Less than five months before the next round of city council elections, Ward 2 is the first confirmed race between multiple candidates.
James Cooper, 32, a resident of the Paseo neighborhood, has announced his intention to run for Oklahoma City council against incumbent Ed Shadid.
Cooper is an adjunct English professor at the University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University, where he also teaches film studies.
A 2007 graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Cooper also has a master of arts in English from Oklahoma State University.
“A passionate advocate for human rights and LGBT equality, Cooper is actively engaged in local and national political issues,” Cooper’s campaign said in a statement to Oklahoma Gazette. “He served as the vice president of the Young Democrats of Oklahoma from 2012 through 2014.”Cooper's campaign expects to become more visible in the coming weeks and has already established a Facebook page.
Shadid, who has announced his intention to seek re-election in 2015, is an independent and lost in his bid for mayor earlier this year against Mayor Mick Cornett.
Ward 2 is north of 23rd Street and includes neighborhoods between Hefner Pkwy and the Broadway Extension.
Stonecipher to seek Ward 8 seat
Mark Stonecipher, an oil and gas attorney and business owner, has announced his plan to run for Oklahoma City council in Ward 8.Current Ward 8 councilman Pat Ryan is not seeking reelection in the March 3 election.
Stonecipher said his experience as the president of his homeowner’s association and serving on the Oklahoma City Board of Adjustments has prepared him for public service and that he was asked by Ryan to consider a run for the council.
Council seats in wards 2, 5, 6 and 8 up for election in March. Council members Shadid, David Greenwell and Meg Salyer have already announced their plans to seek reelection.
