In late May 2017, current Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett announced his official intention to run for governor of Oklahoma via Twitter:
Next week I’ll be filing the papers and making it official that I’ll be a candidate for Governor. Our work is just beginning for Oklahoma. pic.twitter.com/FOFrApxQMM
— Mick Cornett (@MickCornett) May 31, 2017
The announcement began the end of what will be a 14-year term — the longest in OKC history — for Cornett, who also served as 2016-2017 President of The United States Conference of Mayors.
At first, Cornett’s announcement drew competition from experienced politicians and newcomers alike, but the mayoral candidate field had narrowed by December filing to include only three: Sen. David Holt (R-OKC), Taylor Neighbors and Randall Smith.
The trio will appear on a nonpartisan ballot for the OKC mayor race in a primary election Tuesday, Feb. 13. Voters registered in the City of Oklahoma City can cast their ballots at their local precinct (find yours here). If no candidate receives a majority of the votes, a general election will take place April 3.
David Holt, 38
Profession: Director of investor relations, marketing and public relations for Hall Capital, an OKC-based investment company with directors in four states.
Experience: Since 2010, District 30 state senator from Oklahoma City; chief of staff to current Mayor Mick Cornett for five years prior
Platform: Infrastructure improvements for streets and transit; funding police and fire protection; promoting jobs; improving quality of life through supporting public education
Links: Website | Facebook
Taylor Neighbors, 21
Profession: Undergraduate pre-law student studying piano at the University of Oklahoma
Experience: Political newcomer
Platform: Neighbors’ states in the About section of her Facebook campaign site (linked below) that she seeks to “… give the people a higher standard …” and “… stand up to the liars and child molesters that threaten conservatism …”.
Links: Facebook
Randall Smith, 59 (online photo unavailable)
Profession: Retired
Experience: 20 years as an internal auditor for the State of Oklahoma
Platform: As reported Jan. 18 in the Oklahoma Gazette, Smith is not campaigning, but he was quoted as favoring progressive goals such as publicly available high-speed internet access and renewable energy sources.
Links: n/a
(Correction: This article was updated at 1:37 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, to note that this is a normal election cycle.)
