Monroe Nichols defeats Karen Keith in race for mayor of Tulsa
Monroe Nichols has defeated Karen Keith in the race to become the mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma's second-largest city, according to unofficial results.
The win makes Nichols the first Black mayor of Tulsa, which is a significant step in light of the city's legacy of violence toward Black residents.
Nichols, a state legislator, received 55.54% of votes cast with Karen Keith, a county commissioner and former local news anchor, receiving 44.46%, according to unofficial results that show 95% of precincts reporting.
Nichols' lead comes after an unusually tight race in August when fewer than 500 votes separated Nichols and Keith. Neither candidate collected the required 50% of the vote for an outright victory, with Nichols drawing 33.1% of the vote, while Keith received 32.6%.
In 2016, Nichols became the first African American lawmaker elected to represent House District 72 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He serves as the chair of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus.
Nichols' campaign for mayor of Tulsa focused on solutions for homelessness, investing in education, expanding Tulsa's economy and public safety.
The win reflects a new chapter in Tulsa's history for its Black residents. In 1921, Tulsa was the site of one of the most severe incidents of racial violence in U.S. history . The massacre left between 30 and 300 people dead, mostly Black residents, and destroyed Tulsa's prosperous Black neighborhood of Greenwood , known at the time 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 Tulsa County Commissioner for District 2 since 2008. She also spent 26 years in broadcasting with 21 years at KJRH as an anchor, reporter and executive producer.
Keith's mayoral campaign focused on reducing homelessness, addressing public safety concerns, enhancing education outcomes and improving Tulsa's infrastructure.
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As the winner of the mayoral race, Nichols will succeed current Mayor G.T. Bynum, first elected in 2016. Bynum is stepping down to become vice president of community and government affairs for the St. Francis Health System in Tulsa.
