The Democratic Party\u2019s progressive insurgency notched another victory this week, this time in deep-red Oklahoma.<\/p>\n
Self-described democratic socialist N\u2019Kiyla Jasmine Thomas overwhelmingly defeated an establishment-backed opponent to capture the party\u2019s U.S. Senate nomination.<\/p>\n
Thomas, a 31-year-old nurse and political newcomer from Ardmore, defeated attorney and minister Jim Priest in Oklahoma\u2019s Democratic Senate runoff, securing approximately 61.2% of the vote to Priest\u2019s 38.8% with nearly all ballots counted.<\/p>\n
The victory puts Thomas on the November ballot against Republican Rep. Kevin Hern.<\/p>\n
It provides another example of Democratic primary voters rejecting more traditional candidates in favor of contenders running openly on progressive economic and social policies.<\/p>\n
Thomas and Priest advanced to Tuesday\u2019s runoff after neither candidate received the majority necessary to win the five-way June primary outright.<\/p>\n
Thomas nevertheless entered the runoff from a position of strength, having captured 45.2% in June compared with Priest\u2019s 23.9%.<\/p>\n
Her victory came despite a dramatic financial disadvantage.<\/p>\n
Thomas reportedly raised roughly $57,000 for her primary campaign and relied heavily on grassroots organizing and social media.<\/p>\n
Priest spent approximately $315,000 and enjoyed backing from prominent Oklahoma Democrats, including former Govs. Brad Henry and David Walters and former state Attorney General Drew Edmondson.<\/p>\n
Thomas has openly embraced the democratic socialist label, although she has said she is \u201cnot yet\u201d a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.<\/p>\n
She previously described democratic socialists as \u201cthe next generation\u201d of political leaders seeking to \u201cchange the system.\u201d She has also claimed that most socialist countries are \u201cthriving.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her policy platform puts her firmly on the Democratic Party\u2019s progressive flank.<\/p>\n
Thomas supports Medicare for All, universal child care and paid parental leave while calling for policies ensuring that \u201ceveryone pays their fair share.\u201d<\/p>\n
She has also advocated abolishing or fundamentally restructuring Immigration and Customs Enforcement, freezing further expansion of ICE funding and ending qualified immunity for agents in cases involving civil-rights violations.<\/p>\n
On abortion, Thomas supports restoring the protections established under Roe v. Wade.<\/p>\n
She also favors expanding LGBT protections, opposes state restrictions on transgender students participating in sports and supports uncapping the number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
Perhaps her most politically explosive position concerns President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n
Thomas said during a July interview that, if elected, she would make removing Trump one of her immediate priorities.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will make sure that I work as diligently as I can to make sure that within my first 100 days that we impeach, remove and convict President Trump.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nNurse N\u2019Kiyla Jasmine Thomas has won the Democratic Senate primary runoff in Oklahoma, NBC News projects, securing another win for the party\u2019s democratic socialist wing.\u00a0https:\/\/t.co\/9fd94d5cfV<\/a><\/p>\n