Politics in Oklahoma usually feels like a foregone conclusion. Red state, red results, right? Well, mostly. But if you’re looking at who is running for congress in oklahoma 2024, you'll see it’s not just a sea of unopposed incumbents. There’s actually a fair bit of noise happening in the 405 and the 918 areas this cycle.
People think the big show is just at the top of the ticket. Honestly, that’s a mistake. The folks heading to D.C. from the Sooner State have a massive say in everything from tribal relations to oil and gas policy. This year, all five of Oklahoma’s seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for grabs. No Senate seats this time—those guys are hunkered down for now—but the House races are where the local ground game lives.
The Big Names: Who Is Running for Congress in Oklahoma 2024?
Basically, every single incumbent is trying to keep their chair. That’s Kevin Hern, Josh Brecheen, Frank Lucas, Tom Cole, and Stephanie Bice. If you’ve followed Oklahoma politics for more than five minutes, these names are probably stuck in your head like a catchy (or annoying) jingle. But they all have challengers. Some are long shots, sure, but they’re out there knocking on doors and trying to make a point.
The Republican primary back in June already thinned the herd. Some of these races got surprisingly spicy, especially in the 4th District where Tom Cole had to fend off a massive spending spree from a newcomer. But now that we’re looking at the general election, the lineups are set. You’ve got a mix of Democrats, Independents, and even a Libertarian or two scattered across the map.
District 1: The Tulsa Tug-of-War
Up in the Tulsa area, Kevin Hern is the man to beat. He’s a Republican who’s made a name for himself on the Republican Study Committee. He’s facing off against Dennis Baker, the Democratic nominee. Baker is an attorney and a former FBI agent, which is a pretty interesting background for a Democrat running in a deep red district. He’s leaning hard into his law enforcement credentials.
There’s also an Independent in the mix here: Mark Sanders.
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Tulsa’s 1st District is usually pretty solid for the GOP, but Baker is betting that his "G-man" history might peel off some moderate voters who are tired of the usual partisan bickering. It’s a steep hill to climb. Hern has a massive fundraising advantage. That’s just the reality of being an incumbent in a district that hasn't sent a Democrat to Congress since the 1980s.
District 2: Eastern Oklahoma’s Wild Card
Josh Brecheen is the incumbent here. He’s a rancher and a former state senator who won this seat in 2022 after Markwayne Mullin moved over to the Senate. Brecheen is about as conservative as they come. He’s being challenged by Democrat Brandon Wade and Independent Ronnie Hopkins.
Wade is a machinery assembler. He’s positioning himself as a "working man’s" candidate, which fits the blue-collar vibe of much of Eastern Oklahoma. However, the 2nd District is statistically one of the most Republican-leaning areas in the entire country. It covers the Cherokee Nation and a huge chunk of the southeastern part of the state. Honestly, Brecheen’s biggest hurdle was likely the primary, and he sailed through that.
Why the 4th District Race Got Weird
If you want to talk about drama, look at Tom Cole in the 4th District. This area covers Moore, Norman, and down toward Lawton. Cole is a powerhouse. He’s the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. That is a huge deal for Oklahoma because it means he controls the purse strings.
But a guy named Paul Bondar came out of nowhere in the primary and spent millions of his own money trying to unseat Cole. He claimed Cole wasn't "MAGA" enough. Cole ended up winning that primary by a comfortable margin, but it showed that even the most powerful incumbents aren't totally safe from a primary challenge.
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Now, Cole faces Democrat Mary Brannon and Independent James Stacy in the general. Brannon has run before, so she’s a familiar face to voters in the 4th. She’s an educator, and she focuses a lot on healthcare and social security. But beating Cole, who has the backing of basically every major Republican in the state and the Chickasaw Nation, is a Herculean task.
District 3: The Uncontested(?) Giant
Frank Lucas is the longest-serving member of the Oklahoma delegation. He’s the "dean" of the group. His district is massive—it covers the Panhandle and a huge swath of Western Oklahoma. In the general election, Lucas is actually in a very comfortable spot.
Earlier this year, he faced some primary opposition from folks like Darren Hamilton and Robin Carder, but he handled that easily. The fascinating thing about District 3 is how much the agricultural community relies on Lucas. He’s been a staple of the House Agriculture Committee for decades. In many ways, he is the representative for rural Oklahoma.
District 5: The Battle for OKC
This is the one people usually watch the closest. The 5th District covers most of Oklahoma City and its suburbs. It’s the only district in Oklahoma that has flipped parties in recent memory—Kendra Horn won it for the Democrats in 2018, only to lose it to Stephanie Bice in 2020.
Bice is a very effective campaigner. She’s savvy, moderate enough to appeal to suburban moms, but conservative enough to keep the base happy. Her opponent is Madison Horn (no relation to Kendra). Madison Horn is a cybersecurity expert. She’s been very vocal about digital privacy, national security, and trying to find a middle ground in a very polarized state.
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This race is usually the "closest," but "close" in Oklahoma still often means a 10 or 15-point lead for the Republican. Still, if there’s any place where a Democrat can make a dent, it’s in the growing, diversifying neighborhoods of Oklahoma City.
Sorting Out the Noise
When you look at who is running for congress in oklahoma 2024, don't just look at the party labels. Look at the backgrounds. You’ve got an FBI agent, a machinery assembler, a cybersecurity expert, and a rancher. It’s a pretty diverse group of people, even if the electoral outcomes tend to look very similar every two years.
A lot of voters feel like their voice doesn't matter because the state is so lopsided. But these congressional races are where the specific needs of the state get addressed. Whether it’s funding for Tinker Air Force Base, protecting the interests of the energy sector, or navigating the complex legal landscape after the McGirt decision, these five people are the ones who represent you in the room where it happens.
- Kevin Hern (R) vs. Dennis Baker (D) vs. Mark Sanders (I) - District 1
- Josh Brecheen (R) vs. Brandon Wade (D) vs. Ronnie Hopkins (I) - District 2
- Frank Lucas (R) - District 3 (He effectively cleared the field of major challengers)
- Tom Cole (R) vs. Mary Brannon (D) vs. James Stacy (I) - District 4
- Stephanie Bice (R) vs. Madison Horn (D) - District 5
What You Should Do Before Voting
First off, check your registration. The Oklahoma State Election Board has a "Portal" where you can see your sample ballot. You’ve gotta do this. Don't just walk in there and guess.
- Go to the OK Voter Portal.
- Type in your name and birthdate.
- Look at the "Sample Ballot" for the November election.
- Actually Google the candidates. Many of the Independents don't have big TV budgets, so you won't see their ads, but they often have detailed websites explaining why they’re running.
Knowing who is on the ballot is half the battle. The other half is actually showing up. Whether you’re in the heart of OKC or out in the high plains of the Panhandle, these races determine how Oklahoma's voice sounds in Washington for the next two years.
Check your polling place location at least 24 hours before you head out, as some precincts change locations between elections. If you plan to vote by mail, ensure your affidavit is notarized—Oklahoma is strict about that.