Claremore City Council Winner Unable To Serve District After Ward Seat Mistake

A Claremore City Council candidate who won her election this week will not be able to take office after realizing she doesn’t live in the ward she was elected to win.

The city said it was an honest mistake and leaders are trying to figure out what to do now.

When the votes were tallied on Tuesday’s election day, Emily Chester was declared the winner over Ward 2 incumbent Brian Callender. The problem is, Chester lives a few blocks away in Ward 3.

City Manager John Feary said a sitting councilmember has to live in the ward they were elected to, per the city’s charter. Once Chester realized the mistake, she reached out to the county election board and to the city.

“She let me know that she had made a mistake on the declaration of candidacy when she filed it at the county election board,” said Feary.

Rogers County Election Board secretary Julie Dermody said the mistake was not brought to light earlier because nobody contested Chester’s candidacy after the filing period. Dermody tells News On 6 her staff has to accept filing packets as they are when turned in.

“Apparently she just got her commission district mixed up with her ward seat,” said Feary.

Chester referred News On 6 to the city for comment. She released a statement through Feary, saying: “Thank you, Claremore, for placing your trust and confidence in me. Once I realized my error, I contacted the Rogers County Election Board, and proceeded as directed. I have complete confidence the Ward 2 councilor will fill the seat with Claremore’s best interests at the forefront, and I look forward to serving our great city in the future.”

Feary said Callendar was the only other person who ran in the race. Leaders are now trying to figure out what to do since there is no provision for this specific situation.

Feary and the sitting councilors expect to receive an opinion from the city attorney on how to proceed with the vacant seat.