4 races and 12 candidates. OKC city council election could lead to massive upheaval

Last July, 90 minutes of passionate public comment preceded a vote to reestablish a disbanded city commission.

On the city council of nine — eight ward representatives, plus the mayor — four were likely 'yes' votes, and four were likely and 'no.' One city councilman choked up as he said he had to "vote with my heart," which led him to vote in favor, though he knew it would be disappointing to some.

The Oklahoma City Human Rights Commission was narrowly reestablished by a 5-to-4 vote.

Those eight ward representatives, plus the mayor, carry heavy influence on the direction the city takes when voting on not just issues like the Oklahoma City Human Rights Commission, but also in approving the city budget, setting policy and levying taxes like the ones that have funded Metropolitan Area Projects since the 1990s, providing oversight to the city's police and fire services and more.

And on Feb. 14, Oklahoma City could see a massive shakeup to its city council as four wards will choose their representative in an election that represents nearly half the city's residents.

Former longtime Ward 4 Councilman Pete White said the flipping of just one city council seat rarely shakes things up, but, if the election changed a conservative vote to a progressive vote — "that would make a difference," White said, especially in critical votes the current council is divided on such as human rights issues, policing, homelessness and economic development.

Two of the city council's youngest and most progressive members — James Cooper and JoBeth Hamon — are both up for reelection this year after each serving one term, while a seat held by conservative accountant David Greenwell for nearly 12 years in southwest Ward 5 is up for grabs with hopeful candidates varying on the political spectrum. Mark Stonecipher, who tends to vote with the conservative majority and represents much of northwest Oklahoma City in Ward 8, is running for his third term in office against both a more conservative and more progressive candidate.

City council members serve four-year terms and are elected in odd-numbered years. Councilors receive a $12,000 annual salary and often serve on other city commissions and boards in addition to their service at city council meetings.

Georgie Rasco, who has directed the Neighborhood Alliance of Central Oklahoma for 22 years, said while city council elections traditionally have an extremely low turnout, they effect the city more than most realize.

"Your city council person, they have everything to do with deciding on roads, public safety, maintenance, parks, the way things are built around you, how things look in our city," Rasco said. "All of that is run through these basically volunteers that we elect every year ... And you can't take that lightly, that responsibility to elect the right person."

Oklahoma City Council elections:Check OKC ward map, where to vote and more

Election could bring more diversity to Oklahoma City Council, while progressive viewpoints could fluctuate

Candidates for city council run without political affiliation, but the Oklahoma City Council has, in recent history, held a more conservative-minded majority.

In votes where the council is not in agreement, a 6-3 split is common — with Councilmembers Cooper, Hamon and Nikki Nice in Ward 7 often voting in the minority. Occasionally, Mayor David Holt and Ward 4 Councilman Todd Stone join those three, like when the five voted to narrowly approve reinstating the Human Rights Commission.

With Cooper, Hamon and Stonecipher all fighting for reelection in their wards, plus the departure of Greenwell in Ward 5, it's unclear whether that conservative majority will strengthen, lessen or be flipped entirely.

White, who served on the city council from 1982 to 1989, and again from 2005 to 2017, said the dynamics of the council already have begun to shift. That's evident, he said, in the most recent iteration of MAPS, which includes millions of dollars for affordable housing, mental health and substance abuse treatment and supporting victims of domestic violence.

In addition to shifting priorities, the council has gained more diverse voices in recent years and could add even more this election.

What are the key issues? OKC residents share their concerns

Cooper is the council's first openly gay member. Nice and Hamon are the 10th and 11th women to serve on the council, respectively. Holt is the city's first Native American mayor.

Candidates in the running this election include Thuan Nguyen, an Asian American candidate for Ward 5, and Amy Warne, a Native American woman running for Ward 8.

Also in Ward 5, Audra Beasley is running on a platform of supporting all, especially those with disabilities. Beasley's son has severe developmental disabilities, and achieving accessibility for all OKC residents through better city planning is a priority to her campaign.

Check OKC Ward map

Here's who is running for Oklahoma City Council Ward 2

In Ward 2 — which encompasses northwest Oklahoma City neighborhoods like the Paseo Arts District and Belle Isle, and surrounds Nichols Hills — incumbent Cooper is being challenged by business owner Weston Storey.

Alexander DeShazo, 22, is on the ballot but told The Oklahoman the campaign was no longer a priority for him due to personal reasons.

Storey, 32, is the owner of Pristine Pest Control and has lived in Oklahoma City for 13 years. He graduated from Hydro-Eakly Public Schools in 2009. He said his top priorities as a city councilor would be to find solutions for Oklahoma City’s homeless population and to address the lack of affordable housing.

Cooper, 40, was first elected in 2019, and during his time on the council has advocated for alternative response to mental health 911 calls, prioritizing affordable housing to address homelessness and investing in public transit. A resident of Oklahoma City for 13 years, Cooper teaches English and film studies at Oklahoma City University. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma, and received a master's in English from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Oklahoma City University.

Meet Ward 2 candidates:Not sure if you live in OKC's Ward 2? Check here and meet your city council election candidates

Here's who is running for Oklahoma City Council Ward 5

In Ward 5 — which encompasses southwest Oklahoma City largely between Interstate 44 and S Santa Fe Avenue — Councilman David Greenwell stepped aside to make way for four candidates to run for his seat held since 2011. The candidates on the ballot are Jeff Owen, a nurse practitioner; Audra Beasley, paralegal; Thuan Hieu Nguyen, CEO of an independent insurance agency; and Matt Hinkle, Ward 5 planning commissioner.

Owen, 56, is a former Army drill sergeant and has been an Oklahoma City resident for 21 years. He received his Bachelor of Science in nursing from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and graduated with honors from Georgetown University's Family Nurse Practitioner School.

Beasley, 44, is a fifth-generation south OKC resident and is an estate planning and corporate management paralegal. She received her bachelor's in political science from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Nguyen, 46, serves on the city's Urban Design Commission and the MAPS 4 Citizens Advisory Board Connectivity subcommittee, and is the founder and owner of THN Insurance Solutions. A resident of Oklahoma City for 30 years, Nguyen escaped communist Vietnam for Midwest City in 1980. He received a bachelor's in biochemistry and a master's in biostatistics and epidemiology from the University of Oklahoma.

Hinkle, 60, has served on the Traffic Commission since 2018. An Oklahoma City resident for 37 years, Hinkle is the general manager of Tyler Media's Outdoor Advertising. Hinkle graduated from Norman Public Schools in 1980.

Meet Ward 5 candidates:Not sure if you live in OKC's Ward 5? Check here and meet your city council election candidates

Here's who is running for Oklahoma City Council Ward 6

In Ward 6 — which includes downtown and nearby neighborhoods like Classen-Ten-Penn, Stockyards City and Capitol Hill — incumbent Councilwoman JoBeth Hamon is being challenged by Marek Cornett, a business owner and the daughter-in-law of former Mayor Mick Cornett.

Hamon, 32, was elected to serve on city council in 2019 and during her time has advocated for more affordable housing, better public transit and reforming public safety in Oklahoma City. Hamon has lived in Oklahoma City for more than eight years and is the education coordinator at Mental Health Association Oklahoma. She received her bachelor's in family and community services from Oklahoma Baptist University.

Cornett, 39, has served on Oklahoma City's Traffic Commission since 2020, and says she wants to increase walkability and density in the ward, support first responders and seek solutions for Oklahoma City's unhoused population. Cornett has lived in Oklahoma City for 10 years and is the owner of digital marketing agency Alaine Digital. From the University of Oklahoma, she received her bachelor's in business administration in finance and a master's in public administration.

Meet Ward 6 candidates:Not sure if you live in OKC's Ward 6? Check here and meet your city council election candidates

Here's who is running for Oklahoma City Council Ward 8

In Ward 8 — the city's farthest north ward, which includes Quail Springs Mall, Lake Hefner and has its farthest boundary at NW 206 — incumbent Councilman Mark Stonecipher is being challenged on the left by Amy Warne, a dietitian, and on the right by Frank Urbanic, former mayoral candidate and defense attorney.

Stonecipher, 65, was elected to serve on the council in 2015 as a conservative voice advocating for investments in public safety, infrastructure and has served as vice president of the Oklahoma City Water Trust. Stonecipher is a lifelong Oklahoma City resident and is an attorney with the Fellers Snider firm. He received degrees from Oklahoma City University and the University of Oklahoma School of Law.

Warne, 46, is a registered and licensed dietitian and has served in health care since 2007. Warne is a lifelong Oklahoma City resident and holds bachelor's degrees in health care management and nutritional sciences, and a master's in business administration.

Urbanic, 42, ran against Holt in the 2022 election, receiving 20% of the vote. He is in the Air Force Reserve and is a criminal defense and civil rights attorney, having lived in Oklahoma City for 14 years. He received a bachelor's in business management from Texas A&M, a master's in business administration from the University of Oklahoma and his Juris Doctor from Texas Tech.

Meet Ward 8 candidates:Not sure if you live in OKC's Ward 8? Check here and meet your city council candidates

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: What's at stake for Oklahoma City Council elections, candidates?