1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ Democratic Candidates!

John, you've heard us talk about this before by now. In 2024 only 1/3 of state legislative seats were contested. This year we've already doubled that, with months to go until the filing deadline!

This means that next November 200,000 more Oklahomans will have a chance to vote for a local Democrat than in the last eight years!

This isn't just about recruiting candidates. It is about building a Democratic Party that competes everywhere, because we know that when we organize everywhere, we can win anywhere. 

To accomplish our mission of breaking the Republican supermajority, we need to meet folks where they are. We need stronger organizing with experienced volunteers, candidates, volunteers, and campaign professionals in every part of the State. And we need to fight across every part of Oklahoma. 

Oklahomans deserve representation, and we need winning candidates to achieve that.

First, I want to thank the army of folks who have made our candidate recruitment a monumental success! The OKDEMS team, spearheaded by our own Operations Director, Molly, has been hard at work finding potential candidates, building relationships, and the capacity to assist their campaigns. But this success reflects the work of both our staff and leadership, elected partners at the State Capitol, and the thousands of loyal Democrats who make up the rank and file who submit names, suggestions, and convince their neighbors to step up.

As well as of course to the candidates themselves. 

Now, let's talk about how this phenomenal and broad slate of candidates factors into winning in 2026.

From partnering with Contest Every Race to amplify the work of our County Parties, to our investment in targeted voter registration of new Democrats in key swing districts, we've spent 2025 laying the groundwork for huge gains next year. 

The OKDEMS team has never been in a better position to assist our candidates run fierce campaigns able to get their message out and effectively organize in their communities!

These investments throughout the state are part of a winning strategy. 

Contest Every Race FLIPPED red seats last year in both Wisconsin and North Carolina. Fighting for seats overlooked in previous years also helps mobilize Democratic turnout. This broad slate has been proven to boost top of ticket Democratic campaigns by thousands of votes!

Each of these races represents the chance to connect with voters around the belief in a state government that fights for all of us, not just the rich and well connected. We're letting them know we're done with letting Republicans and their conspiracy theories define us. 

This is how we'll pick up seats that have been neglected by out-of-touch incumbents for years. This is how we'll build the momentum to flip seats that have been close cycle after cycle. It is how we'll bring big Democratic wins to Oklahoma. 

That's why we've worked so hard to not only recruit these candidates, but to build the campaign infrastructure for them to succeed throughout the State!

And we're coming up on the last of our infrastructure and planning work. In 2026 we'll be putting the pedal to the metal to support candidates and offer them the best data tools, field training, and support we can. 

But today, you can contribute to the remaining strategic investments for ousting Republicans in 2026. Or you can celebrate the growing number of Oklahomans ready to see change in our state, and help inspire the next candidate to step forward for their neighbors. 

With Defiance,

Lauren Craig

OKDEMS Executive Director

As Oklahoma Democrats, we are working every day to engage, connect, and organize Oklahomans to elect Democrats at every level of government.