Karen Keith And Monroe Nichols Head To Runoff In Tulsa Mayoral Race‌   ‌

Karen Keith and Monroe Nichols are running in the general runoff election for Mayor of Tulsa on November 5, 2024.

Seven candidates ran in the August 27 general election. No candidate received a majority of the vote, requiring a runoff. Nichols received the most votes with 33.1%, Keith received the second most with 32.6%. Brent VanNorman was the third-highest vote-getter in the general election with 31.8%. Incumbent G. T. Bynum did not run for re-election.

Keith and Nichols are both affiliated with the Democratic Party. Tulsa voters have not elected a Democratic mayor since Kathy Taylor was elected in 2006. The last two mayors, Bynum and Dewey Bartlett Jr., were both affiliated with the Republican party.

The November runoff will be the first time since voters passed an initiative to eliminate partisan city officer elections in 2011 that all mayoral candidates have been Democrats. This is also the second time since Tulsa started holding nonpartisan municipal elections that a mayoral race has advanced to a runoff. The first time was in 2013. This is Tulsa’s fourth mayoral election since switching to a non-partisan election system, meaning 50% of mayoral elections under the non-partisan system have advanced to a runoff.

Keith has served on the Tulsa County Board of Commissioners since 2008. Before holding elected office, she was a television news anchor, reporter, and executive producer, and Director of Community Relations and Vision Implementation for former Tulsa Mayor Bill LaFortune.

Keith is running on her record. Her campaign website says, “From addressing issues at the county jail to combating crime, working on juvenile justice, improving our streets, and addressing homelessness, Karen has a track record of leadership and getting things done.” In a campaign video on her website, Keith said, “My vision for Tulsa is quite straightforward: A city that’s safe, with top-notch schools, well-maintained streets and abundant opportunities and affordable housing… You can be sure I will stand up for public education.”

Nichols has served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives representing District 72 since 2016. Before he was elected, he was a mayoral aide, chief of staff to a university president, and an economic development director. Nichols also serves as the Director of Policy and Partnerships for StriveTogether, a national nonprofit focused on student success.

Nichols’ campaign website said, “During his career at the capitol, he has been a leading voice on education, healthcare, criminal justice reform, and economic growth.” As mayor, Nichols’ campaign website says he “will work tirelessly to end homelessness, invest in education, expand our economy, and ensure Tulsa is the safest big city in America.”

Tulsa does not have term limits for the position of mayor. Mayors serve a four-year term.

As of August 2024, the partisan breakdown of mayors of the 100 largest U.S. cities is 63 Democrats, 25 Republicans, one Libertarian, four independents, and five nonpartisans. Two mayors’ partisan affiliations are unknown.

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