About Jim Priest
Jim Priest is a lawyer, ordained minister, nonprofit leader, and lifelong problem solver who believes public service should be about people, not politics. A Democrat from Oklahoma, Jim is running for the United States Senate to bring practical leadership, ethical judgment, and a servant’s heart to Washington.

For more than 40 years, Jim has worked directly with working people, families, and organizations facing real challenges. His career has been defined by listening first, telling the truth, and doing the hard work of finding solutions that actually last.

Jim began his professional life as an employment-law trial lawyer, representing and advising people on some of the most difficult moments of their working lives. Over four decades, he has helped employees, employers, and organizations navigate conflict, fairness, and accountability in the workplace.

Beyond the courtroom, Jim expanded his work as an executive coach and mediator, helping leaders and teams resolve disputes, improve culture, and move forward together. That experience taught him an important lesson: most problems don’t get solved by shouting or picking sides—they get solved by listening, understanding, and acting in good faith.

That same mindset guides his approach to public service.

 Jim has also served as CEO, what he often calls “Chief Encouragement Officer,” of two major Oklahoma City nonprofits that provide workforce development and critical services to families and individuals in need. In those roles, he led diverse teams, managed large budgets, and helped organizations grow while staying focused on their mission.

He earned a reputation for being accessible, down to earth, and deeply connected to both employees and the community. Jim focused on building positive workplace cultures where people felt valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work. For him, leadership has always meant putting people first—not titles, egos, or politics.