--- title: "Nelson vs. Bice: 2026 Oklahoma’s 5th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ok-05" updated: "2026-08-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Oklahoma’s 5th District race: Jena Nelson (D) vs. Stephanie Bice (R) Rating: Likely R · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 1, 2026 Democratic nominee Jena Nelson faces Republican incumbent Stephanie Bice in the general election for Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District on November 3, 2026. The matchup centers on divergent strategies for addressing the cost of living, federal spending, veterans' healthcare, entitlement protections, and border security. ## Candidates - **Jena Nelson** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://jenanelson.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jena_Nelson) - **Stephanie Bice** (Republican, incumbent) · [Campaign site](https://biceforcongress.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Stephanie_Bice) ## Issues ### Economy & Federal Spending Salience: high Nelson proposes reducing living costs through price caps, corporate windfall taxes, and social benefit expansions, whereas Bice seeks to curb inflation by cutting federal spending and eliminating duplicative government programs. **Jena Nelson:** Supports capping costs and taxing corporations Nelson advocates cutting the cost of living for working families through antitrust enforcement, windfall profit taxes, and penalties for price manipulation. Her platform includes raising the minimum wage to $17 per hour, expanding the Child Tax Credit, providing housing tax credits, and expanding food assistance programs. - Proposes raising the minimum wage to $17 per hour and expanding the Child Tax Credit. - Calls for antitrust enforcement, windfall profit taxes on corporations, and penalties for food and fuel price manipulation. - Supports building affordable housing, banning junk fees, and providing tax credits for first-time homebuyers. - Advocates strengthening SNAP benefits, providing free public school meals for all children in Oklahoma, and expanding WIC. > “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.” > — Jena Nelson, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jena_Nelson) > “Oklahoma families are being crushed by rising costs, as groceries have surged, rent has hit record highs, utility costs rise and insurance costs jump year after year.” > — Jena Nelson, via [Campaign site](https://jenanelson.com/) **Stephanie Bice:** Supports cutting federal spending and waste Bice focuses on restoring fiscal responsibility by reining in federal spending and streamlining government agencies. She has introduced legislation to eliminate duplicative grant programs and voted for major spending reduction and debt limit measures. - Introduced legislation to eliminate duplicative federal grant programs and streamline agency funding. - Supported major fiscal legislation including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) reconciliation bill and the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023. - Pledges to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse across federal spending programs. > “Congresswoman Bice is working to rein in Washington’s out-of-control spending and bring fiscal responsibility back to the federal government.” > — Stephanie Bice, via [Campaign site](https://biceforcongress.com) > “She introduced legislation to eliminate duplicative federal grant programs and streamline funding across agencies.” > — Stephanie Bice, via [Campaign site](https://biceforcongress.com) ### Healthcare & Entitlements Salience: high Nelson favors expanding federal safety-net programs and drug price negotiations, while Bice supports market-based healthcare choices and opposes single-payer systems. **Jena Nelson:** Supports expanding Medicare and protecting Medicaid Nelson prioritizes defending Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid against funding reductions. She supports restoring cuts to Affordable Care Act subsidies, expanding Medicare's ability to negotiate drug prices, and capping insulin costs for all working families. - Pledges to protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits from federal spending cuts. - Supports expanding Medicare's authority to negotiate prescription drug prices as introduced under the Inflation Reduction Act. - Advocates restoring Affordable Care Act subsidy cuts and capping insulin costs for working families. > “Protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. These programs are lifelines for vulnerable Americans—we must protect and strengthen them.” > — Jena Nelson, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jena_Nelson) > “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).” > — Jena Nelson, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jena_Nelson) **Stephanie Bice:** Supports patient-centered healthcare choices Bice advocates for patient-centered healthcare options that maintain personal choice and protect individuals with pre-existing conditions while opposing single-payer systems. She voted in favor of the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 to eliminate certain benefit offsets. - Opposes Democratic proposals for Medicare for All. - Supports protecting coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions. - Voted Yea on the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R. 82) to reduce benefit offsets for public sector retirees. > “Stephanie will work to deliver patient-centered health care with the choice Americans want, the affordability they need, and the quality they deserve.” > — Stephanie Bice, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Stephanie_Bice) > “This includes protecting coverage for Americans with pre-existing conditions.” > — Stephanie Bice, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Stephanie_Bice) ### Veterans Salience: high Nelson centers her platform on opposing proposed cuts to VA facilities and crisis helplines, whereas Bice emphasizes her enacted veteran legislation and committee work on veteran appropriations. **Jena Nelson:** Opposes VA medical care budget cuts Nelson opposes federal spending reductions targeting the Department of Veterans Affairs, warning that cuts will close hospitals, lengthen wait times, and degrade mental health crisis lines. She views providing quality care to veterans as a fundamental moral obligation. - Opposes proposed cuts to VA medical care, hospitals, and veteran crisis helplines. - Commitment to safeguarding and expanding healthcare services for military 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.” > — Jena Nelson, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jena_Nelson) > “Congress must uphold the promises made to those who fought for America. I’ll fight to improve healthcare for our bravest men and women.” > — Jena Nelson, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jena_Nelson) **Stephanie Bice:** Supports expanding veteran healthcare and benefits Bice highlights her record of authoring enacted veteran legislation and advocating for Oklahoma's veteran population. As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, she supports expanding access to healthcare, education, and job training. - Authored the Protecting Military Veteran Families with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law. - Supports expanded healthcare access, education benefits, and job training for veterans. - Serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. > “Congresswoman Bice authored the “Protecting Military Veteran Families with Disabilities Act,” which was signed into law.” > — Stephanie Bice, via [Campaign site](https://biceforcongress.com) > “She continues to champion legislation that expands veteran access to high-quality healthcare, job training, and education benefits.” > — Stephanie Bice, via [Campaign site](https://biceforcongress.com) ### Border Security & Immigration Salience: high Nelson pairs technology-focused enforcement with asylum processing reform and expanded work visas, whereas Bice prioritizes physical walls, National Guard deployment, and stricter statutory enforcement. **Jena Nelson:** Supports enhanced border technology and asylum reform Nelson supports combining strong border security with a fair immigration process. She calls for deploying additional border agents, drones, and inspection technology, alongside streamlining asylum court processing and expanding work visas to address labor shortages. - Supports adding border agents, drones, and inspection sensors to stop drug trafficking and illegal crossings. - Advocates reforming the asylum system to resolve cases in weeks and screening applicants in regional border centers. - Calls for expanding legal work visas in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and technology. > “National security requires Congress to provide more border agents, drones and inspection sensors to stop international drugs trafficking and illegal border crossings.” > — Jena Nelson, via [Campaign site](https://jenanelson.com/) > “A secure border and a fair immigration system aren’t opposites—they’re both essential for a stronger Oklahoma.” > — Jena Nelson, via [Campaign site](https://jenanelson.com/) **Stephanie Bice:** Supports strict border enforcement and wall construction Bice advocates for strict border enforcement measures, including physical wall construction, increased agent deployment, and National Guard support. She passed an amendment redirecting $25 million to National Guard border operations and consistently votes for strict statutory enforcement bills. - Passed an amendment redirecting $25 million in unused Afghan Security Forces funds to the National Guard for border operations. - Supports physical border wall construction, increased agent deployment, and enforcement technology. - Voted Yea on the Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2), the Laken Riley Act, and the SAVE Act. > “She successfully passed an amendment redirecting $25 million in unused Afghan Security Forces funds to the National Guard, bolstering their ability to assist U.S. Customs and Border Protection.” > — Stephanie Bice, via [Campaign site](https://biceforcongress.com) > “Stephanie believes we must first enforce strong border protections, with a wall, additional border agents and technology.” > — Stephanie Bice, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Stephanie_Bice) ### Energy Policy Salience: medium Nelson advocates penalizing fuel price manipulation and levying windfall profit taxes, while Bice focuses on expanding domestic oil and gas production and cutting energy regulations. **Jena Nelson:** Supports cracking down on energy price manipulation Nelson focuses her energy policy stance on consumer protection, advocating for windfall profit taxes on energy corporations and penalties against food and fuel price manipulation. - Supports windfall profit taxes on energy companies. - Calls for strict penalties against price manipulation in fuel markets. > “We need to crack down on corporate greed with stronger antitrust enforcement, windfall profit taxes, and penalties for food and fuel price manipulation.” > — Jena Nelson, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jena_Nelson) **Stephanie Bice:** Supports domestic oil and gas production Bice is a strong advocate for American energy independence, supporting Oklahoma's oil and gas sector and opposing federal regulations that restrict domestic production. She voted for the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1). - Supports Oklahoma's oil and gas industry and domestic energy independence. - Opposes federal regulations that restrict domestic energy production and eliminate American jobs. - Voted Yea on the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1). > “Congresswoman Bice is a national leader in the fight to strengthen American energy independence.” > — Stephanie Bice, via [Campaign site](https://biceforcongress.com) > “She supports Oklahoma’s oil and gas industry which is responsible for producing over 10,000 barrels of oil per day and reduces our reliance on hostile foreign nations.” > — Stephanie Bice, via [Campaign site](https://biceforcongress.com) ### Agriculture & Rural Economy Salience: medium Nelson addresses agriculture by proposing expanded work visas for farm labor, whereas Bice emphasizes cutting regulations and expanding markets for farm products. **Jena Nelson:** Supports agricultural labor visas and hunger relief Nelson supports expanding legal work visas for agricultural workers to address labor shortages, as well as expanding nutrition assistance programs like SNAP and WIC. - Supports expanding work visas specifically to alleviate agricultural labor shortages. - Advocates strengthening SNAP benefits and free school meal programs. > “Oklahoma businesses facing labor shortages need more work visas, particularly in agriculture, healthcare and tech.” > — Jena Nelson, via [Campaign site](https://jenanelson.com/) **Stephanie Bice:** Supports cutting agricultural regulations and expanding markets Bice focuses on reducing regulatory burdens on agricultural producers and expanding commercial opportunities for farm and ranch products. She is endorsed by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. - Endorsed by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. - Supports cutting federal regulations that burden farmers and ranchers. - Advocates policies that create new market opportunities for agricultural products. > “She supports policies that cut unnecessary regulations, create new opportunities for ag products, and help farmers and ranchers to grow.” > — Stephanie Bice, via [Campaign site](https://biceforcongress.com) > “Bice is proud to be endorsed by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and continues to advocate for those who feed and fuel the nation.” > — Stephanie Bice, via [Campaign site](https://biceforcongress.com) ### Paid Family Leave & Childcare Salience: medium Nelson supports expanding the Child Tax Credit and direct childcare relief, while Bice advocates tax incentives for small businesses to voluntarily offer paid family leave. **Jena Nelson:** Supports expanding Child Tax Credit and reducing childcare costs Nelson advocates expanding the Child Tax Credit and lowering childcare costs to support working families in Oklahoma. - Supports expanding the Child Tax Credit. - Calls for direct action to reduce childcare costs for working parents. > “Raise the minimum wage to $17/hour, expand the Child Tax Credit and slash healthcare costs by letting Medicare negotiate drug prices.” > — Jena Nelson, via [Campaign site](https://jenanelson.com/) **Stephanie Bice:** Supports tax credits for voluntary employer paid family leave Bice leads a bipartisan effort to encourage small businesses to offer paid family leave by expanding tax credits for employers who voluntarily provide the benefit. - Introduced bipartisan legislation expanding small business tax credits for offering paid family leave. - Promotes market-based tax incentives for voluntary employer-provided family leave. > “Congresswoman Bice is leading a bipartisan effort in Congress to encourage employers to expand access to paid family leave.” > — Stephanie Bice, via [Campaign site](https://biceforcongress.com) > “Her legislation encourages small businesses to offer this benefit by expanding existing tax credits, helping new parents take time off without financial strain.” > — Stephanie Bice, via [Campaign site](https://biceforcongress.com) ### Second Amendment Rights Salience: low **Jena Nelson:** No documented position in our sources **Stephanie Bice:** Opposes gun control and supports Second Amendment rights Bice is a staunch defender of Second Amendment rights, consistently voting against gun control restrictions and earning an A rating from the NRA. - Holds an A rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA). - Opposes federal legislation restricting gun ownership for law-abiding citizens. > “She is a strong defender of the Second Amendment and continues to oppose efforts that threaten the rights of law-abiding gun owners.” > — Stephanie Bice, via [Campaign site](https://biceforcongress.com) ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/ok-05-house-election-winner) — OK-05 House Election Winner: Republicans 88.5%, Democrats 11.5% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-OK05-26) — OK-05 House winner?: Stephanie Bice 90.0%, Jena Nelson 12.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ok-05)