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Monroe Nichols
Mayor-elect of Tulsa
Assuming office
December 2, 2024
SucceedingG. T. Bynum
Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from the 72nd district
In office
November 17, 2016 – November 20, 2024
Preceded bySeneca Scott
Succeeded byMichelle McCane
Personal details
Born
Monroe Nichols IV

(1983-09-24) September 24, 1983 (age 41)
Waco, Texas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children1
EducationUniversity of Tulsa (B.A.)
University of Oklahoma (M.P.A.)
College football career
University of Tulsa Golden Hurricanes
PositionWide receiver (2002-2005)
Class2005
MajorPolitical Science
Career history
High schoolBishop Louis Reicher Catholic School

Monroe Nichols IV (born September 24, 1983) is an American politician and Mayor-elect of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives representing the 72nd district from 2016 to 2024.

Nichols was born in Waco, Texas. He played high school and college football at Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School and the University of Tulsa. After graduation, he worked in Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor's administration. In 2008, he unsuccessfully ran for the 72nd district of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, but in 2016 he won the election to represent the district. He was the first African American to represent the district and won reelection in 2018, 2020, and 2022.

In 2024, Nichols was elected Mayor of Tulsa, the first African American elected to the position.

Early life and career

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Monroe Nichols IV was born September 24, 1983, in Waco, Texas, to Ramona Curtis and Monroe Nichols III.[1][2] His father and uncle were both police officers.[3] His mother was a parole officer and his grandfather was a pastor and United States Air Force veteran.[4] He later graduated high school from Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School in Waco, Texas, where he played on his high school's football team as a quarterback.[5][6] He attended the University of Tulsa where in 2002 he walked-on the football team as wide receiver.[5] When interviewed about pursuing an NFL career in 2005, Nichols told the Tulsa World he instead wanted to focus on politics and hoped to one day become Governor of his home state of Texas.[7] He graduated with a degree in political science and economics.[8]

In 2006, shortly after graduating from college Nichols was hired by Tulsa mayor Kathy Taylor to work on a crime initiative to prevent gang activity.[9] He worked again for Taylor as her campaign manager for the 2013 Tulsa mayoral election.[10]

Nichols also worked as the chief of staff for former OU-Tulsa president Gerry Clancy, as an economic development manager at the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, and as a director of business retention and expansion programs for the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce. In 2014, he cofounded the nonprofit ImpactTulsa.[3] From 2014 to 2016 he served on the Tulsa Technology Center Board of Education.[11] Nichols also worked as the Director of Policy and Partnerships for StriveTogether, a nonprofit.[3]


Oklahoma House of Representatives

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2008 campaign

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Nichols first campaigned for the 72nd district of the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2008 while working in Tulsa mayor Kathy Taylor's office. Incumbent Darrell Gilbert was term limited from seeking re-election.[12] He received 9% of the vote while Seneca Scott and Christie Breedlove advanced to a runoff.[13]

2016 election and first term

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Nichols was listed as one of over 30 individuals who filed for office with ties to education in 2016.[14] During the 2016 election, no Libertarian or independent candidate filed to run in district 72.[6] One Republican, Whitney Cole, filed to run in the district. However, Nichols filed a challenge to their candidacy and the Election Board removed them from the ballot, making the Democratic primary election the de facto election for the seat.[15] Maria Barnes, a former Tulsa city councilor, and Nichols were the only two candidates.[6] The Tulsa World endorsed Nichols in the 2016 Democratic primary election calling him a voice "for the future."[16] Nichols was also endorsed by Kathy Taylor. He narrowly defeated Maria Barnes in the primary election.[17] On November 17, 2016, Monroe Nichols became the first African-American elected to represent Oklahoma House District 72.[3] On May 1, 2017, Nichols co-hosted the first Hispanic Cultural Day at the state Capitol.[18]

First re-election campaign and second term

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In 2018, A.C. Forst challenged Nichols in the Democratic primary. Forst campaigned on being more politically moderate than Nichols.[19] Nichols was endorsed by the Tulsa World and Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce.[20][21] Nichols won the Democratic primary and faced no general election opponent.[22]

In January 2020, Nichols was one of over 200 signatories asking Tulsa mayor G.T. Bynum to not bring Live PD to Tulsa.[23] Later that month he was one of a group of lawmakers who criticized Governor Kevin Stitt for appointing members to the University of Oklahoma board of regents who live outside of the state. All three members of the board appointed by Stitt had recently missed an eight hour board meeting.[24] In June, he called for the creation of a state level independent monitor to investigate police shootings and an Oklahoma law enforcement database to alert departments if an applicant had previously resigned from employment during an internal investigation and prior to being fired for cause.[25][26]

2020 re-election campaign and third term

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See also: 2020 Oklahoma House of Representatives election

In 2020, Maria Barnes challenged Nichols in the Democratic primary for a second time.[27] The Tulsa World endorsed Nichols again for the 2020 election.[28] Nichols defeated Barnes with 69% of the vote in the Democratic primary. Republican Ismail A. Shan had been removed from the ballot after a challenge to his candidacy for living outside the district.[29] Therefore, Nichols was re-elected without a general election.[30]

During the 2020 election cycle Nichols also worked as a senior advisor for the Michael Bloomberg presidential campaign in Oklahoma.[31] He also endorsed Greg Robinson in the 2020 Tulsa mayoral election.[8]

In May 2021, Nichols stepped down from the Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission in protest of Governor Kevin Stitt's signing of HB 1775, calling the bill "a direct shot in the face for all of us who have been working hard on the commission, for all of us who have been working toward recognition, reconciliation. I would have to say it was the most disruptive thing that a governor could have done. And Kevin Stitt did it with a smile on his face."[32]

2022 re-election campaign and fourth term

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See also: 2022 Oklahoma House of Representatives election

While Nichols reportedly considered running in the 2022 Oklahoma gubernatorial election, he declined after both Connie Johnson and Joy Hofmeister announced their campaigns.[33] Nichols was re-elected to his house seat without opposition in 2022.[34] During the 59th Oklahoma Legislature, Nichols authored one successful bill which allowed police officers to issue warnings to people with outstanding warrants, instead of requiring an arrest.[3]

Mayor of Tulsa

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2024 campaign

[edit]
Main article: 2024 Tulsa mayoral election

On July 13, 2023, Nichols announced he would not seek re-election in the House and would instead be a candidate in the 2024 Tulsa mayoral election.[3][4] He won his race to become the first black mayor of Tulsa.[35] He faced Casey Bradford, Kaleb Hoosier, John Jolley, Karen Keith, Paul Tay, and Brent VanNorman in the first round of the election.[36] He was endorsed by the Tulsa World and The Black Wall Street Times.[37][38] He also got endorsements from former Governors of Oklahoma Brad Henry and David Walters, as well as former mayor Kathy Taylor.[39][40]

Nichols advanced to a runoff election alongside Keith, guaranteeing the office would flip from Republican to Democrat.[41] He won the runoff with over 56% of the vote.[2][42]

Tenure

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Nichols takes office on December 2, 2024.[43]

Electoral history

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Oklahoma's 72nd state house district election, June 2008[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Seneca Scott 559 42%
Democratic Christie Breedlove 377 29%
Democratic Elverez Allen 157 12%
Democratic Monroe Nichols 122 9%
Democratic John Slater 102 8%
Total votes 1,317 100.00
Oklahoma's 72nd state house district election, June 28, 2016[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Monroe Nichols 927 51.99
Democratic Maria Barnes 856 48.01
Total votes 1,783 100.00
Oklahoma's 72nd state house district election, June 26, 2018[45]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Monroe Nichols 2,347 75.08
Democratic A. C. Forst 779 24.92
Total votes 3,126 100.00
Oklahoma's 72nd state house district election, June 30, 2020[46]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Monroe Nichols 1,655 68.93
Democratic Maria Barnes 746 31.07
Total votes 2,401 100.00

Nichols was re-elected without opposition in 2022.[34]

2024 Tulsa mayoral election[47]
Candidate Votes %
Monroe Nichols 18,729 33.10
Karen Keith 18,457 32.62
Brent VanNorman 18,019 31.84
Casey Bradford 823 1.45
John Jolley 366 0.65
Kaleb Hoosier 105 0.19
Paul Tay 86 0.15
Total votes 56,585 100.00
2024 Tulsa mayoral election runoff[48]
Candidate Votes %
Monroe Nichols 76,300 55.62%
Karen Keith 60,873 44.38%
Total votes 137,173 100.00

Publications

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  • Four things I learned in the 2017 Legislature, column in the Tulsa World. 25 June 2017.[49]
  • Oklahoma Democrats offer state budget alternative that is truly business friendly, column in the Tulsa World. May 9, 2019.[50]
  • Gun safety reform is a call for citizen action, column in the Tulsa World. June 9, 2022.[51]

References

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  1. ^ "2005 Football Roster: Monroe Nichols". tulsahurricane.com. University of Tulsa. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Canfield, Kevin; Simmons, Mike (November 5, 2024). "Monroe Nichols wins in convincing fashion to become Tulsa's 41 mayor". Tulsa World. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Canfield, Kevin (July 13, 2023). "Monroe Nichols announces he's running for Tulsa mayor". Tulsa World. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Monroe Nichols wants to be Tulsa's next mayor" (Podcast). readfrontier.com. The Frontier. August 24, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Tramel, Jimmie (August 6, 2002). "Newcomers report to TU camp". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Barbara Hoberock (June 17, 2016). "Two Democrats vie to claim post vacated by state Rep. Seneca Scott". Tulsaworld.com. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  7. ^ Bailey, Eric (October 18, 2005). "A governing passion". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Morris, Nate (July 13, 2023). "Monroe Nichols runs for Mayor to move Tulsa forward for everyone". The Black Wall Street Times. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  9. ^ Lassek, P.J. (June 4, 2006). "Mayor's staff taking shape". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  10. ^ Stoycoff, Zack (September 15, 2013). "Workers in Tulsa mayoral campaigns see candidates' other sides". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  11. ^ "REPRESENTATIVE MONROE NICHOLS DISTRICT 72 - DEMOCRAT". okhouse.gov. Oklahoma House of Representatives. Archived from the original on November 24, 2021. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  12. ^ Hinton, Mick (June 13, 2008). "5 Democrats in HD 72 race". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  13. ^ a b "State races". Tulsa World. July 30, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  14. ^ Eger, Andrea (April 13, 2016). "'The Teacher Caucus': Pro-public education candidates to file Wednesday for state legislative races". Tulsa World. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  15. ^ Hoberock, Barbara (April 26, 2021). "Knox to stay on the ballot in race for Senate District 11". Tulsa World. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  16. ^ "Tulsa World Editorial endorsement: For Monroe Nichols in House District 72". Tulsa World. June 16, 2016. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  17. ^ Krehbiel, Randy (June 29, 2016). "Four elected to Legislature; incumbent Walker ousted". Tulsa World. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  18. ^ Krehbiel, Randy (April 23, 2017). "Political notebook: Hispanic Cultural Day set for May 1 at state Capitol". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  19. ^ Krehbiel, Randy (June 17, 2018). "House District 72 to be decided in June 26 primary". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  20. ^ "Tulsa World editorial: In House District 72, Monroe Nichols has shown leadership and deserves re-election". Tulsa World. June 9, 2018. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  21. ^ Krehbiel, Randy (June 13, 2018). "Tulsa Regional Chamber endorses primary candidates". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  22. ^ Krehbiel, Randy (June 27, 2018). "Six incumbent Republicans beaten in primaries; many others forced into runoffs". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  23. ^ Canfield, Kevin (January 13, 2020). "As critics urge against 'Live PD' in Tulsa, mayor stands behind participating in the show". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  24. ^ Savage, Tres (January 29, 2020). "With Stitt appointees absent, OU regents hold 8-hour executive session". NonDoc. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  25. ^ Trotter, Matt (June 10, 2020). "Tulsa Lawmaker Proposes Slate of Police Reforms". Public Radio Tulsa. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  26. ^ Savage, Tres (June 10, 2020). "Rep. Monroe Nichols pitches policing reforms … again". NonDoc. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  27. ^ Krehbiel, Randy (June 21, 2020). "Nichols, Barnes again square off for House seat in decisive Democratic primary". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  28. ^ "Tulsa World editorial: COVID-19 changes almost everything, but it doesn't change the importance of voting". Tulsa World. June 28, 2020. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  29. ^ Hoberock, Barbara (April 22, 2020). "Candidate challenges: McDugle stays on ballot, Luttrell re-elected". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  30. ^ Krehbiel, Randy; Hoberock, Bar (July 1, 2020). "Dossett, Rogers win state Senate primaries; four legislative incumbents beaten". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  31. ^ Cuccia, Annemarie (June 23, 2020). "House District 72: A rematch of 2016 for Democrats". NonDoc. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  32. ^ Halbleib, Brady (May 12, 2021). "State Rep. Monroe Nichols resigns from Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission". 2 News Oklahoma. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  33. ^ Krehbiel, Randy (November 13, 2021). "Brad Henry, Oklahoma's last Democratic governor, feels a kinship with Hofmeister". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  34. ^ a b Krehbiel, Randy (April 24, 2022). "'New' legislator wins state House seat just by filing". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  35. ^ Sharfman, Alexandra (November 5, 2024). "Monroe Nichols claims victory as Tulsa's first black mayor after Karen Keith concedes". KTUL. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  36. ^ Loveless, Tristan (June 20, 2024). "Tulsa County Election Board rejects Paul Tay challenge to Karen Keith candidacy". NonDoc. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  37. ^ "Endorsement: Monroe Nichols is best choice as mayor for Tulsa's future". Tulsa World. August 17, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  38. ^ "The Black Wall Street Times Editorial Board Endorses Monroe Nichols for Tulsa's 41st Mayor". The Black Wall Street Times. August 21, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  39. ^ Prock, David (September 26, 2023). "Tulsa Mayoral Candidate Monroe Nichols Endorsed By Former Oklahoma Governors". KWTV-DT. Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  40. ^ Boblitt, Zach (August 15, 2024). "Former Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor endorses Monroe Nichols". Public Radio Tulsa. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  41. ^ "Tulsa To Flip In Democrats' Favor Amid Nonpartisan Mayoral Results, GOP To Lose One Of Its Few Major City Mayors". Yahoo News. August 28, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  42. ^ "Tulsa elects first Black mayor". PBS News. November 6, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  43. ^ Canfield, Kevin (November 7, 2024). "G.T. Bynum welcomes his successor Monroe Nichols to City Hall". Tulsa World. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  44. ^ "OK Election Results Jun 28 2016". Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  45. ^ "OK Election Results Jun 26 2018". Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  46. ^ "OK Election Results Jun 30 2020". Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
  47. ^ "OK Election Results". Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  48. ^ "November 5, 2024 Unofficial Results". results.okelections.us. Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  49. ^ Nichols, Monroe (June 25, 2017). "Monroe Nichols: Four things I learned in the 2017 Legislature". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  50. ^ Nichols, Monroe (May 9, 2019). "Rep. Monroe Nichols: Oklahoma Democrats offer state budget alternative that is truly business friendly". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  51. ^ Nichols, Monroe (June 9, 2022). "Column: Gun safety reform is a call for citizen action". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
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