In the race are incumbent Breea Clark, Bob Thompson, Dr. Nicole Kish, Larry Heikilla and Alice Stephenson-Leuck. I am not in favor of the school bond, Im not in favor of any of the transportation bonds. Midway Bob, Dr. Kish, Ms. Leuck, and again, mayor-elect Heikkila, I wish you the very best.. online throughout the pandemic. At a watch party Tuesday night, Clark told supporters she will weather the loss. Norman voters have chosen Larry Heikkila to be the city's next mayor, preliminary election reports indicated Tuesday. After that meeting, the police department has since restructured and created a community service and outreach bureau, more specific to building neighborhoods, building relationships, and better targeting at crimes.. NORMAN Larry Heikkila won a first term as mayor of Norman on Tuesday, unseating incumbent Breea Clark. The 2022 Norman, Oklahoma, mayoral election was held on February 8, 2022, with Larry Heikkila and Breea Clark going in the runoff. He also wants the city to cut red tape and speed up the permitting process for businesses in order to spur more development. In 2019, propositions for stormwater utility bond projects and a stormwater utility fee received 42.62 percent and 39.68 percent yes votes, respectively. During her tenure as mayor, the Norman City Council allocated CARES Act funding, Norman remains the largest city in Oklahoma without a dedicated stormwater utility. UPDATED: Heikkila edges out Clark in mayoral race. in Political Science from Wichita State University in 2005. Affordable housing has always been the missing piece in Norman, and something that Norman has kind of always struggled with.. While the decision still resulted in an overall budget increase for NPD, the meeting encouraged the formation of Unite Norman. Breea is registered to vote in Cleveland County, Oklahoma. "For example, our current Mayor and Council have dedicated City resources for the welfare of the transient population, which has become a detriment to the City, our citizens and local businesses.". Clark said the issue remains too important to continue administering band-aid solutions. She also supported the city council ordinance requiring masks in public. In addition to her role with the City of Norman, she serves as the Director of the JCPenney Leadership Center in the Michael F. Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma. He said that the failure of city government to deliver on the Norman FORWARD project, including the construction of a new senior center, had eroded public trust. On Tuesday, the total ballooned to more than 24,000. She also wants the city to vote on reallocating Norman Forward dollars generated from a 15-year sales tax increase intended to fund quality-of-life improvements across the city. I want to say thank you to my supporters and all the volunteers and communities that rolled out, Clark said Tuesday. Members of a Facebook group opposing Normans COVID response sent Clark death threats online in May 2020, and Clark said she was continually targeted and harassed online throughout the pandemic. Larry Heikkila defeated incumbent Norman Mayor Breea Clark on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. I love Norman, Hickman said. The turnout in Tuesdays election significantly eclipsed the turnout in 2019. [2] General Results [ edit] On campus, she has served on the Universitys Legal Panel, Speakers Bureau and as an interim Pre-Law Club Advisor. 405-876-9216. Who is rating Clark ? Norman Mayor Breea Clark wasnt always certain she would pursue a second term after a tumultuous three years in office. To achieve this transformation, the management of it must be pragmatic, productive and visionary, and must redefine Norman into a city of excellence. Larry Heikkila has defeated Breea Clark and clinched the position of Mayor in the recent election. 210.65.88.143 Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a27ac526b8852e3 Snell had served on the school board for more than two decades. He serves at the Cleveland County Detention Center and at Mission Norman as a Chaplain endorsed by the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. One of the silver linings of the pandemic is people really did start paying attention to local government more, and regardless of what side you're on, I don't think that's a bad thing, Clark said. She faced criticism for the city's response to the pandemic and for a vote over the city's police force that many deemed as "defunding". Bill Hickman, the current Norman Ward 4 council member, works as an attorney and small-business owner. While the decision still resulted in an overall budget increase for NPD, the meeting encouraged the formation of Unite Norman. She also serves as a member of the Oklahoma Municipal League Board of Directors and the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments Board of Directors. I am grateful and humbled for the votes I received in Norman, Kish said in a prepared statement. Breea Clark is the 60th Mayor for the City of Norman. We believe The 13h. The conservative candidatehas been criticized for being in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021, for a rally led by former President Donald Trump, although Kish says she was nowhere near the U.S. Capitol when a pro-Trump mob stormed the building. Kish was endorsed by Unite Norman, a group that formed in the summer of 2020 to restore police funding after the council reallocated $865,000 from the Norman Police Departments proposed budget increase. I think theres a lack of trust with what they did with our money.. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Political Experience keyboard_arrow_down. Municipal actions and municipal policies can change the way Oklahoma brands itself and how Oklahoma can go from being one of the least-desirable states to being a leader in shaping our foreign policy and shaping our domestic policy, Dunn said. Cockfighting fight turns back time at Oklahoma Capitol, The awkward family affair of Gov. Breea Clark, the incumbent, had been mayor since 2019. Grant won 54.41 percent of the vote, compared to 45.59 for Hobson. "We were the first todeclare a state of emergency," she said. Heikkila was endorsed by Cleveland County Commissioners Darry Stacy and Harold Haralson, the local fraternal order of police and the firefighters union, among others. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to stretch those federal dollars, build partnerships and collaborate to solve long-standing problems in our community.. Low near 40F. She teaches several undergraduate courses, includingIntroduction to LeadershipandLeadership in International Settings. There arent just parts of Norman, little pockets, having this issue. Dunn spoke on his vision for Norman and set lofty goals for the citys role in national politics. Experience: Before her election. When our city council made Norman the first city in Oklahoma to commit to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2035, the community was all for it. Reach her atmwood@normantranscript.com or 405-416-4420. Kish said she was grateful to supporters, and intends to work with the next mayor. By July 2020, the group attempted to trigger a recall election for Clark and several Norman city council members. (They asked), Why would you want the progress youve made to be undone, Clark said. Votes . President Joe Biden, a Democrat, won the electiondespitewidely debunked claims of election fraud spread by Trump and his supporters. Don't Threaten. Three years ago, the police union endorsed Clark, but the group rescinded its endorsement after the 2020 vote on the police budget that led the Norman Police Department to eliminate nine unfilled officer positions. Norman mayor-elect Larry Heikkila Norman's new mayor will be Larry Heikkila, who is far to the right of the more progressive Clark, as he made clear in a campaign ad earlier this year. received 42.62 percent and 39.68 percent yes votes, I know theres a candidate (Bob Thompson), trying to say that we shouldnt be red or we shouldnt be blue, and I absolutely agree, Clark said. We make a whopping $100 a month to do this, so its certainly not for the money. As mayor, Dunn said his first priority would be for people to understand the need to conserve oil and fossil fuels in society. Clark and Hickman were united on the removal of the University North Park TIF. Clark said the issue remains too important to continue administering band-aid solutions. For more information on where, when and how to vote, visit the Cleveland County Election Board website. Dunn is the only candidate who does not support the stormwater utility bond. The 2020 presidential election spurred a wave of voting laws that some say could restrict access to the polls. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. When asked to provide evidence of her claim,Stephenson-Leuck, who is retired, cited statistics that homelessness and gambling cango hand-in-hand, but she had no Norman-specific data to show the casino is contributing to homelessness in the city. Heikkila received 53.39% of the votes, beating incumbent Breea Clark. He is a member of the Norman Chamber of Commerce. E-mail:breea@ou.edu Liberal Oklahoma Mayor Faces Recall Posted August 16th, 2020 by Iron Mike Unite Norman just turned in 20,560 signaturesin their attempt to force a recall election of their new mayor - Breea Clark. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Heikkila got 32 percent of the primary vote, and Clark received 36.5 percent. She cited Norman's low unemployment rate and record sales tax revenue as signsthe city's economy is strong. Clark said she had not heard from other candidates, but was working to contact them. Heikkila received 53.39 percent of the vote, compared to 46.61 for Clark, who was seeking her first reelection after winning in 2019. Both Kish and Heikkila have said they want to increase the number of police officers and boost pay across public safety departments. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. In addition to her role with the City of Norman, she serves as the Director of the JCPenney Leadership Center in the Michael F. Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma. There was a problem saving your notification. Clark received 36.46% of the vote to Heikkilas 32.01%. Im invested in both [the City of Norman and OU], and so Im going to make sure our negotiations are fair.. But, we are the county seat and it doesnt need to just be Normans problem, because its a countywide problem, its a nationwide problem. Updated Apr 5, 2022 Mayor Breea Clark continues to deliver her concession speech, saying "she hopes Norman holds Larry Heikkila to the same high standards that she was held to" while in. Mailing Address: P.O. Issue Category All . With Mayor Lynne Miller not seeking re-election, two city council members and a community activist seek to fill her spot. Office: Mayor (Norman, OK) Track This Politician . (The office) came at great personal cost to me, Clark told The Daily. As a first-time candidate and a businesswoman not a politician I am proud of the race that we ran. I will do everything in my power to support Mayor-elect Heikkila as he faces these challenges, she said. Clark said the main separation between her and Hickman was leadership style. Then consider helping fund our endeavors. AlthoughHeikkila saidthe council shouldn't be sofocused on issues related to homelessness, he said the city should work with the state to get mental health treatment for those who need it and try to entice moreproperty owners to offer government-subsidizedaffordable housing. Fighting for the mayoral position of Norman, Oklahoma, Heikkila got around 53% of the total votes which was around 1600 more than what Clark got. He retired as the Command Master Chief, 9th Naval Construction Regiment. Clark received 4.45% more of the votes than Heikkila in the primary. As the only non-incumbent candidate who has served on the city council before, Thompson said his two terms representing Ward 1from 2005 to 2009will help him lead the council without the learning curveother candidates might face. #okwx #texomawx. Analysis Efforts in Norman, Oklahoma, to recall Mayor Breea Clark and councilmembers Kate Bierman, Alison Petrone, Sereta Wilson, and Stephen Holmam were initiated in July 2020. Its about long-term water quality and supply, its also about our stormwater drainage pipes, which we have never looked at, so therell be lots of replacement, and then lots of maintenance.. Norman got to this point in the race after neither Clark nor Heikkila secured 50% of the vote against numerous other candidates during the February election. Use the 'Report' link on government. By July 2020, the group attempted to trigger a recall election. Dunn advocated for a Ward-by-Ward, door-by-door approach to inform people of oils value. news. She also said she wants to help the city prioritize how to spendmillions in federal aid comingfrom the American Plan Act and the $1 trillion infrastructure package. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Heikkila received more than 53% of votes, with . Mostly we just need to assure the public that they can trust Norman Public Schools. Norman residentCasey Holcombrecently filed a lawsuit against Hickman on the grounds of free speech violations. What tribal leaders are saying about Stitt inauguration. In 2022 he was named one of Cleveland Countys Men of Influence. Her mayoral tenure became defined largely by the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide policing debate. Member of the Oklahoma Bar Association; Oklahoma Bar Foundation; member of the Family Law Section; member of the OBA Law Schools Committee; member of the OBA Legislative Monitoring Committee, Emergency Authorization of Medical Treatment, Family Law, Criminal Law & Other Cases Involving Mental Health Issues. for Clark and several Norman city council members. I want you to know that I felt like I was the best person for the job, and Norman residents decided otherwise, and I will handle that, she said before congratulating Heikkila on his victory. The City Charter dictates that if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, candidates who receive the most votes will face an April runoff. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. She was endorsed by Sallys List and the Red Earth Group, Normans Sierra Club affiliate. Breea Clark, Larry Heikkila make final cases to voters ahead of Norman mayoral runoff election Ari Fife, senior news reporter Apr 3, 2022 Updated Apr 4, 2022 0 Mayoral incumbent Breea. You can make a one-time donation or a recurring pledge. However, there is no clear answer about her affiliation. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Norman voters will cast ballots Tuesday, Feb. 12, to decide which of three candidates will become the next mayor of Norman. Before receiving her J.D. Were trying to clean water and build roads.. Former Mayor Breea Clark "Therivalry that isset up between the mayor and Unite Norman just looked like there was no end to it.". The individuals who do it, they dont take on debt. Here's how they could affect voters in future elections. Be Nice. At one point during the pandemic, I called our city manager (Darrel Pyle) and said, Darrel, I am like 99 percent sure Im not running again.. racist or sexually-oriented language. He also touted his experience as a small business owner and attorney, saying he had the tools to negotiate contracts and stand up for his client when the need arises. on the 2021 Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index a measure of how supportive municipal governments are of their 2SLGBTQ+ residents as a notable accomplishment of her term. Im voting no on all of them because we have bypassed, I think, the opportunity to turn the funding source for the implementation of those programs to be derived from resident investments. In an interview, Hickman talked about restoring public trust in the City of Norman. Theyve taken the force from 180 to 150, and their salaries are really low. The fire department is down 8 or 9 percent, and police is down about 7 percent. Its the same reason why Donald Trump won after leftist Barack Obama left the White House," he said. Click to reveal Each petition failed to gather enough signatures or was invalidated by duplicate signatures. I have a servants heart and I want to be a voice for the people. I will do everything I can in power to support mayor-elect Heikkila, she said to a crowd of supporters. But I actually see it as an advantage. Heikkila opposed mask mandates and other COVID-19 measures, while Clark had supported them. Clark encouraged Norman residents to address the citys challenges and to shop local, regardless of whomever has the job. Heikkila told NonDoc he decided to run in the wake of the Norman City Councils decision to shift more than $850,000 of a planned increase in the police budget to other municipal programs. Some Norman conservatives are hopeful this election could lead to a sea change in city leadership, especially after two Republicans with ties to Unite Norman were elected to the council over the summer. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. I want to thank every candidate, she said. Earlier in the pandemic, some Norman residents criticized Clark for requiring some businesses to close and imposing capacity limits on businesses and public gatherings to reduce the spread of COVID-19. I think accountability is always good, and voter education. Stephenson-Leuck, 67, said she jumpedinto the mayoralrace due to thepolice budget cut in 2020. Asked his priority now that he is elected, Ruggiers said he wants to ensure families trust the district. Mayor, City of Norman, Oklahoma, 2019-present. Clark graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Wichita State University in 2005 and then received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma . The future of our community and the future of our state is not something I'm willing to risk. It is vividly clear that she inclines toward the democratic party. 2023 Whitbeck Bennett | Website By CC&A Strategic Media. Norman Mayor Breea Clark wasn't always certain she would pursue a second term after a tumultuous three years in office. We need someone who can bring us together moving forward.. Clark said she stands by her handling of the pandemic that earned her recognition from the Oklahoma State Medical Association. She earned a Juris Doctorate in 2008, and became director of, After beginning her stint in local government as Normans Ward 6 city council member in 2016, Clark, defeated opponents Bill Hickman and Evan Dunn. It appears, for now, that voters wanted someone from the establishment on both sides. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Evan Dunn, a community activist and former teacher, attempted to set himself apart from his opponents by discussing moral problems in Norman. During the Feb. 8 primary, Heikkila and Clark defeated opponents "Midway" Bob Thompson, Dr. Nicole Kish and Alice Stephenson-Leuck. Asked if she still has concerns about election integrity or if she has faith in the 2020 presidential election results, Kish said polling shows people across the country have concerns about election integrity. Breea serves as the Mayor of Norman, the 3rd largest city in the state of Oklahoma. After nearly deciding she would surrender the mayorship after a single term, Clark said support shes received from community leadership inspired her to run again. Phone: 405-366-5402 Clark said the election was not about her nor was it about her opponent it was about improving Norman. Full Name: Breea Clark. Breea Clark is Of Counsel at WhitbeckBennett. Ruggiers picked up 64.17 percent of the vote, compared to Snells 35.83. Gov. Thevote theOklahoma Supreme Court later said violated the state's Open Meeting Actlargely led to the formation of grassroots group Unite Norman and misleading allegations that the council voted to "defund the police. I interned for (former President) George W. Bush, and at the state capitol of Kansas.. Breea Clark is Of Counsel at WhitbeckBennett. Norman voters will also vote inNorman City Councilraces on Feb. 12. Norman Mayor Breea Clark looks up her election numbers during her watch party, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at Blackbird Gastropub. The proposition called for the monthly base fee to all customers to be raised from $6 to $7.80 for metered users. Clark faced notable backlash after the Norman City Council voted to reduce a proposed Norman Police Department budget increase by $865,000 in June 2020. The Wichita, Kansas natives Norman ties began in 2005, when she moved to Oklahoma to attend the OU College of Law after receiving a bachelors degree in political science at Wichita State University. The citys unique position as the only Oklahoma municipality required to vote on the creation of a public utility poses a challenge for city officials to create an easily understandable, equitable funding solution, Clark said. She also serves as director of the J.C. Penney Leadership Program in the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma. Kishhas litigation pending against several people she says made false statements about her that led her to endure death threats andlose clients and business income. Runoff: Mayor Breea Clark to face Larry Heikkila in April. I think Norman Public Schools could use a lot more transparency. I would like to create a rural commission to educate the city folk, if you will, on issues facing our rural community because I dont know what its like to have livestock and run a farm as my profession, and I dont pretend to know. Box 370, Norman 73070 Phone: 405-876-9216 Phone: 405-366-5402 e-mail: mayor@NormanOK.gov Vital Information: Sworn In: 07/05/22 Current Term Ends: 07/01/25 Theres no room for political ideology or political party in local government, because were not tackling issues like abortion or gun rights. "I hold the confidence the citizens have given me to bring a change to Norman very serious," he said. The election results listed online are unofficial until they are certified by the Oklahoma State Election Board. Current Term Ends: 07/01/25. A Democrat,Thompson, 65, aims to get national politics out of local politics, create harmony among the city council and bring civility and collaboration to municipal governing, whichhe says should remain nonpartisan. Floyds death led to efforts across the country to reduce police funding, but calls to defund the policy also gave birth to a movement among people who opposed the idea. He and his wife Janet were married in 1976, and moved to Norman from Tulsa in 1978. Affordable housing doesn't just affect the homeless, it affects people who live paycheck-to-paycheck, Clark said. We've got people in Norman right now with Section Eight vouchers and no Section Eight housing available. If no candidate receives 50 percent of the vote, the runoff election will take place Tuesday, April 5. One group, Unite Norman, attempted to recall Clark later that year, falling short of the required number of signatures required to trigger a recall election. Potential affordable housing solutions under consideration now include single-room occupancy spaces near the intersection of Robinson Street and Berry Road. What Is Breea Clark's Political Party? He credited "a grassroots campaign" who wanted a change. Larry Heikkila has defeated Breea Clark and clinched the position of Mayor in the recent election. As an employee he served as the City of Norman Street Supervisor, then as a Personnel Analyst, and finally as the Safety Manager. She also served on various task forces with Norman Public Schools. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. Elections Summary Voter Registration & Polling Place Ballot Measures Issues Public Statements Political Parties Election Contacts Political . Mayor Heikkila is a pro-business, pro-growth, avid supporter of Normans Police and Fire Departments. Clark highlighted Normans perfect score on the 2021 Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index a measure of how supportive municipal governments are of their 2SLGBTQ+ residents as a notable accomplishment of her term. Low near 40F. For accessibility assistance please contact the ADA Technician at 405-366-5424. Im thankful for Maricha and my family, as well as the many friends and volunteers who have supported me.. If reelected, Clark aims to find solutions to Norman's storm water issues, improve infrastructureand focus on making the community more sustainable and inclusive. Clark had planned to make this her final term as mayor. Your IP: As one of the common refrains among candidates, police funding is likely to be top of mind when Norman residents head to the polls Feb. 8. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism If no candidate receives 50 percent of the vote, the runoff election will take place Tuesday, April 5. "If you have a city that has good public safety, there isn't a homeless issue, the crime isn't going up, your city is going to prosper," she said. The second attempt had more support than the first, so Im hopeful we can get it across the finish line. Previous experiences with similar projects and collaboration at the county level could help alleviate those issues. Lets work this out so that we can make the town that we want and help me define it, he told supporters. If elected, Thompson said he wants to drop the political temperature by changing how the mayor's office is presented. Ryan Walters to retain secretary role, draw 2 paychecks. in Political Science from Wichita State University in 2005. She . 32. First elected to the Norman City Council to represent Ward 6 in 2016, she was elected in 2019 as Normans 60th mayor and first millennial mayor. You have permission to edit this article. A political outsider endorsed by Gov. Clark broadcast her concession speech to her official Facebook page. The vote occurred in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in May 2020. Breea Clark (incumbent) Breea Clark Profession: Current mayor of Norman and director of the J.C. Penney Leadership Center at the University of Oklahoma. Mayoral and city council elections will take place Tuesday, Feb. 8. Clark said the rise in partisan politics that has saturated notable Norman City Council issues for the past year has no place in local decision making, and that shes glad to see candidates run with a focus on minimizing those influences in municipal government. Mayor Breea Clark will face Larry Heikkila in a runoff after neither candidate captured a majority of the vote Tuesday, preliminary election results indicated. Gender: Female. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Kevin Stitts endorsement of mayoral candidate Nicole Kish is a wildly inappropriate breach of municipal governments non-partisan nature, Clark said. Mayor Heikkila earned a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. ", What happened in June 2020 was hours of listening to residents saying that the current system is not working for them, and if your policing is not working for everybody in your community, then you have to change, Clark said. Mayor Breea Clark will face Larry Heikkila in a runoff after neither candidate captured a majority of the vote Tuesday, preliminary election results indicated. "I know I can't force the nearby casino (to pay), but I would march up there and say, 'you're contributing tohomelessness in Norman by your presence here,'" she said. Thompson said he hopes his message of nonpartisan local politics continues to be heard. She said her experience in guiding Norman through the COVID pandemic and directing funding from federal sources, like the CARES Act and federal grants, will also be vital as Norman looks to emerge from the pandemic. Larry Heikkila was elected as the 61st mayor of Norman in 2022. There was a problem saving your notification. [1] On April 5, 2022, Larry Heikkila won the runoff election and became mayor of Norman, Oklahoma. Share Background Report Overview of Breea Diane Clark Lives in: Norman, Oklahoma Phone: View phone number Age: 39 Breea Clark's Voter Registration I told everyone I have one more term left in me and then someone else can have all the fun.. Do you appreciate the work we do as the only independent media outlet dedicated to serving OU students, Norman Mayor Breea Clark looks up her election numbers during her watch party, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at Blackbird Gastropub. Her challengers in the nonpartisan race are Nicole Kish, Larry Heikkila, A.E.