State Rep. Monroe Nichols (D-Tulsa) has announced his bid for the Tulsa mayor's seat.
Nichols is the first candidate to formally announce his bid for the city's highest municipal office. The election is in August 2024.
According to his campaign website, Nichols hopes to grow Tulsa's economy, address "the affordable housing crisis" and make the city safer. He said these are issues Tulsans can get behind regardless of political leanings.
"It is time to take our city to the next level," Nichols said in a Thursday news release. "I love this city. Tulsa has given me everything. It's where I earned my college degree, where I've chosen to raise my son, and where I've worked hard to create jobs and grow businesses. I have also had the honor of serving this city on the Tulsa Tech School Board and in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
As mayor, I will work tirelessly to ensure that every Tulsan has the opportunity to thrive. I’m entering this race because Tulsans deserve a mayor who is accessible, accountable and has the energy and work ethic necessary to address the needs of our city. I will be that mayor and together there isn’t one challenge we can’t solve.”
Since 2017, Nichols has represented House District 72, which includes midtown, downtown and north Tulsa. He passed a bill to include Tulsa County the Affordable Housing Tax Credit.
Nichols co-founded Impact Tulsa, which is the local partner in the Obama Foundation's My Brother's Keeper initiative. He is also the director of policy and partnerships for the national nonprofit StriveTogether, according to his campaign news release.
When asked about his chances of winning against candidates with more local experience, Nichols pointed to previous jobs with the mayor's office and the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce.
"I don’t think there’s anybody that would jump into this race who has a better view of how the city interacts with the state, how cities can bring people from across the city together, and really improve outcomes for folks from all walks of life," Nichols said.
In a statement given to Public Radio Tulsa, Mayor GT Bynum said he does not plan to take sides in the mayoral race, and offered to be a resource for Nichols and other candidates in the race. Before his reelection in 2020, Bynum told reporters he would not seek a third term in 2024.
Nichols said he will serve the rest of his current term as state representative before stepping into his role as mayor, if elected.