OKLAHOMA CITY — Jena Nelson, a Democrat and former state superintendent candidate, has announced her candidacy for Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District, challenging Republican U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice in the 2026 election.
Bice, first elected in 2020, has closely aligned with former President Donald Trump, voting in favor of nearly all legislation backed by him, according to congressional vote-tracking services.
Nelson’s campaign news release lists her top priorities as: “restoring good government,” “strengthening the middle class” and “protecting Social Security and Medicare.”
Oklahoma’s 5th District includes parts of the northern Oklahoma City metro area, including Piedmont and Edmond, and extends north to Guthrie and southeast to Shawnee and Seminole.
Experienced campaigner
An award-winning public school teacher, Nelson previously ran for state superintendent of public instruction in 2024, earning 43.2% of the vote against Republican Ryan Walters, who won with 56.8%, according to official results.
Even with Oklahoma’s straight-party voting system, which allows voters to select all candidates from a single party with one mark, Nelson garnered significant support in a state that has heavily favored Republicans in recent elections.
In the 2024 election, about 38% of all voters—and 69% of Republican voters—used straight-party voting, according to state election data.
Bice’s record
Bice served six years in the Oklahoma Senate, representing District 22, which includes parts of west Edmond, Piedmont, and Canadian County.
She defeated then-incumbent Democrat Kendra Horn in 2020 to win the congressional seat, and was reelected in 2022 and 2024, defeating Democrats Joshua Harris-Till and Madison Horn, respectively, under the district’s current boundaries.
In 2025, Bice supported legislation endorsed by Trump, including a tax and spending measure nicknamed the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” by its sponsors. The bill passed the U.S. House by a vote of 215-214.
Founder, publisher, and editor of Oklahoma City Free Press. Brett continues to contribute reports and photography to this site as he runs the business.
