Mayor elections call for a runoff as results are too close.
Earlier this week, mayoral elections took place for Tulsa’s new general mayor position. Seven candidates ran for this role. The most prominent included Monroe Nichols, Karen Keith, Brent VanNorman, Casey Bradford and John Jolley. 270toWin reported Nichols, working as a state representative, received the highest vote percentage of 33.1% with 18,279 votes. Keith, the Tulsa County Commissioner, followed with 18,457 votes and a percentage of 32.6% recorded by 270toWin. Lastly 270toWin concluded VanNorman, a businessman, came in third place getting 18,019 votes and a percentage of 31.8%. Oklahoma as a state requires a majority winner in most of its primary elections, including this one. In this type of election, an outright victory is won if the highest percentage of votes is above 50% for one singular candidate which none achieved. 270toWin announced unfortunately this result called for a runoff which is currently scheduled for Nov. 5. Some are now forced to make the decision between two candidates they may not necessarily want.
270toWin confirmed a qualifying poll was surveyed before the election and the results released in early August dictated the first top three candidates as listed above would receive at least 10% of votes. This became true in the election results. Predictions led to a mayoral debate on Aug. 15 between Nichols, Keith and VanNorman. 270toWin disclosed VanNorman held the position of Republican and Nichols and Keith were Democratic. The same poll with 270toWin predicted Keith would lead the election with 46% support over her other competitors, which was not true.
The Oklahoman reminded readers if Nichols won the runoff, he would be the first Black mayor in Tulsa, making way for a new legacy for Tulsa’s Black residents. Tulsa’s Race Massacre in 1921 was one of the largest massacres in US history with so much land and space destroyed over a short time span. The streets of Greenwood were destroyed alongside homes, places of worship and employment specifically for Black people. Representation like Nichols holds such importance to many members of the community in Tulsa for this reason.
The runoff is scheduled for Nov. 5. News9 told us the official voting was recorded as one of the closest mayoral races Tulsa has had in a long time with the top two candidates separated only by 300 votes. News9 informed readers of Monroe Nichols’ time served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives since 2016 and his time served in the mayor’s office beforehand under a former mayor, Kathy Taylor. News9 reported Nichols served as the chair of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus, claiming he has been a leader when it comes to “economic growth, education, criminal justice reform and health care” when he worked at the Capitol. Nichols argues his experience sets him apart from the other candidates. However, Keith argues how she holds the tools to step in and make changes the city needs. News9 informed readers Keith formerly worked as Mayor Bill LaFortune and then became Tulsa’s County Commissioner in 2008. Keith claims her experience in these areas allow her to have knowledge about the office and how to improve downtown Tulsa.
Ballotpedia News told us how Nichols’ priorities include decreasing homelessness as much as possible, governing with tribal nations and improving student initiatives. Nichols also passed a policy allowing police to give warnings without a nonviolent misdemeanor warrant. Presumably this bodes well with many people who feel safer without police targeting them directly. Keith, on the other hand, wants to focus on working with first responders and improving the building permit process, making it easier to promote gaining permission for new facilities told Ballotpedia News. This decision would be popular with many as some parts of Tulsa could be updated.
