politics/democratic-runoff-oklahoma-us-senate-results)\n\n| Fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Party | Democratic[2](https://www.newson6.com/oklahoma-politics/democratic-runoff-oklahoma-us-senate-results) |\n| Current office | 2026 Democratic nominee, U.S. Senate, Oklahoma[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas-wins-oklahoma-senate-primary-democrat-rcna593618) |\n| Born | Ardmore, Oklahoma (raised)[3](https://www.jasmineforok.com/about) |\n| Education | Nurse[3](https://www.jasmineforok.com/about) |\n\n## Party affiliation\n\nThomas is a Democrat and filed as a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Oklahoma in 2026.[2](https://www.newson6.com/oklahoma-politics/democratic-runoff-oklahoma-us-senate-results) [NBC News](https://www.edgepedia.org/nbc-news) described her as a democratic socialist; in an interview with the network, she called herself \"a self-proclaimed democratic socialist\" but said she was \"not yet\" a member of the [Democratic Socialists of America](https://www.edgepedia.org/democratic-socialists-of-america).[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas-wins-oklahoma-senate-primary-democrat-rcna593618)\n\n## Early life and education\n\nThomas was born and raised in Ardmore, Oklahoma.[3](https://www.jasmineforok.com/about) She is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and works as a nurse.[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas-wins-oklahoma-senate-primary-democrat-rcna593618) She is an active-duty military spouse; she and her husband Patrick have been married for ten years and have two children, a son, Treycen, who was diagnosed with level 2 autism at age two, and a daughter, Adeya.[3](https://www.jasmineforok.com/about) According to her campaign website, her experience navigating special education and therapy for her son shaped her views on families' access to healthcare and educational resources.[3](https://www.jasmineforok.com/about)\n\n## Career\n\nThomas has worked in healthcare, advocacy, and community service.[3](https://www.jasmineforok.com/about) In 2026 she filed as a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat from Oklahoma with the [Federal Election Commission](https://www.edgepedia.org/federal-election-commission).[4](https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/S6OK04163/) She finished the June 2026 Democratic primary without a majority and advanced to a runoff against attorney and minister Jim Priest, whom she defeated to win the nomination.[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas-wins-oklahoma-senate-primary-democrat-rcna593618) The Associated Press projected her as the runoff winner.[2](https://www.newson6.com/oklahoma-politics/democratic-runoff-oklahoma-us-senate-results)\n\n## Electoral history\n\n- **2026 Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Oklahoma:** Neither Thomas nor Jim Priest won a majority in the initial June primary, sending the race to a runoff on August 25, 2026.[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas-wins-oklahoma-senate-primary-democrat-rcna593618) Thomas won the runoff, defeating Priest.[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas-wins-oklahoma-senate-primary-democrat-rcna593618)\n- **2026 general election for U.S. Senate, Oklahoma:** Thomas will face Republican nominee Kevin Hern in November.[2](https://www.newson6.com/oklahoma-politics/democratic-runoff-oklahoma-us-senate-results)\n\n## Issues specific to Thomas\n\nThomas's primary victory came as candidates identified with the democratic socialist wing of the Democratic Party won several primaries across the country in 2026, including in Florida's Senate race and a House race in Michigan.[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas-wins-oklahoma-senate-primary-democrat-rcna593618) She was heavily outspent in the primary: NBC News reported that Priest's campaign had spent $315,000 to Thomas's $57,000, according to Federal Election Commission filings.[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas-wins-oklahoma-senate-primary-democrat-rcna593618) Asked about her ideology, Thomas told NBC News, \"Capitalism is what's destroying our country right now,\" while also describing capitalism as \"inevitable\" and saying she supports people owning their own businesses and property.[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas-wins-oklahoma-senate-primary-democrat-rcna593618) She said democratic socialists were finding success in 2026 primaries as voters sought \"people-first\" and \"family-first\" policies, and said, \"I'm just ready for change and I think everyone else is as well.\"[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas-wins-oklahoma-senate-primary-democrat-rcna593618) Her campaign website describes her as representing \"the next generation of leadership, one that puts people over profit, community over corporations, and truth over politics.\"[3](https://www.jasmineforok.com/about)\n\n## Positions and voting record\n\n### Healthcare\n\nThomas's pitch to voters is focused on healthcare, and she has noted that rural areas of Oklahoma struggle with access to quality care.[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas-wins-oklahoma-senate-primary-democrat-rcna593618) She supports Medicare for All.[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas-wins-oklahoma-senate-primary-democrat-rcna593618) Her campaign website says her priorities for Oklahoma include protecting women's healthcare rights and addressing the nursing shortage.[2](https://www.newson6.com/oklahoma-politics/democratic-runoff-oklahoma-us-senate-results)\n\n### Economic policy\n\nThomas voiced support for \"making sure that everyone pays their fair share,\" along with universal childcare and parental leave.[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas-wins-oklahoma-senate-primary-democrat-rcna593618)\n\n### Immigration\n\nThomas said she favors abolishing the [Immigration](https://www.edgepedia.org/immigration) and Customs Enforcement agency.[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas-wins-oklahoma-senate-primary-democrat-rcna593618)\n\n### Defense\n\nThomas, a military spouse, said she does not support defunding the Defense Department.[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas-wins-oklahoma-senate-primary-democrat-rcna593618) She told NBC News that she does not support every plank of the Democratic Socialists of America platform.[1](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas-wins-oklahoma-senate-primary-democrat-rcna593618)\n\n### Infrastructure and agriculture\n\nAccording to her campaign website, Thomas says her priorities for Oklahoma include fixing the state's roads and bridges and supporting farmers and ranchers.[2](https://www.newson6.com/oklahoma-politics/democratic-runoff-oklahoma-us-senate-results)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Democratic socialist N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas wins Oklahoma Senate Democratic primary](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas-wins-oklahoma-senate-primary-democrat-rcna593618)\n2. [N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas wins Democratic runoff for U.S. Senate seat; faces Kevin Hern in Nov., AP projects](https://www.newson6.com/oklahoma-politics/democratic-runoff-oklahoma-us-senate-results)\n3. [About N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas — Jasmine Thomas for Oklahoma](https://www.jasmineforok.com/about)\n4. [FEC candidate filing, N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas](https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/S6OK04163/)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › Politics and government › Government and public administration › Politicians and government officeholders (biographies) › US candidates for federal and statewide office › Candidates for the US Senate*\n\n*Initially written Sep 27, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 29, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026 · Last review: Sep 29, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas](https://www.edgepedia.org/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas](https://www.edgepedia.org/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/nkiyla-jasmine-thomas. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas is an American politician, nurse, and Chickasaw Nation citizen who is the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Oklahoma in 2026, facing Republican Kevin Hern in November." }