Tulsa Mayoral Debate: Candidates' Message To Republican Voters

The Tulsa mayoral debate between candidates Karen Keith and Monroe Nichols is currently underway. Both candidates are stepping down from their previous positions to run for mayor.

The mayor's office in Tulsa is a nonpartisan position; however, both of you are Democrats. A more conservative candidate lost in the primary election last month by less than 500 votes. What is your message to Tulsa Republicans?

Nichols: So when I started the campaign, it was all about issues, and I think that's why we were successful on August 27th, getting the most votes out of anybody in the race. We started the campaign just talking about how we're going to meet the needs of Tulsans, how we're going to end homelessness, how we're going to improve student outcomes, how we're going to expand our economy and make sure this is the safest big city in America. What I believe is that folks who are left of center or right of center just want a city that works better. They want to make sure that the roads are smooth and that the city budget is transparent, and that's how we are going to deliver, should Tulsans elect me. I've worked in the legislature now for eight years, and over those eight years, what I've learned is, is that it's not all about who gets credit, but it is about progress. That progress means that you got to work with a broad coalition of folks. We built that coalition campaign. We're going to leverage that coalition to lead after November 5th. And what I would tell folks is, hold me accountable. Hold me accountable to get it done, and I look forward to being your mayor.

Keith: Well, I think it's been clear my entire 16 years working at Tulsa County, I've been the lone Democrat, and I have worked I am nonpartisan. And the work that we do here in the mayor's office and at the county commission, you know, I will just say this, potholes are not red or blue. The work that we do is nonpartisan, and I have a record of doing this, of bringing money home for the levies, and just recently bringing money home from our state legislature. And my opponent, in eight years, has passed two bills. Now other democratic individuals have passed a whole lot more, but in about three days, I went up to the legislature, met with them, came back, met with the approps committee, and I brought home $50 million so arguably, I know I'm the one who knows how to get the work done, bring people together to do it, and I'm prepared to do that as your mayor, and I look forward to doing the work.