By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
David Holt will begin a second term as Oklahoma City’s mayor this spring after a strong showing in the Feb. 8th election.
Holt defeated three challengers Feb. 8, claiming 59.81% of the 60,756 votes cast across 234 polling precincts in four counties – including Canadian County.
Other finishers were attorney Frank Urbanic (19.93%), businesswoman Carol Hefner (13.64%) and college professor Jimmy Lawson (6.62%).
Since Holt received more than 50% of all votes cast in this week’s mayoral election, there is no need for the April 5th runoff.
Holt was the favorite among Canadian County voters by a 48.25% majority. Other finishers were Urbanic (33.87%), Hefner (15.38%) and Lawson (2.5%).
Some 5,246 votes were cast in the Oklahoma City mayor’s race in Canadian County, where 22 precincts were open in 19 polling places.
- Incumbent Holt saw similar support in Cleveland County, garnering 48.04% of 7,411 votes tallied across 26 precincts.
- Holt’s strongest backing came in Oklahoma County, where he earned 62.89% of 48,097 votes cast in 185 precincts.
- There was one precinct open in Pottawatomie County, where Hefner received the two votes that were tallied.
- Voter turnout was the highest since 1959 in an Oklahoma City mayoral election.
Holt’s campaign focused on political unity.
“We are not a red city, a blue city, or even a purple city. We are Oklahoma City,” he said after declaring victory Tuesday night.
Mayor Holt referred to the “American experiment” of the past two centuries.
“We have understood from the beginning that this republic cannot move forward without pluralism, compromise, pragmatism,” he said. “We have to put aside the things that divide us and find common purpose.
“That’s what made America great and it’s what made Oklahoma City great. Tonight, again, we have recommitted to this ideal. We have protected Oklahoma City’s unique political culture.”
With this week’s election win, Mayor Holt’s new four-year term will begin at the April 12th Oklahoma City Council meeting.
A POLITICAL PARTY VICTORY
Earlier in his Tuesday night victory speech, he pointed out Oklahoma City is “basically half Republican, half Democrat with some Independents mixed in.”
“But almost two-thirds of us voted the same way today,” Holt added. “This is a political victory party. And I am looking out at a crowd of Republicans, Democrats and Independents. There is no other political victory party in America that will look the same as this one in 2022.
“And I look up and also see people of every ethnicity, many nationalities, people of every religion, people who are LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning), Native Americans, people who are from northwest, northeast, southwest, and northeast.”
Three prominent unions that represent Oklahoma City employees endorsed Holt in this race – Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 123, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 157 and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2406.
Holt became Oklahoma City’s 36th mayor on April 19, 2018, having been elected that February by a 78.5% vote majority.
During Holt’s first term in office, his signature achievement was development and passage of MAPS 4 – a nearly $1 billion package that will address 16 critical challenges and opportunities.
Oklahoma City has enjoyed a low unemployment rate, soaring population growth and strong economy while he’s been mayor.
Holt is a licensed attorney who works for a family-owned investment company in Oklahoma City.
Holt spent almost eight years in the Oklahoma Senate. He served five years as chief of staff to his predecessor, former Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett.
Holt previously worked for a U.S. House speaker, a U.S. president, lieutenant government, and members of the U.S. House and Senate.
