N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas
DemocraticQ1 Oklahoma’s public research universities contribute substantially to the state’s research capacity, innovation economy, and workforce development. The University of Oklahoma alone reported more than $400 million in research and development expenditures across its three campuses in fiscal year 2022. NIH grants reimburse institutions for both direct research costs and indirect costs, the facilities, administration, and support infrastructure that make research possible. A proposed federal policy change would cap NIH reimbursement for indirect costs at 15%, below the rates many institutions currently receive. What policies, if any, would you support at the state or federal level to protect the long-term stability of Oklahoma’s university research infrastructure, and why?
Yes, absolutely! I am a firm believer in science, whether that’s medicine, environmental research, agriculture, technology, or innovation. Oklahoma’s public research universities are not just educational institutions, they are economic engines that create jobs, train our workforce, improve healthcare outcomes, and develop solutions to the challenges our communities face. And I am a supporter of all things that establishes careers and safety throughout our state.
At the federal level, I would oppose arbitrary cuts to NIH funding and protect the full cost of research so universities are not forced to reduce programs, lay off researchers, or limit groundbreaking discoveries because they cannot sustain the infrastructure needed to support them. Indirect costs are not waste, they support laboratories, compliance, equipment, research staff, and the systems that make scientific breakthroughs possible.
As a nurse, I have seen firsthand how research translates into better patient care. Investments in biomedical research, public health, and innovation save lives and strengthen our healthcare system. At the state level, we should continue investing in our universities, expanding partnerships between higher education and industry, and ensuring Oklahoma can compete for the next generation of scientists, healthcare professionals, engineers, and innovators.
Science is not a luxury… it is an investment in Oklahoma’s future. And investing in our next generations to come is something I wholeheartedly support and stand with.
Keywords: Science is not a luxury, it’s an investment in Oklahoma’s future. I wholeheartedly support investing in Oklahoma’s future. I’ve worked in public health and seen how the innovation of science has changed the lives of many people.
Q2 Tribal nations play an important role in Oklahoma’s environmental stewardship, but many face challenges in accessing resources and infrastructure for environmental science, land management, and water monitoring. What policies, if any, would you support to strengthen tribal capacity in these areas, and why?
As a Chickasaw citizen and someone who is culturally involved and not theoretically… I understand that environmental stewardship is not just a policy discussion; it is a responsibility passed down through generations. Tribal nations have long been leaders in protecting land, water, and natural resources, but they cannot be expected to carry that responsibility without the resources and infrastructure needed to do the work.
I support strengthening federal investments that expand tribal access to environmental research, water monitoring technology, land management resources, and climate resilience programs while respecting tribal sovereignty and the right of tribal nations to make decisions regarding their own lands and resources.
Environmental protection is not separate from public health, economic stability, or future generations. As a nurse, I understand that the quality of our environment directly impacts the health of our communities. Supporting tribal environmental capacity means supporting healthier communities, protecting Oklahoma’s natural resources, and honoring the expertise of Indigenous nations who have been stewards of these lands since time immemorial. I would actually like to expand the people first policies that the tribal governments have spent years building for their citizens and land.
Q3 Oklahoma’s agricultural economy depends on reliable access to water, but competing demands among agricultural producers, rural communities, and growing industries have created challenges for managing the state’s water resources. Recent legislation has updated groundwater reporting requirements, enforcement mechanisms, and requirements for certain data center cooling systems while protecting permitted users who reduce water use through conservation. How effective do you believe current policies are in protecting Oklahoma’s water resources? What additional policies, if any, would you support to balance the needs of agricultural producers, rural communities, and economic development?
Oklahoma’s water resources are one of our most valuable assets, and we cannot allow economic development to outpace the infrastructure and resources needed to sustain our communities. While I support innovation and responsible growth, I believe we need a statewide and federal moratorium on large scale data center expansion until we have comprehensive assessments of water usage, energy demands, and impacts on local infrastructure.
I have personally attended local government meetings, including in Piedmont, where residents have raised serious concerns about the strain these facilities could place on existing water systems. When a proposed project requires millions of gallons of water while current residents are already concerned about capacity and pressure, those concerns deserve to be addressed before approval—not after.
Oklahoma families, farmers, and rural communities deserve transparency and a meaningful voice in decisions that impact their natural resources. I will continue working to keep the public informed, increase accountability, and ensure communities have the tools and information needed to advocate for themselves.
Economic development should strengthen Oklahoma… not leave communities paying the cost. We can support innovation while protecting the water, land, and infrastructure that future generations depend on.
Q4 The Oklahoma Corporation Commission lists nearly 17,000 wells on its official Orphan Well List. In 2026, legislation was introduced in Oklahoma to allow abandoned oil and gas wells to be repurposed for geothermal energy or energy storage. What policies, if any, would you support to address the remediation of Oklahoma’s orphaned oil and gas wells, including opportunities to safely repurpose suitable wells?
As a state with a long history in oil and gas production, Oklahoma has a responsibility to address the environmental legacy left behind by abandoned and orphaned wells. I have learned through conversations with Corporation Commissioner nominee Rhonda Eastman and other stakeholders that these wells present both challenges and opportunities for our state.
I support fully funding and strengthening orphan well remediation programs, increasing accountability for responsible parties, and ensuring that abandoned wells are safely plugged and monitored to protect landowners, groundwater, and public health.
Where appropriate and where safety standards can be met, I support exploring opportunities to repurpose suitable wells for emerging technologies such as geothermal energy and energy storage. We should not view these sites only as liabilities; with proper oversight, they can become opportunities for innovation, job creation, and a cleaner energy future.
Oklahoma’s energy future should honor our history while preparing for the future. That means protecting our natural resources, supporting workers, and making sure communities are not left responsible for the consequences of abandoned infrastructure.
Q5 Oklahoma is home to nationally recognized severe weather research and forecasting facilities based in Norman, including NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory and the National Weather Center. These facilities support research and forecasting efforts that improve severe weather preparedness and public safety. What policies, if any, would you support to ensure continued investment in severe weather research and forecasting?
Safety first. Safety second. Safety always. That is not just a slogan, it is a responsibility of government. It’s been a motto since nursing school.
As someone who believes public safety must be prioritized, I strongly support continued federal investment in NOAA, the National Weather Center, the National Severe Storms Laboratory, and the research infrastructure that helps protect communities from severe weather events.
Oklahoma knows firsthand the importance of accurate forecasting, early warnings, and preparedness. Tornadoes, severe storms, flooding, and other extreme weather events can happen quickly, and timely information can mean the difference between life and death. Think back to Moore 2013.
When we invest in weather research, technology, and forecasting systems, we are investing in families, first responders, farmers, businesses, and communities. Severe weather preparedness is not just an environmental issue; it is a public safety issue and an economic issue.
I will always support science-based decision-making and ensuring that our weather agencies have the resources necessary to continue improving forecasting, protecting lives, and keeping Oklahomans informed and prepared.
Q6 Oklahoma has experienced increased growth in data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure, creating new considerations for energy demand, utility planning, and ratepayer impacts (Oklahoma Senate, 2026). What policies, if any, would you support to guide utility oversight and infrastructure planning as data center development continues?
Oklahoma has the opportunity to be a leader in technology and innovation, but growth must be responsible and cannot come at the expense of our communities, our natural resources, or our utility reliability.
I support a statewide and federal moratorium on large-scale data center expansion until we have comprehensive assessments of water usage, energy demand, environmental impacts, and the long-term costs to ratepayers. Communities deserve transparency before decisions are made that could impact their infrastructure for decades.
I have attended local government meetings where residents have raised concerns about the strain that large data centers could place on water systems, energy capacity, and local resources. Economic development should not mean existing residents bear the burden through higher utility costs or reduced access to essential resources.
We have seen similar concerns arise with projects like the proposed Inola industrial smelter, where communities raised legitimate questions about environmental impacts, public health, and whether the benefits outweighed the risks. These conversations demonstrate why strong oversight and meaningful community input are necessary before approving projects that have long-term consequences.
As a policymaker, I believe Oklahoma should welcome innovation while protecting the people who already call this state home. We need transparent utility planning, responsible permitting, environmental accountability, and a seat at the table for the communities most affected.
Technology should serve Oklahoma… not force Oklahomans to sacrifice their water, energy security, health, or quality of life.
Q7 Proposed federal changes to Medicaid financing could affect healthcare coverage and rural hospital funding nationwide (Congressional Budget Office, 2025; Saunders et al., 2025). What evidence-based policies, if any, would you support to improve rural healthcare access, community health outcomes, and the sustainability of rural healthcare systems in Oklahoma?
This is my JAM! As a nurse, rural healthcare is not an issue I learned about when I decided to run for office, it is something I understand from working in healthcare and from listening directly to rural Oklahoma communities and healthcare leaders.
I strongly oppose federal Medicaid cuts that threaten healthcare coverage and the financial stability of rural hospitals. Medicaid is not simply an insurance program; in rural Oklahoma, it is part of the infrastructure that keeps hospitals, clinics, nursing facilities, pharmacies, and healthcare jobs in our communities. When a rural hospital closes, we do not just lose a building… we ultimately lose jobs, emergency care, maternal healthcare, preventive services, and precious minutes during medical emergencies.
I support protecting and strengthening Medicaid, improving reimbursement for rural providers, expanding incentives and loan repayment programs to recruit and retain nurses, physicians, behavioral-health professionals, and other providers in underserved areas, and expanding telehealth while continuing to invest in actual brick-and-mortar healthcare access.
I also believe we must invest heavily in maternal and postpartum healthcare, preventive care, mental healthcare, chronic disease management, and community based services. We cannot wait until Oklahomans are critically ill and then wonder why our healthcare system is overwhelmed. As a nurse, I believe in assessment, prevention, early intervention, and evaluating outcomes, and I will bring that same nursing process to policymaking.
I’ve spoken directly with rural hospital leadership about the challenges they face, including workforce shortages, reimbursement, postpartum access, and keeping essential services available locally. Those conversations matter to me because Washington should not be designing rural healthcare policy without listening to the people actually delivering that care.
Ultimately, I believe healthcare is a human right. My long-term goal is Medicare 4 All, because no Oklahoman should have to choose between seeking medical treatment and paying their bills, and no rural community should lose access to healthcare simply because providing it isn’t profitable enough.