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What the Week Revealed: Affordability tests party loyalty - Oklahoma Politics Today
Jena Nelson is seen by Democrats as a credible challenger to Rep. Stephanie Bice in Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District (OK-05).
Updated Oct 16, 2026, 2:28 PM ET
Jena Nelson, a Democrat who was Oklahoma Teacher of the Year in 2020, is the Democratic nominee for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district in 2026 against Republican incumbent Stephanie Bice.
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2026 race
Jena Nelson, who was named Oklahoma Teacher of the Year in 2020 and was the Democratic nominee for Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2022, is the Democratic nominee for Oklahoma's 5th congressional district in 2026.
The district is based in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area and is held by Republican Stephanie Bice, who was re-elected in 2024 with 60.7% of the vote. In the Democratic primary Nelson defeated Trey Martin, an ironworker and president of Ironworkers Local 48, by 56.7% to 43.3%.
In the general election on November 3, 2026, Nelson faces Bice along with independent candidates Robert Henri and Austin Nieves.