Longtime Oklahoma attorney and minister Jim Priest has entered the race for the U.S. Senate, seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Oklahoma’s junior senator, Markwayne Mullin, in November.
Priest said his decision came after months of reflection and conversations with his family, driven by concerns about the country’s direction and the tone of modern politics.
“I think a lot of people feel the way I do, that the country is heading in a direction that we’re not comfortable with,” Priest said. “There should be a combination of justice and mercy and humility.”
Faith and motivation
Priest cited his faith as a guiding influence, referencing Micah 6:8 as a framework for public service. He said he felt compelled to do more than write opinion pieces or criticize from the sidelines.
“I debated this internally for a long time,” he said. “I think there was a need for me to do something more than write editorials in the newspaper.”
Focus on trust and listening
Priest said his campaign will emphasize listening to voters and rebuilding trust across political and ideological divides.
“My goal is to tell people my story, to let them get to know me, to listen well to them,” he said. “If we do those things, we can bring America together again and begin solving problems and not pointing fingers.”
Addressing today’s polarized media environment, Priest said both the press and the public play a role in how political information is consumed.
“If you get into doomscrolling and you’re looking at either traditional media or in your echo chamber, listening to just views that are yours, it’s going to be a downward spiral for us as a country,” he said.
Drawing on his experience as a mediator, Priest said political progress begins by identifying shared values.
“Let’s agree on what we agree on,” he said. “There are so many things that unite us as opposed to what divides us.”
Family and working-class priorities
Priest said family and working-class concerns are central to his platform, pointing to rising costs for housing, insurance and childcare. He said political leaders often talk about family values without enacting policies that strengthen families.
“If I’m a success out in the world but I’m a failure at home, I’ll be a failure,” Priest said. “But if I’m a success at home, even if I fail in the world, I’ll have been a success.”
He said government should support families without unnecessary intrusion, citing workforce development and childcare access as areas where policy changes could make a difference.
“We want the politicians and the government to help support us, but not intrude on us,” Priest said.
Oklahoma politics and what’s next
Priest also addressed skepticism toward Democrats in Oklahoma, saying many voters hold assumptions about the party that don’t reflect reality.
“Democrats can be people of faith,” he said. “They focus on the working class… We aree not the wild-eyed, left-wing liberals that we’re painted as.”
If he wins the Democratic nomination, Priest said he would welcome debates with Mullin focused on policy solutions.
“I think that’s a good environment in which to flesh out positions,” Priest said.
For now, Priest said his priority is meeting voters face to face.
“If you don’t know a person, it’s difficult to trust them,” he said. “Job one is to let people know I’m a trustworthy person. I’m a person with values and ethics, a person of faith… I want to work with others with different perspectives to bring America together again.”