Several candidates for political office visit Southeastern Oklahoma State University

DURANT, Okla. (KXII) – The countdown is on for the November midterms, and in Oklahoma, a trio of candidates visited Southeastern Oklahoma State’s campus in Durant for the “Workers over Billionaires” rally, hoping to encourage young adults to get out and vote.

N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas is coming off a runoff win to be the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Markwayne Mullin. She is set to face Republican Kevin Hern in the general election.

As an Ardmore native, the area and rally are personal to her.

They tell us to strap up our bootstraps every day, but we can’t lace up boots that we don’t have the laces to,” said Thomas. “I’m running to represent the Texomans because we are the least represented.”

State senate candidate Patrick Southerland and corporation commissioner candidate Rhonda Eastman were also at the event. They each have different goals, but share one mission.

Although they all come from different places in Oklahoma, and they’re running for different positions, they all believe in one thing, getting out to make sure they encourage the next generation of voters to get out and make their voices heard, no matter what side of the aisle they’re on.

“When you’re a part of the working class, I just don’t think that you have a reason to sit out of any type of election or anything that you can make your voice heard,” Thomas said.

“It’s not just important that you vote,” Eastman said. “It’s important that you vote with purpose. To look up all the candidates on your ballot, be a conscientious voter.”

“The big thing is getting the younger generation involved, realizing that they have a voice, they are the future,” said Southerland.

Election day is Tuesday, November third.