OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — With the Nov. 3 election just over a week away, the race for the congressional seat covering much of Oklahoma City, Okla., is drawing late attention from Democrats who think they have a shot.
Republican U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice, 52, is seeking another term in Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District against Democrat Jena Nelson, 48, a former teacher. Two independents, Robert Henri and Austin Nieves, are also on the ballot. Besides the north side of the metro, the district stretches east into Lincoln, Pottawatomie and Seminole counties.
Democrats stepped up their effort after an internal poll showed a close contest. The two candidates have not met for a debate, and Nelson has repeatedly challenged Bice to share a stage with her. Bice has run a low-key campaign without public town halls.
Bice first won the seat in 2020, unseating Democrat Kendra Horn, and has been reelected twice. After the 2024 redistricting, the district became friendlier to Republicans, with Donald Trump’s 2024 share rising from 51% under the old lines to 57% under the new ones.
Bice is campaigning on border security, Second Amendment rights, lower federal spending and American energy, and her ads point to her support for paid family medical leave, tax cuts, and eliminating federal taxes on overtime, tips and Social Security benefits. Nelson is running on protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, a fair immigration system and lowering costs. She was the Democratic nominee for state superintendent in 2022.
Nelson won her party’s nomination by beating Trey Martin in the June 16 primary. Bice had no Republican primary opponent, so that contest was canceled.
Section: More Oklahoma City OK politics news
Filed under: Oklahoma City OK Politics News
