Jena Nelson

Jena Nelson earned a high school diploma from Broken Bow High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from the Northwestern State University of Louisiana in 2001. Her career experience includes working as a teacher and business owner.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Jena Nelson is a nonprofit development professional, corporate leadership developer, and small business owner who most recently served as acting Executive Director and Director of Programs for the Oklahoma Faith Network. She has been happily married to her husband Karl, a university professor and church choir director, for 21 years. They are proud parents of two children, and also raise chickens, ducks, and bees.

Prior to her work in the nonprofit and corporate realms, Jena was an educator for more than 16 years, winning Oklahoma Teacher of the Year in 2020. She helped her students earn over $4 million in scholarships. Mrs. Nelson was selected to direct at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland and as a presenter at the International Music Festival in Campina Grande Brazil. Also in 2020, she was asked by Congresswoman Kendra Horn to attend the State of the Union Address in Washington D.C.

In 2022, Jena ran for State Superintendent of Public Instruction and earned more statewide votes than any other Democrat. She has addressed the National Academy for Science, Engineering, and Medicine, Oklahoma Music Educators Association Conference, and was presented the Award for Teaching Excellence.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

These programs are lifelines for vulnerable Americans—we must protect and strengthen them. These programs keep families afloat—we can’t afford to lose them. I will fight to restore the cuts to Affordable Care Act subsidies, and expand Medicare’s power to negotiate prescription medication prices (as started under the Inflation Reduction Act).Congress must cut the cost of living. While everyday working families struggle, the billionaires are getting richer. We need to crack down on corporate greed with stronger antitrust enforcement, windfall profit taxes, and penalties for food and fuel price manipulation.It’s essential to stand up for those who stood up for America: Veterans. Trump wants to slash Veterans’ medical care by gutting the VA system. This would result in fewer hospitals, longer wait time and lower standards of care. Plus, his plan would dismantle a crisis helpline for veterans experiencing mental health crises putting those who have served our country at great risk. This is not OK. Congress must uphold the promises made to those who fought for America. I’ll fight to improve healthcare for our bravest men and women.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My core beliefs are that Oklahomans are supposed to love our neighbors and take care of those in need. Donald Trump and his MAGA minions in Congress are taking a sledgehammer to the institutions that made this nation great. I’m not going to allow that to happen – not without a fight.

Trump’s so-called “big billionaire bill” will be devastating. We don’t cut off Oklahomans to prop up billionaires. The new law is now forcing massive cuts to programs benefiting our veterans, including crisis hotlines and mental health care.

Oklahoma’s elected officials are not behaving like responsible adults. Our kids and grandkids don’t deserve to be saddled with this crushing debt.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Former OK Governor and DNC Committeeman David Walters

OK DNC Committeewoman Kalyn Free

OK State Senator Mark Mann

IBEW

OK AFT

OK AFL-CIO

Her Bold Move

Jena Nelson did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.