Who's running in Oklahoma's 5th congressional district
4 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
4 candidates · ballot order · Stephanie Bice currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Supporting President Trump's agenda, including the 2025 reconciliation law.
Removing ineligible people from Medicaid and other programmes to 'shore up' them.
Tariffs as a tool to 'level the playing field' in trade negotiations.
Promoting the Rural Health Transformation Program.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Oklahoma's 5th District since January 2021; defeated Democratic Rep. Kendra Horn in 2020 and was reelected in 2022 and 2024 (60.7%).
Oklahoma state senator, District 22, for six years.
Voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed the House 215–214.
Endorsed by President Trump and Maggie's List, per Wikipedia.
Unopposed in the 2026 Republican primary.
On KFOR's Flashpoint she said a proposed $1.8 billion fund to compensate people prosecuted after January 6 was not necessary, but that there were 'other ways' to compensate those who had issues with how they were charged, per The Oklahoma Columnist.
Arguments in favor
'When we made those changes in the big beautiful bill, what we were doing is actually shoring up programs, because there are people that are on the programs that shouldn't be.' On tariffs: 'President Trump is actually trying to level the playing field.'
— Stephanie Bice, on KFOR's Flashpoint, as quoted in The Oklahoma Columnist
Arguments against
She voted to cut more than $1 trillion in health care spending in the 2025 law — which the Oklahoma Hospital Association estimates will cost the district $3.2 billion — and 'hasn't had a single in-person town hall since August 25, 2021.'
Passing a reconciliation bill to restore health funding cut by the 2025 law; monopoly-busting measures against health insurers.
Opposing cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
Raising the minimum wage (supports State Question 832) and anti-price-gouging laws.
Keeping and reconstituting the US Department of Education; ending high-stakes standardised testing; respecting and investing in teachers.
'Restoring good government' and regular in-person town halls.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Public school teacher for more than 16 years; 2020 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year.
Democratic nominee for Oklahoma superintendent of public instruction in 2022 (about 43%).
Former executive director of the Oklahoma Faith Network.
Won the June 16, 2026 Democratic primary with 56.7%.
Has held dozens of town halls and forums, per her campaign; proposed four issue debates with Bice.
Arguments in favor
The Oklahoma Retired Educators Association endorsed her; Nelson says in Congress teachers will 'have a strong ally' and that she is running because leaders 'like my opponent Stephanie Bice [are] constantly kowtowing to Trump and throwing Oklahoma's middle class under the bus.'
— Oklahoma Retired Educators Association endorsement and Jena Nelson's statements, reported by Gaylord News
Arguments against
In the 2022 superintendent race he attacked her as holding 'a radical position' that sexually explicit books such as Gender Queer should be in school libraries, and said she was 'not worried' about racist concepts being taught; Nelson responded that she supports developmentally appropriate books and due process.
— Ryan Walters, her Republican opponent in the 2022 state superintendent race, in a televised debate reported by NonDoc (2022)
What we couldn’t verify
No 2026 criticism of Nelson by Bice's campaign or the Oklahoma Republican Party could be found; the criticism above comes from her 2022 statewide race.
Her fundraising was not confirmed from a primary source.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
November 3, 2026 is Oklahoma's general election, decided by plurality with no general-election runoff. Party primaries were held June 16, 2026, with primary runoffs on August 25 for races where no candidate won a majority. Write-in voting is not permitted in Oklahoma, so there are no write-in candidates. The congressional map did not change for 2026: the districts enacted in November 2021 (HB 1002) remain in use, and no 2026 redraw or pending congressional map litigation was found. Four candidates are on the general election ballot: Republican incumbent Stephanie Bice, Democrat Jena Nelson, and independents Robert P. Henri and Austin Nieves. Bice had no primary opponent; Nelson beat Iron Workers Local 48 president Trey Martin, who was endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, with 56.7% in the June 16 Democratic primary. The district covers most of Oklahoma City and nearby communities including Edmond and Piedmont, extending into Logan, Lincoln, Pottawatomie and Seminole counties. Bice won with 60.7% in 2024. As of August, Bice had not agreed to Nelson's proposal of four issue debates.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Oklahoma ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Oklahoma State Election Board.