Jenks, Glenpool plus school bond votes
After August 25, Tulsa’s City Council could have seven new members and a new mayor.
Two Councilors – Jeannie Cue and Phil Lakin – were re-elected because no one filed against them. Five city councilors will be on the ballot. The city will have at least one new city councilor since Councilor Ben Kimbro chose not to run again.
The August 25 ballot will have:
Tulsa municipal races, including for mayor and seven city councilors
- Five proposed changes to the Tulsa City Charter
- A Jenks City bond proposal
- Republican runoff races in Senate District 35, House District 71 and House District 79
- A Glenpool City sales tax vote
- School bonds in the Keystone and Berryhill school districts
Some people in Tulsa County won’t have a ballot at all since they don’t live in the city limits of Tulsa, Glenpool or Jenks or in the three legislative districts plus the Keystone and Berryhill school district.
Bynum, a former city councilor and former staffer for U.S. senators Don Nickles and the late Tom Coburn, faces Republican Ty Walker, a small business owner; Republican Ken Reddick, a small business owner; Independent Craig Immel; Democrat Zackri Leon Whitlow; Independent Paul Tay, a perennial candidate; and Democrat Gregory C. Robinson II, a community organizer.
(Democrat Ricco Wright has withdrawn from the race but his name will be on the ballot).
If any other candidates get 50% plus one vote, they win the seat. If no candidate gets more than 50%, the top two vote getters will be against each other on the November 3 ballot.
Tulsans will also vote on five propositions on August 25 that deal with political correctness; nonpartisan elections; control of authorities, boards and commissions; and the status/role of the city attorney.
Here are candidates for Tulsa City Council on the August 25 ballot.
District 1
Democrat Jerry Goodwin, professor and businessman, faces Democrat Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper.
District 2
Republican Councilor Jeannie Cue was unopposed.
District 3
Democrat Paul Eicher, an education worker, faces Democrat Councilor Crista Patrick, who owns a massage therapy business.
District 4
This field includes Republican Kathryn Lyons, a property manager; Democrat Councilor Kara Joy McKee; Democrat Landry Miller, a self-described political activist; Republican Casey Robinson, a Tulsa businessman
District 5
This field includes Democrat MyKey Arthrell, an “education specialist”; Republican Councilor Cass Fahler, a residential lender; Democrat Justin Schuffert; and Democrat Rachel Shepherd, a nurse and LGBTQ+ advocate.
District 6
The field has Republican Christian Bengel, a military veteran; Democrat Councilor Connie Dodson, a former Tulsa Transit worker; and Democrat Cheyenna Morgan, who wants to defund the police department.
District 7
Republican Chad Ferguson, a sales director for an insurance company, and Republican Justin Van Kirk, a businessman, are facing Democrat Councilor Lori Decter Wright.
District 8
Councilor Phil Lakin was unopposed.
District 9
Incumbent Councilor Ben Kimbro chose not to run again.
The candidates to replace him are Democrat Leeann Crosby, founder of Just A Push Foundation; and Republican Jayme Fowler, managing partner of Oak Creek Private Wealth LLC.
Tulsa City Charter changes
Voters within the city limits of Tulsa may vote on five proposed changes to the City Charter.
Proposition No. 1 would delete any references to partisan elections because Tulsa’s municipal elections are “nonpartisan.”
Proposition No. 2 would erase any “gender specific” pronouns or words in several sections of the City Charter.
Proposition No. 3 would allow the City Council and Mayor to remove members of authorities, boards and commissions by enacting an ordinance to do so.
Proposition No. 4 would amend the City Charter so that the city attorney would be appointed by the mayor and be under Civil Service protection, subject to confirmation by the City Council.
Proposition No. 5 would expand the duties of the city attorney to not only advise the mayor but also the city auditor and city councilors.
It would also allow the councilors to pass an ordinance that is disapproved by the city attorney.
Legislative races
State Senate District 35
The winner of the runoff between Republicans Cheryl Baber and Kyden Creekpaum will face Democrat Jo Anna Dossett on November 3. That Senate seat is open because Sen. Gary Stanislawski, R-Tulsa, is term limited.
U.S. Sen. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma, has publicly endorsed Baber.
State House District 71
Teacher Mike Masters faces attorney Beverly Atteberry in House District 71. The winner will face Rep. Denise Brewer, D-Tulsa.
State House District 79
Clay Iiams was the top vote getter in District GOP primary and Margie Alfonso came in second. The winner will face Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, one of the most liberal legislators in the state.
Jenks Bond Issue
This is a $20,500,000 proposed tax increase. It would:
- Widen Elm Street from 111th to 131st Street plus other improvements;
- Improve Main Street, including drainage work and additional sidewalks and lighting;
- Improve 106th Street from South Elm Street to the River District; and,
- Design and acquire right-of-way for Elwood Avenue from 91st to 121st streets.
City officials say the cost to homeowners will be $46 per $100,000 of the assessed value after the first year, which will cost between $75-$80 per $100,000 assessed value.
Glenpool Sales Tax
This is a vote to extend the one-penny sales tax first approved in 2001.
Berryhill Public Schools
The first proposition would be for 4-5 new school buses.
The second proposition would be for textbooks; construction at South Elementary and North Elementary; renovation of an elementary auditorium; a series of projects at the high school; four new classrooms at the middle school; improvements to the high school football facilities; new band uniforms and instruments; improvements to the high school baseball complex; track improvements; improvements to the fieldhouse; improvement to the wrestling room; upgrades for the middle school/high school cafeteria; new asphalt for some parking lots; work at the Administration Building and other maintenance items.
The bond package is $20,775,000.
Keystone Public Schools
The first proposition would replace a roof, install new flooring, air conditioning and security equipment. It would install new sidewalks, remodel the baseball field and buy textbooks.
The second proposition would be used for student transportation. The total bond package is $825,000.