2024 Tulsa mayoral election

2024 Tulsa mayoral election

August 27, 2024 (first round) November 5, 2024 (runoff)

Candidate Monroe Nichols Karen Keith Brent VanNorman First round 18,729 33.10% 18,457 32.62% 18,019 31.84% Runoff 76,300 55.62% 60,873 44.38% Eliminated

Mayor before election G. T. Bynum Republican Elected Mayor Monroe Nichols Democratic

The 2024 Tulsa mayoral election was held on August 27, 2024, and November 5, 2024, to elect the mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Monroe Nichols won the runoff election, becoming the first Black Mayor of Tulsa.

Since no candidate received over 50% of the vote in the August election, Tulsa County commissioner Karen Keith and Nichols advanced to a runoff scheduled for November 5, 2024. Two-term incumbent mayor G. T. Bynum declined to run for a third term.

Background

With Mayor G. T. Bynum not seeking a third term as Mayor of Tulsa, speculation on who would campaign in 2024 began in a January 2023 Tulsa World article that included former state representative Carol Bush, Tulsa County commissioner Karen Keith, state senator David Rader, state representative Monroe Nichols, city councilors Phil Lakin and Jayme Fowler, and former attorney general John M. O'Connor as potential candidates.[1] By July, O'Connor, Bush and Lakin had all ruled out campaigns.[2]

On July 13, Nichols became the first candidate to launch a mayoral campaign with Keith following suit on August 13.[3][4] Fowler entered the race on September 5, but later dropped out in May 2024.[5][6] Businessman Casey Bradford entered the race in April 2024.[7] Businessman and attorney Brent VanNorman entered the race shortly before filing in June.[8] Kaleb Hoosier, John Jolley, and perennial candidate Paul Tay also filed to run for the office.[9][10]

Keith faced criticism during the campaign, including accusations related to her handling of a juvenile detention center scandal.[11] Additionally, controversies arose over her campaign's use of unauthorized photography and edited images in promotional materials, which drew public scrutiny.[12]

On August 27, Nichols and Keith advanced to a November 5 runoff election after placing in the top two during the August 27 election.[13] VanNorman announced his intention to file for a recount two days later.[14] The recount confirmed the results of the primary election.[15]

In September, Keith's access to the Democratic VAN (Voter Activation Network) database was revoked. The Oklahoma Democratic Party’s Central Committee made this decision after a 90-minute meeting, reversing an earlier allowance for Keith's Democratic field representative to use the system. Concerns were raised about the risk of Republican campaign workers on her team accessing sensitive data. Keith downplayed the impact, stating her campaign would incur additional costs and effort to gather the necessary voter information through alternative means.[16]

Nichols won the runoff election, becoming the first Black mayor of Tulsa and the first Democratic mayor elected since 2006.[17]

Candidates

Advanced to runoff

• Karen Keith, Tulsa County commissioner for the 2nd district (2008–present) (Democratic)[13]
• Monroe Nichols, state representative from the 72nd district (2016–present) (Democratic)[13]

Eliminated in primary

• Casey Bradford, businessman (Republican)[7]
• Kaleb Hoosier (Republican)[9]
• John Jolley[10]
• Paul Tay, perennial candidate[9]
• Brent VanNorman, accountant and attorney (Republican)[8]

Withdrawn

• Jayme Fowler, city councilor for the 9th district (2020–present) (Republican)[6]

Declined

• Carol Bush, former state representative for the 70th district (2016–2022) (Republican)[2] (running for city council)[18]
• G.T. Bynum, incumbent mayor (2016–present) (Republican)[1]
• Phil Lakin, city councilor for the 8th district (2011–present) (running for re-election)[2]
• John O'Connor, former Oklahoma Attorney General (2021–2023) (Republican)[2] (endorsed VanNorman)[19]
• David Rader, state senator for the 39th district (2016–present) (Republican)[2] (running for re-election)[20]

Endorsements

Karen Keith (D)

Mayors

• Rodger Randle, former Mayor of Tulsa (1988-1992)[21]

Labor unions

• IAFF Local 176[22]
• Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police[22]

Monroe Nichols (D)

Governors

• Brad Henry, former Governor of Oklahoma (2003–2011)[23]
• David Walters, former Governor of Oklahoma (1991–1995)[23]

State senators

• Jo Anna Dossett, state senator for the 35th district (2020–present)[24]

Mayors

• Kathy Taylor, former mayor of Tulsa (2006–2009)[24]

Local officials

• Diamond Marshall, member of the Tulsa Public Schools Board for the 2nd district (2023–2024)[25]
• Calvin Michael Moniz, member of the Tulsa Public Schools Board for the 2nd district (2024–present)[26]

Newspapers

• The Black Wall Street Times[27]
• Tulsa World[28]

Brent VanNorman (R)

Federal officials

• Kevin Hern, U.S. Representative from Oklahoma's 1st congressional district (2018–present)[21]

Statewide elected officials

• Frank Keating, Governor of Oklahoma (1995-2003)[29]
• John M. O'Connor, former attorney general of Oklahoma (2021–2023)[19]
• Kevin Stitt, Governor of Oklahoma (2019–present)[30]

State legislators

• Chris Banning, state representative for the 24th district (2022–present)[30]
• Rob Hall, state representative-elect for the 67th district[30]
• Dana Prieto, state senator for the 34th district (2022–present)[30]
• Mark Tedford, state representative for the 69th district (2022-present)[30]

Local officials

• Dave Been, former Chief of the Tulsa Police Department[30]

Organizations

• Tulsa County Republican Party[30]

Newspapers

• Tulsa Beacon[31]

Declined to endorse

Mayors

• G. T. Bynum, incumbent mayor of Tulsa (2016–present)[32]

General election

Debate

2024 Tulsa mayoral debate

No.	Date	Host	Moderator	Link	Participants
Key:  P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Non-invitee   I  Invitee  W  Withdrawn
					Keith	Nichols	VanNorman
1	August 8, 2024	NonDoc/KJRH	Tres Savage and Erin Christy	[33]	P	P	P

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[a]	Margin of error	Karen Keith	Monroe Nichols	Brent VanNorman	Other	Undecided
Strategy Management[34][A]	July 22–24, 2024	400 LV	± 3.5%	46%	20%	11%	1%[b]	21%

Results

2024 Tulsa mayoral election[35]

Candidate		Votes	%
Monroe Nichols		18,729	33.10
Karen Keith		18,457	32.62
Brent VanNorman		18,019	31.84
Casey Bradford		823	1.45
John Jolley		366	0.65
Kaleb Hoosier		105	0.19
Paul Tay		86	0.15
Total votes		56,585	100.00

Runoff

Results

2024 Tulsa mayoral election runoff[36]

Candidate		Votes	%
Monroe Nichols		76,300	55.62
Karen Keith		60,873	44.38
Total votes		137,173	100.00

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear
2. John Jolley with 1%; Casey Bradford, Kaleb Hoosier, and Paul Tay with 0%

Partisan clients

1. Poll commissioned by Build and Protect OK PAC

References

1. Canfield, Kevin (January 11, 2023). "Who is Tulsa's next mayor? These seven potential candidates are thinking about running". Tulsa World. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
2. Krehbiel, Randy (July 1, 2023). "Tulsa's mayoral field thins as longtime councilor joins two others on the sidelines". Tulsa World. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
3. Canfield, Kevin (July 13, 2023). "Monroe Nichols announces he's running for Tulsa mayor". Tulsa World. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
4. Canfield, Kevin (August 13, 2023). "Karen Keith announces candidacy for Tulsa mayor". Tulsa World. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
5. Canfield, Kevin (September 5, 2023). "City Councilor Jayme Fowler makes it official: He's running for mayor". Tulsa World. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
6. Canfield, Kevin (May 23, 2024). "City Councilor Jayme Fowler drops out of Tulsa mayor's race". Tulsa World. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
7. Canfield, Kevin (April 26, 2024). "Local business owner announces candidacy for Tulsa mayor". Tulsa World. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
8. Canfield, Kevin (May 31, 2024). "Brent VanNorman enters race for Tulsa mayor". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
9. Canfield, Kevin (June 10, 2024). "Few surprises in first day of filing for city of Tulsa municipal races". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
10. Casey, Bella (June 12, 2023). "Tulsa municipal election filings close; last-minute candidates join field". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
11. "We fact-checked the Tulsa mayoral debate". The Frontier. August 13, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
12. Osborne, Deon (October 18, 2024). "Karen Keith faces cease and desist for unauthorized photo". Black Wall Street Times. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
13. "Live Updates: Monroe Nichols, Karen Keith Advance To Runoff Election For Tulsa Mayor". KWTV-DT. August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
14. "Tulsa mayoral candidate Brent VanNorman to file for recount". KJRH-TV. August 29, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
15. Abrams, Ben (September 11, 2024). "Recount confirms Tulsa mayoral candidates headed to runoff". KOSU. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
16. Loveless, Tristan; Savage, Tres (September 7, 2024). "ODP database drama: 'Cut out' Keith irks fellow Democrats by blaming 'activists'". NonDoc. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
17. Aston, Alexia (November 5, 2024). "Monroe Nichols defeats Karen Keith in race for mayor of Tulsa". The Oklahoman. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
18. Canfield, Kevin (January 24, 2024). "Brookside town hall kicks off 2024 Tulsa mayor's race". Tulsa World. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
19. Abrams, Ben (May 31, 2024). "Businessman Brent VanNorman enters Tulsa mayoral race". Public Radio Tulsa. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
20. "OK Candidate Filing Beta". filings.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
21. "Former Tulsa Mayor Rodger Randle endorses Karen Keith". Public Radio Tulsa. August 22, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
22. "Former Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor endorses Monroe Nichols". Public Radio Tulsa. August 15, 2024. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
23. Prock, David (September 26, 2023). "Tulsa Mayoral Candidate Monroe Nichols Endorsed By Former Oklahoma Governors". KWTV-DT. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
24. Morris, Nate (September 7, 2023). "Monroe Nichols hosts official mayoral launch in Tulsa". The Black Wall Street Times. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
25. Morris, Nate (July 22, 2024). "Volunteers rally to support Monroe Nichols in mayoral race". Black Wall Street Times. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
26. Moniz, Calvin Michael (August 2, 2024). "OPINION: Monroe Nichols is the Mayor Tulsa Needs for True Progress" (Opinion). The Black Wall Street Times. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
27. "The Black Wall Street Times Editorial Board Endorses Monroe Nichols for Tulsa's 41st Mayor". The Black Wall Street Times. August 21, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
28. "Endorsement: Monroe Nichols is best choice as mayor for Tulsa's future". Tulsa World. August 17, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
29. Loveless, Tristan (August 28, 2024). "Monroe Nichols, Karen Keith reach Tulsa mayoral runoff". NonDoc. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
30. Bates, Michael (August 25, 2024). "Republican leaders (some) endorse Brent VanNorman". BatesLine. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
31. "Editorial: TULSA BEACON ENDORSEMENTS". August 22, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
32. Taylor, LeAnne (August 14, 2024). "'I'm staying out of it:' Tulsa Mayor Chooses not to Endorse any Candidates in the Mayoral Race". KOTV-DT. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
33. Link
34. Strategy Management
35. "OK Election Results". Retrieved August 27, 2024.
36. "November 5, 2024 Unofficial Results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved November 6, 2024.