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Government

Political yearbook

Meet the class of Oklahoma’s newly elected officials.

The Nov. 6 election results ushered in a new class of elected officials in Oklahoma scheduled to begin work during the start of a new legislative session in February, or in some cases, before then. Oklahomans showed preference for female candidates like never before and demonstrated a newfound respect for political outsiders.

By Nazarene Harris Nov 30, 2018

election Kevin Stitt Drew Edmondson Kendra Horn Steve Russell Carrie Blumert Oklahoma City-County Health Department Carri Hicks Julia Kirt Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Nicole Miller Gateway Mortgage Group Sally’s List Women Lead Oklahoma Education Association Together We’re Stronger Emily Virgin Mike Hunter Randy McDaniel Matt Pinnell Nicole Miller John Waldron Tulsa Public Schools

Election penalty

Soon after her victory, Ward 7 councilwoman Nikki Nice lost her job with Perry Publishing.

The Nov. 6 election night results were cause for many across Oklahoma, including 38-year-old winner Nikki Nice, who won the open Ward 7 seat on Oklahoma City Council, to celebrate.

By Nazarene Harris Nov 21, 2018

Oklahoma City Council Nikki Nice Ward 7 Perry Publishing & Broadcasting Company Frances Kersey Larry McAtee James Greiner Ed Shadid Todd Stone David Greenwell Meg Salyer Mark Stonecipher Mick Cornett

In session

Nearly two dozen teachers from across the state won campaigns for office Nov. 6 and will fight to make education a priority.

Long before an estimated 30,000 teachers marched at the state capitol for 10 days in April, educators met with their state representatives and urged them to enact legislation that would increase school funding.

By Nazarene Harris Nov 20, 2018

teachers election school funding Mary Fallin teacher raise taxes Oklahoma Education Association OEA Together We’re Stronger Educator Caucus Carri Hicks John Waldron David Bullard Mary Boren Brenda Stanley Lundy Kiger Randy Randleman Sherrie Conley Ronny Johns Trish Ranson Ty Burns Jacob Rosecrants Toni Hasenbeck Melissa Provenzano Kelly Albright Dean Davis Deer Creek Public Schools Tulsa Public Schools Oklahoma City Public Schools Elizabeth Warren Northwest Classen High School

Ladies’ night

Women made history across the country (including Oklahoma) on election night.

Results from the Nov. 6 midterm elections were a cause for celebration for many as an unprecedented amount of women emerged triumphant nationally.

By Nazarene Harris Nov 13, 2018

midterm elections Veronical Escobar Sylvia Garcia Debra Haaland Ilahn Omar Rashida Tlaib Sharice Davids Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Kristi Noem Kendra Horn Steve Russell U.S. House District 5 Carrie Blubbert Oklahoma County Commissioner Willa Johnson Carrie Hicks Nicole Miller Oklahoma House of Representatives Oklahoma Senate Nikki Nice Oklahoma City Council

Balancing act

39-year old native Oklahoman David Holt is Oklahoma City’s youngest mayor and the latest to strive for balance as the city’s leader.

Oklahoma City’s 36th mayor, David Holt, said 1993 is the year everything changed for Oklahoma’s capital city.

By Nazarene Harris Nov 9, 2018

Oklahoma City David Holt Ron Norick Pei Plan MAPS MAPS 4 Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark Bricktown Canal Cox Convention Center Chesapeake Energy Arena Oklahoma River Kirk Humphreys Mick Cornett Mary Ann Fuller Holt Carl Albert OKC Talk Jim Couch Meg Salyer OKC Energy OKC Energy FC Bob Funk Jr. Steve Hunt Oklahoma City Chamber Hall Capital Steve Hill Karen Fox J.D. Baker Nikki Nice Rachel Holt Stroud Holt

School dance

Incumbent Joy Hofmeister faces off against Democrat John Cox and independent Larry Huff for state superintendent.

The incumbent Having served as Oklahoma state superintendent of public instruction for over three years, Joy Hofmeister said she’s not interested in ushering in new policies, should she be voted into a second term.

By Nazarene Harris Nov 2, 2018

state superintendent Larry Huff John Cox Joy Hofmeister Oklahoma state superintendent of public instruction

Governing counties

Political newcomers Carrie Blumert and Brad Reeves will face off for Oklahoma County District 1 Commissioner in Nov. 6’s general election.

The trailblazer Carrie Blumert epitomizes her life motto.

By Nazarene Harris Oct 31, 2018

Carrie Blumert Oklahoma County District 1 Commissioner Brad Reeves

Midterm movement

Oklahoma County votes on new leaders and five state questions Nov. 6.

CONGRESSIONAL OFFICERS U.S. Representative District 04 Tom Cole (R) Mary Brannon (D) Ruby Peters (I) U.S. Representative District 05 Steve Russell (R) Kendra Horn (D)

By Gazette staff Oct 30, 2018

Money men

Independent Charles de Coune and Republican Randy McDaniel face off in their run for state treasurer.

The challenger

By Nazarene Harris Oct 25, 2018

Charles de Coune Randy McDaniel Ken Miller Oklahoma State Treasurer Oklahoma

Pleading the 5th

Democratic candidate Kendra Horn is running against Republican incumbent Steve Russell to represent Oklahoma’s 5th congressional district.

The challenger

By Nazarene Harris Oct 23, 2018

Kendra Horn 5th congressional district Sally’s List women candidates Steve Russell U.S. Rep. Steve Russell Common Sense for Oklahomans Federal Election Commission election health care minimum wage economy Soldiers Relief Act Tongo Tongo ambush

Top job

Drew Edmondson and Kevin Stitt compete for the keys to the governor’s mansion.

The veteran

By Nazarene Harris Oct 12, 2018

Oklahoma Governor Drew Edmondson Kevin Stitt Mary Fallin

Victims unite

Victims’ rights advocates hope to enforce state laws designed to protect them with State Question 794, also known as Marsy’s Law.

When 45-year-old Oklahoma City mortgage loan officer Lauren Layman finally laid eyes on the man who raped and murdered her great-grandmother 35 years ago, she felt a little sorry for him.

By Nazarene Harris Oct 9, 2018

Lauren Layman Lester Blackbear Ola Kirk Crime Victims’ Compensation Program Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation OSBI Marsy’s Law Oklahoma Crime Victims Bill of Rights Kim Moyer Katrina Conrad-Legler victims’ rights Brian Hermanson

OK law

Oklahoma Gazette takes a look at the candidates for Oklahoma attorney general.

The incumbent

By Nazarene Harris Oct 5, 2018

Mike Hunter Mark Myles Oklahoma Attorney General Attorney General Cheryl Hunter Rachel Hunter Barett Hunter Brock Hunter Opioid University of Oklahoma School of Law Election Day November Election 2018

Long runner

Oklahoma City manager Jim Couch retires as the city’s longest-running manager on Jan. 2.

Oklahoma City manager Jim Couch announced his retirement on Sept. 17 and said he’s hoping to go out like Oklahoma State University/Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders.

By Nazarene Harris Sep 27, 2018

Oklahoma City Oklahoma City manager Jim Couch Barry Sanders Oklahoma City City Council Ed Shadid Sam Anderson Boom Town Alliance for Economic Development Cathy O' Connor MAPS Mick Cornett David Holt Ron Norick

Long-serving city manager for OKC to announce retirement

OKCTalk has learned that James D. Couch, city manager for Oklahoma City, plans to issue a press release later today announcing his retirement.

By Gazette staff Sep 17, 2018

Runoff victories

Oklahoma’s statewide runoff elections on Aug. 28 revealed which candidates will be on voting ballots for the Nov. 6 general election.

Governor

By Nazarene Harris Sep 4, 2018

runoff election Kevin Stitt Mick Cornett Oklahoma State Election Board Drew Edmondson Chris Powell Rex Lawhorn Oklahoma Libertarian Party Bill Shapard SoonerPoll Donald Trump Matt Pinnell Dana Murphy Anastasia Pittman Ivan Holmes Gentner Drummond Mark Myles Leslie Osborn Cathy Costello Joy Jofmeister Bob Anthony corporation commissioner Brian Bingman Ashley McCray Nikki Nice Kirk Pankratz Chris Harrison John Albert Pettis Sr. Lisa Butler Leslie Johnson Ed Alexander Margaret Walsh Mary Fallin general election

Operation politician

A former OU professor uses linguistics to launch progressive women candidates into office.

This past spring, applied linguistic scientist Daniela Busciglio was offered a tenured teaching position at University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island.

By Nazarene Harris Aug 28, 2018

Daniela Busciglio DFB Consulting linguistics University of Oklahoma debates key words Sally’s List Devyn Denton Katelyn Dockery cognitive-based communication communication

Runoff is on

A breakdown of candidates and their policies prepares voters for Tuesday’s runoff election.

With Election Day just around the corner, candidates have amped up their campaigning efforts while politics buffs add their predictions to the fray. Below is a breakdown of the candidates for seven critical runoff races that will appear on ballots statewide Aug. 28.

By Nazarene Harris Aug 23, 2018

Bill Shapard SoonerPoll Chris Powell Rex Lawhorn Mick Cornett Kevin Stitt Oklahoma Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Council Ward 7 Governor Mike Hunter Gentner Drummond Dana Murphy Matt Pinnell Joy Hofmeister Linda Murphy Mark Costello Cathy Costello Leslie Osborn Bob Anthony Brian Bingman John Albert Pettis Ed Alexander Kirk Pankratz Leslie Johnson III Nikki Nice Chris Harrison Lisa Butler Margaret Walsh