Jena Nelson

Jena Nelson is the Democratic nominee in Oklahoma's 5th District. A teacher for more than 16 years, she was named 2020 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year and ran for state superintendent of public instruction in 2022. She has since worked in the nonprofit and corporate sectors, and says she is running on protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, lowering the cost of living and veterans' healthcare.[1]

Jena Nelson earned a high school diploma from Broken Bow High School and a bachelor's degree from Northwestern State University of Louisiana in 2001.[1] She worked as an educator for more than 16 years and says her students earned more than $4 million in scholarships.[1] Nelson was named Oklahoma Teacher of the Year in 2020, and says she was also selected to direct at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland and to present at the International Music Festival in Campina Grande, Brazil.[1]

In 2022 Nelson was the Democratic nominee for Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction, losing to Republican Ryan Walters, 56.8% to 43.2%; she says she received more statewide votes than any other Democrat that cycle.[1] She most recently served as acting Executive Director and Director of Programs for the Oklahoma Faith Network, and her profile also lists work as a corporate leadership developer and small business owner.[1] Nelson says she has been married to her husband, Karl, for 21 years and that they have two children.[1]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.