Oklahoma Democratic Senate Nominee Runoff

Today marks an important day for Oklahoma Democrats as they decide their U.S. Senate nominee. Voters are choosing between political newcomers N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas and Jim Priest. Thomas, a nurse, and Priest, an attorney, emerged as the top contenders from a five-way Democratic primary held in June.

In the primary election, Thomas led with slightly over 45 percent of the votes. However, she did not achieve the majority necessary to avoid a runoff. Priest garnered just under 24 percent of the total votes.

The winner of today’s runoff will advance to face Representative Kevin Hern, a Republican, in the upcoming November election.

Voting takes place today beginning at 2:00 p.m. EDT, a crucial moment as Oklahoma Democrats make their decisions at polling locations like the one captured in a photo from an Oklahoma City polling site in June.