The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow

Now that the Mayor has announced her withdrawal, it leaves the democrats in a bit of a pinch.  There have already been several republicans testing the waters, and I imagine we will get at least two or three running.  But what about democrats?  Who could run?  I don't expect the two democratic Councilors will run or could win.  Whom does that leave?

Elliott Nelson? Honestly, I have no idea of his political affiliation/aspirations, but he does own multiple bars and that's not something that fits well with the current far-right wing repub majority. So, I'm assuming he would be a Dem. Does he have any political goals? I bet he does, but maybe not quite so soon. Just throwing it out there.

There are three democratic councilors...Henderson, Troyer and Patrick.

There are many good democrats who could run...from the state legislature...Tom Adelson, Lucky Lamons, Jeannie McDaniel, Judy Eason-McIntyre...even state insurance Commissioner Kim Holland...

There are good democrats in business in Tulsa...Sharon King Davis, Georgianna Oliver, Marilyn Ihloffe, Patty Eaton.

David Patrick and Elliot Nelson are both registered independents.

I bet there are a few wild cards out there. I think Lucky Lamons would be the most likely candidate. Adelson is interested in running for AG from what I've heard. Eric Proctor could be another potential candidate. Out of the list of names discussed so far, Lamons or Proctor would have the best chances of winning the general election, IMO.

I like Lucky and his background in public service is spotless. He is well educated and approachable. Lamons is well known in the older parts of town, near downtown, and West, but not so well known and attractive to the solid red, southern coat and tie regions of Tulsa. That negative may be balanced out with his TPD experience.

Business background always sounds good but generally means lots of crony baggage and sketchy integrity.

I can't imagine a solid Dem winning without having serious charisma and falling within the "lite" category. The only reason Taylor was elected was her Demo/lite, Repub/lite status and the dissatisfaction with LaFortune. I do think Lamons can squeeze into that category.

edit: I want to be the first to throw out another name of a perennial that I enjoy watching. Roscoe Turner. I don't always agree with him but he solidly represents a large portion of the city and understands the city processes. He is indeed a man of the people who can communicate with different levels yet retain his perspective. At the very least he needs to be on the city council.

ANY Democrat ior Independent who runs will receive my vote and unqualified support over any Republican.  I have not abandoned that rule at all. Yet.

Tom Baker
Karen Keith

I doubt he would backtrack to the local level.  He's an instrument of the police unions and I imagine they want to keep him at the state level.

Karen Kieth, perhaps.  Better name recognition and community trust. 

Rocky Turner as well.  Always liked his attitude and the way he relates to people on a more sincere level.   

KK?  Oh, fo' shure!!!  SS Redux!

Hells yeah! Roscoe already announced he will run for Council though or I would have brought it up. Roscoe Turner could be a serious contender for Mayor. I know several rock ribbed Republicans, who would never vote Democratic otherwise, that would cross party lines to vote for Roscoe.

I just threw up in my mouth a little a little bit.

How about a little warning before doubling down on our gag reflexes? Sheesh.

Roscoe?  Just kidding?

As a City Councilor he looked out for his constituents.

He can be a nice guy...but Mayor? 

A Mayor should be a good manager, forward thinking, creative, have good networks, have good communications skills. 

I can't imagine he'd have City-wide appeal.

I could be a Lucky fan.



 

i'm a 'rock ribbed republican' and i'd vote for roscoe in a new york minute.  he would be any fair minded voters choice.

I consider myself fair-minded and I wouldn't vote for him.

WOW!  That is amazing.  Sad, but amazing.

QUALIFICATIONS BE DAMNED!

I agree. I liked Roscoe at one time. But at some point in the past few years, he turned from a constituent advocate into an old crank. Especially the "old" part. He's going to be 80 pretty soon.

It seemed like he was complaining about everything and offering no solutions. I think the constant bitching was why he was tossed out of office. There was a sense that his time had passed.

Unless he's had a change of heart since that time, he's not mayor material.

(http://www.spacejunk.org/docblog/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/jonestownreview3.jpg)

Actually, this devil is hoping no democrat runs leaving the door open for a right wingnut ultra conservative to further support the rest the country's perception of how backwards we are in Oklahoma.

Okay. I like Roscoe because he serves his constituents, he isn't a corporate or a well heeled oily and he is honest. He also is of the opinion that we should change to a city manager/council/mayor form of govt. Seems pretty sharp for late seventies. However, he has no interest in becoming mayor and is of more value to the city as a councilor.

Many good servants of the people have been run away from local politics. I am thinking particularly of one smart, pragmatic, humorous lawyer who would be a good mayor. He once served as councilor, his father was a commissioner. Now working in the insurance industry. Republican of course, but not a nutty 'pub. Left when the party started to tilt.

Any guesses?

(In honor of the French Open....)

When you have city councils as at odds with each other as we do, city managers tend not to do well.

What has Gary Watts been doing of late?

I don't see why Karen Keith would run for it, she's only been seated on the county commission for 1/2 a year or so.  Roscoe is a nice guy, great citizen, and I consider him a friend.  Mayor material?  No. 

Paging Recyclemichael....

I would like to see Mr. Tay run unchallenged. And failing that, maybe Judge Harris.  Shakedown.

Dewey?

I didn't know he was in the insurance business, I thought he was still looking for and peddling oil.

Maybe you or Townsend should run.  I'd vote that way.  If who I think will emerge as the "leading" Republican does run, no way I'll vote for him.

Screw that, I have no political aspirations outside of my Neighborhood Association roles. I'm a problem solver and I would hate being required to abide all of the morose negativity the mayor (or any politician) has to deal with.

Three republicans I would vote for: cannonfodder, Conan and Townsend.

I will vote for the best candidate no matter what political label they adopt. 

I will vote based on their experience, qualifications, abilities, and vision. 

Pandering to one party or the other is meaningless, as is blind devotion to any particular political philosophy. 

I want to see a candidate that employs reason and can communicate it using a minimal amount of BS.

Shoooooot, you don't even have to dig up my dirt.  It's all out there and way too much for public office. 

I'd love it for the first two weeks before I was removed.

First name Robert.

I could see several of our local posters who could do the job. And, like Gaspar, political affiliation at this level shouldn't mean so much. We just need people who know how our system works and how to make it work.

Love it.  My dirt is top-soil, loads of it.

Paging Recyclemichael.... guido911

FIFY

I have had a whole lot of people talk to me about running for Mayor...

I don't get it. I am, for all practical reasons, as qualified to be mayor as a rodeo clown.

Our only skill is to find the bull and distract him.

Nonsense. You are as qualified as any of the last few rodeo clowns.

Seriously, anyone who knows how this city works and who the players are, should give consideration to taking the reins for awhile. I disagree with many who believe leadership is the province of lawyers and savvy businessmen. Those are the categories who have populated finance, real estate, stock markets and politics for the last decade. They have failed us miserably. I wouldn't preclude them from the list, but I wouldn't expect that background to be critical to the job.

We need level headed, moderate, reasonable people who understand the layers of government here and can be responsive to a truly multi-faceted population.

Sorry, Guido, you and I don't have those qualities. :o

Just another name to toss out. Robert Gardner.

You could always start a new party and run as the Recycle Tulsa Party.  That could come with some benefits.

Ouch.

You don't think an under-employed educated guy with an innate knowledge of the Arkansas River wouldn't be a compelling candidate?  I mean it's ALL about the river after all...  ;)

You know that. I know that. But to most others, I'm just a guy who may have consumed a bit too much untreated Arkansas River water. ;)

Really, I couldn't tell you who the head of the Airport Authority is, or whether or not they are performing their duties. My understanding of a TIF is as a format for digital files. I would love to serve in a capacity for the city that could use my knowledge of the river and its issues, but unless one of you secures the office, that won't happen.

We should put forward a slate of potential candidates from our ranks. Afterall, we ARE the real movers and shakers in this city. And it should not be limited to party affiliation.

So far:

     ReCycleMike
     Conan the Contrarian
     Prime Minister (PM) Calk
     Carlton Heights
     WeVsUs
and my darkhorse candidate (drum roll).....Chera Kimiko

Mmmm...Chera.  Now THAT's change I could get be---wait a minute...