Two Democrats have entered the race to become Oklahoma’s next lieutenant governor.
Candice Jay of Oklahoma City has filed her candidate committee registration paperwork with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. She’ll join Kelly Forbes of Oklahoma City on the 2026 Democratic primary ballot.
It is the first race among Democratic candidates that will require a primary.
Only two other Democrats have filed to run for statewide office in 2026: House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson for governor and former Tulsa Public Schools Board of Education member Jeanettie Marshall for state superintendent.
Jay’s campaign website lists few details about her background or candidacy, but she’s frequently among those who have attended and protested at Oklahoma State Board of Education meetings since Republican Ryan Walters became state schools superintendent in January 2023. Her Facebook page is filled with links to Democratic political events and liberal political causes in Oklahoma.
Forbes said he has spent his career as a classroom teacher, dual language programs director and federal programs director. He said he now works as an adjunct professor at the University of Central Oklahoma and owns a small business that helps schools and communities navigate educational and government issues.
Four Republican candidates have previously announced their campaigns for lieutenant governor: State Auditor Cindy Byrd, Rep. Justin Humphrey of Lane, Sen. Darrell Weaver of Moore and businessman Victor Flores of Edmond. A fourth Republican, Chris White of Broken Bow, has terminated his campaign.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Two Democrats enter race to become Oklahoma’s next lieutenant governor