Cornett will face at least one opponent in Ward 2 Oklahoma City Councilman Ed Shadid, who is running for the mayor’s seat. Shadid was elected to the council in April 2012.

“Our work’s not done yet. I am running for re-election as your mayor, so that we can continue Oklahoma City’s renaissance together,” Cornett wrote this morning on the campaign’s Facebook account.

Cornett was in his first term on the city council when he was elected mayor in 2004. He was re-elected in 2006 and 2010.

During that time, Oklahoma City has seen major changes with projects connected to MAPS for Kids, a 2007 general obligation bond issue and MAPS 3. City voters approved the $835 million bond issue in 2007, and then voted for a temporary 1-cent sales tax increase for the MAPS 3 projects valued at $777 million.

MAPS 3 projects include a new downtown convention center, a streetcar system, new trails and sidewalks, four senior wellness centers, a 70-acre downtown public park and improvements to the Oklahoma River and the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds.

At times, Shadid has questioned funding some of the MAPS 3 projects, particularly the $120 million streetcar system, which he contends is unnecessary. The councilman has argued that money could be better spent upgrading the Metro Transit bus service.

The primary election is March 4. A general election, if needed, would be held April 1. Candidates must file for office Jan. 29-31.

The mayor receives $24,000 in annual compensation.

The mayor’s race, which is nonpartisan, is decided by a citywide vote.

Ed Shadid

Cornett is a former video production consultant and television sportscaster. Shadid is a spinal surgeon.

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This article appears in Jul 31 – Aug 6, 2013.

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