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    • Tulsa elects Monroe Nichols as its first black mayor
    Alabama

    Tulsa elects Monroe Nichols as its first black mayor

    Idris Bevan Posted on

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    According to unofficial results, Monroe Nichols defeated Karen Keith in the race for mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma’s second-largest city.

    The victory makes Nichols Tulsa’s first black mayor, a significant step given the city’s history of violence against black residents.

    Nichols, a state lawmaker, received 55.54% of the votes cast, while Karen Keith, a county commissioner and former local news anchor, received 44.46%, according to unofficial results that show 95% of precincts reporting.

    Nichols’ lead comes after an unusually close race in August, when Nichols and Keith were separated by less than 500 votes. Neither candidate received the 50% of the vote required for an overall victory, with Nichols receiving 33.1% of the vote while Keith received 32.6%.

    In 2016, Nichols became the first African-American representative elected to represent House District 72 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He is chairman of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus.

    Nichol’s campaign for Tulsa mayor focused on solutions to homelessness, investing in education, growing Tulsa’s economy and public safety.

    The victory reflects a new chapter in Tulsa’s history for its black residents. In 1921, one of the worst incidents of racial violence in U.S. history occurred in Tulsa. The massacre killed between 30 and 300 people, mostly black residents, and devastated Tulsa’s wealthy black neighborhood of Greenwood, then known as “Black Wall Street.” More than 1,400 homes and businesses were burned and nearly 10,000 people were left homeless. show less

    Keith has served as the Tulsa County Commissioner for District 2 since 2008. She also worked in broadcasting for 26 years, including 21 years at KJRH as an anchor, reporter and executive producer.

    Keith’s mayoral campaign focused on reducing homelessness, addressing public safety concerns, improving educational outcomes, and improving Tulsa’s infrastructure.

    Stay informed: Sign up for The Oklahoman’s Daily Briefing newsletter

    As the winner of the mayoral race, Nichols will succeed current Mayor GT Bynum, who was first elected in 2016. Bynum is stepping down to become vice president of community and government affairs for St. Francis Health System in Tulsa.

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    Idris Bevan
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