OKLAHOMA CITY—Longtime Oklahoma attorney and minister Jim Priest has entered the race for the U.S. Senate, seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Oklahoma’s junior senator, Markwayne Mullin, in November.

Priest said his decision came after months of reflection and conversations with his family, driven by concerns about the country’s direction and the tone of modern politics.

“I think a lot of people feel the way I do, that the country is heading in a direction that we’re not comfortable with,” Priest said. “There should be a combination of justice and mercy and humility.”