Jim Priest

Jim Priest earned a bachelor's degree in history and speech from Houghton College in 1977 and a law degree, magna cum laude, from Syracuse University Law School in 1980. His career experience includes working as an attorney and director at an Oklahoma City-based private firm, McKinney & Stringer, focusing on employment law and civil rights litigation in addition to general civil litigation. He helped found and lead the employment services division of the firm, acting as both an attorney and a supervisor. In 2005, Priest joined another Oklahoma City-based law practice, Whitten, Burrage, Priest, Fulmer, Anderson & Eisel, where he focused on employment law and civil rights litigation. Priest has served in the leadership of nonprofit organizations, including Fighting Addiction Through Education (FATE), Sunbeam Family Services, and Goodwill Central Oklahoma, where he has served as CEO. Priest has been recognized as a "Most Admired CEO" by the Journal Record Newspaper and "Top 10 Inspiring Leader" by IE Magazine.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Jim Priest is a lawyer, ordained minister, nonprofit leader, and lifelong problem solver who believes public service should be about people, not politics. A Democrat from Oklahoma, Jim is running for the United States Senate to bring practical leadership, ethical judgment, and a servant’s heart to Washington. His theme is "Bringing America Together Again".

For more than 40 years, Jim has worked directly with working people, families, and organizations facing real challenges. His career has been defined by listening first, telling the truth, and doing the hard work of finding solutions that actually last.

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?

We need people in Washington to solve problems, not create them. A house divided against itself cannot stand and we must end the bickering and finger pointing and work collaboratively to solve the real world problems facing Americans today. It's time to "Bring America Together Again. "Jim's "FAIR Deal" plan addresses (1) F: Family finances and affordability, Reckless tariffs have harmed the American economy and must stop (2) A: Accessibility to affordable healthcare especially in rural areas and access to other needed services, (3) I: Inspiring Solidarity through restoration of funding for PBS NPR USAID, VISTA, and other inspiring collaborations. We also need to inspire confidence in our government and law enforcement through transparency and accountability, especially ICE, and (4) R: Recovering our place in the international community as the beacon of democracy and a respected and trustworthy ally.We must restore hope in America and confidence in our government. Voter participation is at an all time low and there is a prevailing sentiment that Washington is not listening and cannot be trusted. We must show the American people that government can serve the greater good and accomplish great things through unity and collaboration. It will not be easy, but neither was sending a man to the moon as President Kennedy challenged us in 1962 and was accomplished in 1969. We chose to go to the moon not because it was easy but because it was hard and demanded the best of us. The same can be said of restoring trust in American government.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Civil rights, justice and restoration of the Rule of Law. We have seen a widespread disregard for the Rule of Law and the rights of citizens and immigrants. Ruling of courts have been disregarded by the Executive Branch and the role of Congress has been usurped by the Executive. If left unchecked Democracy itself is in danger of crumbling.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

A variety of individuals have endorsed my candidacy as evidenced on our Facebook pages. Our campaign has not yet sought endorsements of any organization

Campaign websitePriest's campaign website stated the following:Oklahomans are working harder than ever and still coming up short. Groceries, housing, gas, and health care keep climbing — and the people who can fix it are making money but not progress. Jim will take that fight head-on.FFoCUSING ON FAMILY FINANCESAffordable cost of living, affordable housing, and affordable health care are what Oklahomans want and deserve. Jim has a plan for a New Fair Deal that delivers.Lower grocery and household costs.Expand affordable childcare.Build more workforce housing.Protect seniors on fixed incomes.Grow better-paying jobs and paid apprenticeships.AACCESSING BASIC RESOURCESIf a closet is filled with things you need, but it’s locked, you’re out of luck — unless you have access to it. Jim has a plan to make sure Oklahomans have access to essential services.Keep rural hospitals open.Expand mental health and addiction care.Fully fund public schools and raise teacher pay.Invest in rural communities.Build broadband statewide, especially rural.Fully fund addiction and mental health recovery.IINSPIRING CONFIDENCE IN GOVERNMENTWashington is broken because the rules don’t apply equally — members of Congress trade stocks with insider information while ICE agents arrest and shoot people. Jim’s plan calls for banning congressional stock trading, holding law enforcement accountable, and inspiring a new generation to public service.Inspire confidence in government through accountability & transparency.Investigate government wrongdoingfairly & swiftly.Promote community service & restore funding for programs like VISTA (Volunteers in Service To America).Create a National Service Corps.RRESTORING AMERICA’S REPUTATIONAmerica is strongest when we stand with our allies and lead with a steady hand. Jim will end reckless tariffs, restore Congress’s authority, and rebuild the trust that makes America a beacon of democracy again.Recover our international reputation as a beacon of democracy and a reliable ally.Restore trust in public safety.Protect natural resources responsibly.Respond faster to wildfires and severe weather.— Jim Priest's campaign website (August 17, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.