# N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas **N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas** (b. 1995) is the 2026 Democratic nominee in Oklahoma's special U.S. Senate election for the seat [[Markwayne Mullin]] vacated to become Secretary of Homeland Security. A nurse, Chickasaw Nation citizen and military spouse from Ardmore with no prior office, she identifies as a democratic socialist — reportedly the first to win a major-party statewide nomination in Oklahoma. She led the June 16 primary with 45.2% and won the August 25 runoff 61.2–38.8 over nonprofit executive Jim Priest, running a social-media campaign on roughly $55,000. She faces [[Kevin Hern]] in November with about $450 on hand; the August CHS poll had Hern 49–25. See [[OK-Sen-2026]].