One Ward III race forces a runoff; Martindale wins in Ward IV

Cathy Spaulding, Muskogee Phoenix, Okla.
·3 min read

Feb. 13—Consultant Coby McQuay and elementary school teacher Melody Cranford will face each other in a runoff election for a Ward III seat on the Muskogee City Council.

In a three-person race Tuesday to finish an unexpired term, McQuay received 255 votes, or 47.57 percent, and Cranford received 185 votes, or 34.51 percent. Sheila Crutcher, who retired from Muskogee County Election Board, received 96 votes, or 17.91 percent, according to unofficial results from the Oklahoma Election Board.

The runoff is set for April 2.

Cranford, who teaches fifth grade at Cherokee Elementary, said she had expected a runoff.

"We have some ideas about how to move forward, maybe have some sort of debate, since it will just be the two of us," Cranford said, adding that she knew of people who were torn between her and Crutcher.

"Sheila and I had worked together on a few things, so I think that was very difficult for people," Cranford said. "A lot of people who had gone to school with her, I knew them very well, but they had allegiances to her. That's respectable, I honored that."

McQuay could not be reached for comment.

The seat is currently held by Perline Boyattia-Craig.

Ward I

Retired Muskogee Police officer C.B. Abel defeated two opponents, plus one who had withdrawn, for the Ward I seat being vacated by Patrick Cale.

Abel received 573 votes, or 74.22 percent; Mike Brawley and Ashley Davis each received 88 votes, or 11.40 percent each. Ricky Epperson, who withdrew from the race, received 23 votes, or 2.98 percent.

Ward II

Muskogee Public Schools police officer Dan Hall defeated business owner Ryan Lowe for the Ward II seat being vacated by Alex Reynolds.

Hall received 567 votes, or 64.58 percent. Lowe received 311 votes, or 35.42 percent.

"I'm looking forward to working with all the new councilors and some of the old councilors," Hall said. "I'm hoping we can get some stuff going as far as infrastructure and manufacturing facilities coming in. Try to grow Muskogee, try to work together as a team and get things moving."

Ward III

Incumbent Ward III councilor Derrick Reed defeated home builder Travis Bearden for another full term. Reed received 422 votes, or 78.73 percent. Bearden received 114 votes, or 21.27 percent, according to unofficial election board results.

Reed said he's "overjoyed and honored to serve another four years."

"Our best days are ahead," Reed said. "We have some great things going. We've got a great mayor coming on board and I look forward to working with the new team."

Ward IV

Incumbent Ward IV councilor Traci McGee lost her reelection bid to Tom Martindale, Coordinator for Muskogee County Mental Health Court and Community Sentencing.

Martindale received 386 votes, or 57.44 percent. McGee, an insurance agent and entrepreneur, received 286 votes, or 42.56 percent.

Martindale said his campaign team made a great effort.

"I'm sure there are a number of people who don't know me personally, but have heard of me," he said. "My plans now are to get on the council and learn as much as I can in as short a time as I can."

McGee said she believes that when the voters speak, "you just accept the results."

"You win some, you lose some," McGee said. "The people of Muskogee spoke. They want a new Ward IV city council person and they got it."

McGee said she plans to continue to be involved with Muskogee.

"The plans for me are to continue to do what I do in the community and to continue to fight for the city of Muskogee. I think I understand the political game, to raise somebody up to be ready to run."