IHIP News — “Running Against Trump’s Cruelty in A Deep Red State”

Date: November 9, 2025
Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie Sullivan ("Pumps")
Guest: Gina Nelson, Democratic Congressional Candidate, Oklahoma's 5th District

Episode Overview

This episode features a candid, energetic conversation with Gina Nelson, a progressive Democrat running to unseat Republican incumbent Stephanie Bice in Oklahoma's 5th Congressional District. Hosts Jennifer and Angie (“Pumps”) explore Gina’s motivation, her campaign strategy in a deeply red state, and the local issues driving voters. With humor and heart, the discussion delves into political fatigue, the economic and healthcare crises, reproductive rights, and the rise of Christian nationalism—all set against Oklahoma’s shifting political winds.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Gina’s Ground-Up Campaign & Approachability

• Gina Nelson, a former teacher, highlights her approach to campaigning: showing up for constituents often neglected by the incumbent.

• She points out that Stephanie Bice has not held an in-person town hall in four years, while Gina has already done five—with more scheduled, plus small meet-and-greets.

  “We also are doing small meet and greets and basically showing up wherever people want to hear what we have to offer…” (Gina Nelson, 00:58)

• Gina's authenticity as a working-class candidate with “sass,” not “a rich millionaire,” resonates, as does her prior success in achieving significant Republican crossover votes.

  “I'm working class and full of sass—ready to go up to Congress, kick some ass.” (Gina Nelson, 02:58)

Growing Dissatisfaction with Republican Leadership

• Residents are frustrated by economic instability, lack of accessible healthcare, and education concerns.
• Gina emphasizes the diversity of the 5th district (includes Logan, Lincoln, Seminole, Canadian, and Potawatomi Counties) and the broad demand for change.
• Voters express that politicians are “covering their own assets, debts, but breaking the back of working class and the working poor.” (Gina Nelson, 01:58)

Top Issues: Economy, Healthcare, Childcare

• The most pressing concern: affordability. Rising grocery and healthcare costs are hurting families.

  “It is economy. The fact that we can't go to the grocery store and can't, you know, get out without paying an arm and a leg.” (Gina Nelson, 03:43)

• Health care anxieties center on proposed Medicare cuts, which would devastate children, elderly, and the disabled.

• Gina connects reproductive rights to economic justice, childcare, and the broader support systems families need.

Reproductive Rights & Hypocrisy of “Pro-Life” Rhetoric

• Gina is explicitly pro-choice and unpacks the broader hypocrisy: being truly “pro-life” means supporting children, food security, and comprehensive health care.

  “If we're going to have pro life, then you've got to take care of the life all the way through.” (Gina Nelson, 04:36)

• She defends the need for privacy in reproductive decisions and pushes back against government overreach.

Oklahoma’s Healthcare Deserts & Legislative Impact

• Discussion of rural hospital closures and the threat posed by the “big beautiful bill,” which strips ACA subsidies and forces vulnerable communities to travel hours for care.

• Gina educates at town halls, challenging voters to visualize real consequences if local hospitals close.

  “When minutes count... what is it that we can do right now to stop that?... We have to overturn the big beautiful bill. We have to preserve those hospitals.” (Gina Nelson, 07:02)

• The state faces a looming “gynecological desert” as doctors flee due to hostile anti-abortion laws.

  “Almost 75% of the people who want to be obgyns are going to leave this state…” (Gina Nelson, 07:48)

Republican Contradictions: “Small Government” vs. Authoritarianism

• The hosts and Gina ridicule the GOP's claim to “small government,” given the current push to control books, thought, and even reproductive health.

  “They want to control every single thing. The way I think, the way I raise my children, the way my children want to live... That is not small government. That is authoritarianism.” (Gina Nelson, 10:18)

• They discuss the damage caused by Oklahoma’s Republican supermajorities to the economy, education system, and women’s rights.

Faith, Christian Nationalism, and Political Awakening

• Gina demarcates her own Christianity from the Christian nationalist movement, emphasizing compassion and social justice:

  “I am a love your neighbor Christian, not a judge your neighbor Christian…” (Gina Nelson, 11:11)

• She exposes the organized push for an Oklahoma theocracy (notably from groups like City Elders) and frames her campaign as part of the counter-movement.

  “They have co-opted this version... where it is a power structure... And there’s people like me who say, ‘No, no, no, no… I'm for feed the poor and house the homeless.’” (Gina Nelson, 11:32)

• Cites bipartisan regret about GOP leaders, signaling awakening among voters who feel misled.

Campaign Momentum & National Significance

• Gina’s race is one of the most “flippable” in the country, drawing national attention from Democratic strategists (e.g., DCCC).

  “If we flip the fifth, this will be a death knell to the MAGA movement in this nation.” (Gina Nelson, 14:23)

• She calls for volunteer and fundraising support nationwide, highlighting cross-partisan enthusiasm—and even youth activism.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Gina on Being ‘One of Them’:

  “I'm working class and full of sass. Ready to go up to Congress, kick some ass.” (02:58)

• On Republican Policy Contradictions:

  “You say you’re the party of small government, but... They want to control every single thing... That is not small government. That is authoritarianism.” (10:18)

• On Hospital Closures:

  “When minutes count...what can we do right now to stop that?… We have to overturn the big beautiful bill. We have to preserve those hospitals…” (07:02)

• On Christian Values:

  “I am a love your neighbor Christian, not a judge your neighbor Christian… with an open and affirming loving heart for everybody.” (11:11)

• On Grassroots Mobilization:

  “There was a 13 year old who showed up to knock doors for me... His big thing was making sure that I would protect the separation of church and state. And I said, 'You got it, buddy.'” (13:29)

• On National Implications:

  “If you can flip this in ruby red Oklahoma, then we are back on track to truly making America what it is supposed to be—not great, but a land of opportunity again.” (14:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Gina’s Introduction & Campaign Ethos: 00:18–02:35
• Dissatisfaction with GOP, Economic and Social Problems: 01:37–03:34
• Top Issues — Economy & Healthcare: 03:34–04:17
• Reproductive Rights & Broader Support for Families: 04:22–05:27
• Childcare & Working Families’ Struggles: 05:27–06:03
• Healthcare Desert & ACA Threats: 06:03–08:09
• The “Small Government” Paradox & Authoritarianism: 08:19–10:38
• Faith, Christian Nationalism, and Political Awakening: 11:04–12:22
• Campaign Help & National Stakes: 13:10–14:54

Tone & Language

• Candid, fiercely optimistic yet realistic
• Witty and colloquial (“full of sass,” “kick some ass”)
• Deeply empathetic for working Oklahomans, with biting criticism for hypocrisy and authoritarianism
• Compassionate, values-driven, and activist in approach

For Listeners

This episode is a primer in progressive, grassroots campaigning in “deep red” America. The conversation is rich with personal conviction, policy clarity, and calls to action, offering hope that even in Oklahoma, winds of change may be blowing—if enough people stand up, show up, and push back.

Learn more or get involved at: gina nelson.com