TULSA, Okla. — Oklahoma Representative Monroe Nichols won the election for Mayor of Tulsa on Nov. 5.
Voters elected Nichols as a State Representative for House District 72 (Tulsa, Turley and Owasso) in 2016.
Monroe is going to be Tulsa's first Black mayor. He gave his acceptance speech in front of images of Black Wall Street in the days before the Tulsa Race Massacre.
WATCH his acceptance speech:
Prior to being elected, Nichols served as an aide to former Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor, chief of staff to former OU-Tulsa President Gerry Clancy, economic development manager at the Oklahoma State Department of Career and Technology Education, and director of business retention and expansion programs for the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce.
He began his campaign for mayor last year and gained traction in August after the debate hosted by 2 News and Nondoc.
During the August primary, he and Karen Keith shared 33% of the vote, forcing a runoff race.
After the results, he spoke at his watch party, reiterating his promise to end homelessness and expand Tulsa’s economy.
"We're not going to be a city that marks time. We may not always agree on a pathway to greatness, but we will always be united in our commitment to get there, and I will be an honest leader,” Nichols said.
Monroe won with over 15,000 votes more than his opponent, Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith.
She conceded to Monroe on Tuesday night, saying she is deeply grateful for her supporters and that Tulsa will continue to move forward.
"It is time for us to wholeheartedly put our support behind Monroe Nichols as mayor for Tulsa,” Keith said.
Business owners and residents from north Tulsa and the Greenwood District are optimistic about Nichols's planned policies.
"Black, white or whatever, we need somebody that'll work for this city, for every citizen," T's Barbershop on Black Wall Street owner Willie L. Sells, Sr. told 2 News on Nov. 6.
"He informed one of my valued customers that he could beat Karen Keith. And my customer said he couldn't beat Karen Keith."
Over at Sweet Lisa's Café, Ty Mason said he is excited after seeing the victory speech in person.
"Last night, it was a celebratory moment for Tulsa," Mason said. "But as a whole, we saw some other changes happening that I looked at as a lot bigger."
For all the historical recognition Greenwood has attained in recent years, it's no secret some disagreements persist between stakeholders and city leadership.
Those 2 News spoke with hope Mayor-Elect Nichols can help bridge those gaps.
"I really hope so. Tulsa has a long way to go," longtime Tulsa resident Everlean Wilson said.
"A lot of stuff has gotten missed in the Black community," Mason said. "This is one of those times where we can kind of rejoice a little bit."
"I believe it's a blessing," Sells said. "My prayers are that things will work well for him. And I believe he wants to help the city. And when he helps the city, he's gonna help the state."
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