After beginning her stint in local government as Normans Ward 6 city council member in 2016, Clark defeated opponents Bill Hickman and Evan Dunn in the 2019 mayoral election with 51.43 percent of the vote. In-person absentee voting takes place Thursday and Friday, Feb. 3-4. 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. Affordable housing has always been the missing piece in Norman, and something that Norman has kind of always struggled with.. Both Kish and Heikkila have said they want to increase the number of police officers and boost pay across public safety departments. 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 . . 405-876-9216. perm_identityWho exactly is Clark? Norman Mayor Breea Clark wasnt always certain she would pursue a second term after a tumultuous three years in office. I would like to be added to the WB's monthly newsletter, "A Family Matter". Because weve got a lot of major issues and difficult issues we will be facing. Hickman views it as a way to balance the budget while Clark acknowledged TIFs as a valid economic tool, but that Norman residents wanted it removed. Eventually, her supporters in city government and the community at-large led her to reconsider. But, we are the county seat and it doesnt need to just be Normans problem, because its a countywide problem, its a nationwide problem. She also previously served as interim Pre-Law Club Advisor and was a member of the 2018-2019 OU Leadership Council class. Clark said the issue remains too important to continue administering band-aid solutions. Clear skies. There has been a little bit of mistrust that has built up over the last couple of years.. Breea Clark is originally from Wichita, Kansas, where she graduated with her B.A. Midway Bob Thompson swept up 18.90% of the votes, while Nicole Kish gained 12.50%; Alice Stephenson-Leuck obtained 0.14% of votes. She called local business closures at the start of the pandemic"devastating" forher practice. 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 If elected, Thompson said he wants to drop the political temperature by changing how the mayor's office is presented. He retired from the City of Norman in April, 2014. Blake Douglas joined the OU Daily news desk in October 2018, and is currently the editor-in-chief. Its very clear that everyone wants to keep moving in a positive direction.. She currently serves as Vice President of the Mayors Council of the Oklahoma Municipal League and on the Board of Directors for both the Oklahoma Municipal League and the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments. government. Current Legislative Committees keyboard_arrow_down. KOCO 5 asked the five about COVID-19 mitigation measures, working with a divided City Council, police funding, federal funds for cities and how to address Norman's growing homeless population. Clark said the issue remains too important to continue administering band-aid solutions. While on council, Thompson supported the city's first public safety sales tax that funded additional police officers. Affordable housing doesn't just affect the homeless, it affects people who live paycheck-to-paycheck, Clark said. "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. If youre able, please Clark received 4.45% more of the votes than Heikkila in the primary. [2] General Results [ edit] 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. Asked his priority now that he is elected, Ruggiers said he wants to ensure families trust the district. Lets work this out so that we can make the town that we want and help me define it, he told supporters. 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. 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 College of Law in 2008. Its all around our city, Clark said. Clark said she stands by her handling of the pandemic that earned her recognition from the Oklahoma State Medical Association. He also retired in 2010, after twenty-six years of service in the United States Navy. 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. Im really excited about the win tonight, Ruggiers said. The Voter's Self Defense System - Vote Smart The two candidates made their cases to voters in a final push to get out the vote. Clark was elected mayor in a three-way contest in 2019 after serving on the city council for three years. [2], "Breea Clark, Larry Heikkila enter runoff election for Norman mayoral seat", "Pro-mask Oklahoma college-town mayor loses to rival backing 'personal freedoms', "Oklahoma Election Results: February 8, 2022", "FOP reverses course to back Heikkila; other organizations announce endorsements", "Oklahoma Election Results: April 5 Norman mayoral runoff election", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2022_Norman,_Oklahoma,_mayoral_election&oldid=1131202528, Sallys List, a PAC supporting progressive women candidates, Lions Den, a faith-based Christian business association, Oklahoma Second Amendment Rights Association, Oklahomans for Health and Parental Rights, an organization that helps parents opt out of compulsory vaccines for children, Unite Norman, a pro-police political organization, This page was last edited on 3 January 2023, at 01:29. Each petition failed to gather enough signatures, Members of a Facebook group opposing Normans COVID response, Clark said she was continually targeted and harassed. Clark received 36.46% of the vote to Heikkilas 32.01%. Clark broadcast her concession speech to her official Facebook page. Education keyboard_arrow_down. After a decade of service in that office, I . A total of 22,712 voters cast ballots, with 8,281 for Clark, 7,269 for Heikkila, 4,292 for Thompson, 2,838 for Kish and 32 for Leuck, preliminary results from the Oklahoma State Election Board showed. that is degrading to another person. A proposition that would have raised the base fee charged to Norman residents who use city water services failed Tuesday, capturing just 45.75 percent of the vote. If no candidate receives 50 percent of the vote, the runoff election will take place Tuesday, April 5. Earlier in the pandemic, some Norman residents criticized Clark for requiring some businesses to closeand imposing capacity limits onbusinesses andpublic gatherings to reduce the spread of COVID-19. In April, Norman will vote for a second time on a stormwater utility bond to address flooding and pollution problems. During the Feb. 8 primary, Heikkila and Clark defeated opponents "Midway" Bob Thompson, Dr. Nicole Kish and Alice Stephenson-Leuck. He also serves as an ordained Deacon and Sunday School Teacher at a local church. You have permission to edit this article. Dunn acknowledged that selling war bonds might not generate the revenue of stormwater utility bonds, but called it a first step in finding some financing. 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. He won over incumbent Mayor Breea Clark. While the decision still resulted in an overall budget increase for NPD, the meeting encouraged the formation of Unite Norman. She serves on Normans ABLE Board, and continues to champion opportunities for the disabled. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy, Class 122-Gold. 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. accounts, the history behind an article. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Reach her atmwood@normantranscript.com or 405-416-4420. Long-term maintenance and staffing of such facilities could pose an obstacle for the city, Clark said. Phone:(405) 325-2501 The Voter's Self Defense System - Vote Smart "Adequately funding itjust seems obvious.". Norman residentCasey Holcombrecently filed a lawsuit against Hickman on the grounds of free speech violations. Clear skies. 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. Norman voters have chosen Larry Heikkila to be the city's next mayor, preliminary election reports indicated Tuesday. (They asked), Why would you want the progress youve made to be undone, Clark said. I assume its the DNC agenda, but we dont like that here. (The office) came at great personal cost to me, Clark told The Daily. "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.". Be Nice. Numerous polls show most Republicans agree with Trump's falseclaim that the election was stolen. Heikkila,70, is retired after serving 26 years in the U.S. Navy and working for the city for 17 years, ending his career as a safety manager who ensuredmunicipal departments hadsafe workplaces. Click to reveal 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.. is a wildly inappropriate breach of municipal governments non-partisan nature, Clark said. ", 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. Larry Heikkila unseats incumbent Breea Clark, wins first term as Norman First-year Norman mayor endures death threats - The Oklahoman Clark also praised NPDs efforts in interacting and building relationships with Normans unhoused residents, and said she hopes to pass additional funding to help the department staff its community outreach services. Ultimately, despite what many have characterized as a year of polarizing local politics, Clark said she is grateful more Normanites have been interested in local participation. Cockfighting fight turns back time at Oklahoma Capitol, The awkward family affair of Gov. She also supported the city council ordinance requiring masks in public. There was a problem saving your notification. Breea Clark is the 60th Mayor for the City of Norman. What Is Breea Clark Political Party? Norman Mayor Wikipedia Husband 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. Political Experience keyboard_arrow_down. Breea serves as the Mayor of Norman, the 3rd largest city in the state of Oklahoma. 2. Norman voters will also vote inNorman City Councilraces on Feb. 12. Affordable housing and homelessness solutions would be prioritized with further federal aid dollars if she is elected to a second term, Clark said. "Everyone who ran entered the mayoral race had one central goal, and that was to improve the City of Norman. Department: JCPenney Leadership Program Norman voters have chosen Larry Heikkila to be the city's next mayor, preliminary election reports indicated Tuesday. The mayoral race came down to incumbent Mayor Breea Clark and challenger Larry Heikkila. "If you aren't questioning the actual elections, and if they are free and fair, then I don't think you're paying attention," Kish said. Norman Mayor Breea Clark wasn't always certain she would pursue a second term after a tumultuous three years in office. Personal keyboard_arrow_down. In the culmination of two years worth of debate over city leadership, Larry Heikkila defeated incumbent Norman Mayor Breea Clark in todays runoff election, which featured significantly more turnout than the citys 2019 race. One of her top issues is addressinghomelessness. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism tomorrow by helping launch the careers of media professionals. "These people messed with my livelihood, and that is cancel culture and that should never happen in the city of Norman," Kish said. Low near 40F. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2008, she started working for the . Candidates for Norman mayor answer KOCO 5's 5 Questions In the end, Clark survived the recall effort but could not prevail against Heikkila. On campus, she has served on the Universitys Legal Panel, Speakers Bureau, and the Committee on Discrimination and Harassment. [1] Recall organizers submitted enough signatures to put the recall election against Councilwoman Petrone on the ballot. 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. Share Background Report Overview of Breea Diane Clark Lives in: Norman, Oklahoma Phone: View phone number Age: 39 Breea Clark's Voter Registration Heikkila is a 26-year Navy veteran. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Breea Clark - University of Oklahoma 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. I believe its a citizen-based solution to a city-wide problem.. 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. Theres no room for political ideology or political party in local government, because were not tackling issues like abortion or gun rights. I find it sad that local government has the lowest voter turnout, because the decisions we make on the second and fourth Tuesday at the city council chambers impact Normanites lives way faster and more directly than any decisions you're going to see at the state and federal level. Breea Clark - Director, JCPenney Leadership Program - LinkedIn Norman remains the largest city in Oklahoma without a dedicated stormwater utility. During her tenure as mayor, the Norman City Council allocated CARES Act funding to local businesses and vaccine distribution. 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Her challengers in the nonpartisan race are Nicole Kish, Larry Heikkila, A.E. Do you appreciate the work we do as the only independent media outlet dedicated to serving OU students, Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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.. Breea Clark, the current Norman Ward 6 council member, works as the director of the J.C. Penney Leadership Program at the University of Oklahomas Michael F. Price College of Business. Mayor, City of Norman, Oklahoma, 2019-present. [We need] to combat the ease with which alcoholism, casino addictions can all cause the moral corrosion and collective decay of our society and the common culture, he said. OU Daily and Crimson Quarterly magazine provide real value to this community both now by covering OU, and Upon graduating from law school and passing the bar exam, I helped to create the Office of Academic Integrity Programs at the University of Oklahoma. Don't Threaten. Evan Dunn, a community activist and former teacher, attempted to set himself apart from his opponents by discussing moral problems in Norman. For accessibility assistance please contact the ADA Technician at 405-366-5424. Clark encouraged Norman residents to address the citys challenges and to shop local, regardless of whomever has the job. She also serves as director of the J.C. Penney Leadership Program in the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma. We moved to Norman in 2005 from Wichita, Kansas, and started our family while I was in law school at the University of Oklahoma. He credited "a grassroots campaign" who wanted a change. Heikkila and Leuck did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. The Norman Transcript recently published analysis of Norman campaign finance reports through Jan. 28. 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. Each petition failed to gather enough signatures or was invalidated by duplicate signatures. Gov. Larry Heikkila defeated incumbent Norman Mayor Breea Clark on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. You have permission to edit this article. Thompson said he jumped into the mayoral race because he figured the only way to stop the political divisiveness inNorman was a change in leadership. We spoke truthfully about the issues that I know are important to voters including public safety, homelessness and jobs. SUPPORT US TODAY FOR AS LITTLE AS $1. 32. 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. Mailing Address: P.O. In the Norman community, she served on the Norman City Council from 2016-2019 representing Ward 6 in NE Norman and currently serves as its first Millennial Mayor. She also touted the city's hiring of a sustainability officer and a chief diversity and equity officer, saying the latter and the city council passingpro-LGBTQ policies and protectionscontributed to Norman getting a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign's municipal equity index. If passed, the city would be able to allocate more resources to make infrastructure improvements to stormwater conveyance and collection systems. Breea Clark is Of Counsel at WhitbeckBennett. After that, I am not at all opposed to these bond sales as an alternative or adjunct approach. I tend to be right about in the middle. 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. Theres no room for political ideology or political party in local government, because were not tackling issues like abortion or gun rights. They each spoke about what they believe makes them the best choice for Norman. Once she returned from the nation's capital, Kish said she was harassed, stalked and doxxed by "leftists" that called her practice numerous times a day for weeks on end, leading her to hire off-duty Norman police officers as security. "Because of Mayor Clark, I bet youre going to see the pendulum swinging conservative.". NORMAN Larry Heikkila won a first term as mayor of Norman on Tuesday, unseating incumbent Breea Clark. We'd love to hear eyewitness I interned for (former President) George W. Bush, and at the state capitol of Kansas.. Larry Heikkila has defeated Breea Clark and clinched the position of Mayor in the recent election. Phone: 405-366-5402 As the current Director of the JCPenney Leadership Center, she advises the JCPenney Leadership Program and teaches leadership courses and Passport to Success workshops. 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. Law School:University of Oklahoma College of Law, J.D., 2008. Every election cycle, someone will point out I started out in Norman as a registered Republican, Clark said. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2008, she started working for the Universitys Office of the Provost on the main campus and was instrumental in the creation of the Office of Academic Integrity Programs. The election results listed online are unofficial until they are certified by the Oklahoma State Election Board. He and his wife Janet were married in 1976, and moved to Norman from Tulsa in 1978. The future of our community and the future of our state is not something I'm willing to risk. Were trying to clean water and build roads.. So I'm glad that people are watching and participating.. Stephenson-Leuck, 67, said she jumpedinto the mayoralrace due to thepolice budget cut in 2020. I dont think people know a single barrel of oil contains 25,000 hours of human muscle power, Dunn said. Mayor | City of Norman, OK Elections Summary Voter Registration & Polling Place Ballot Measures Issues Public Statements Political Parties Election Contacts Political . state. Mayoral and city council elections will take place Tuesday, Feb. 8. (Kyle Phillips / The Transcript). Mayor Heikkila and his wife have two adult children. The 2022 Norman, Oklahoma, mayoral election was held on February 8, 2022, with Larry Heikkila and Breea Clark going in the runoff. news. On today's date in 1911, record cold temperatures replaced record warmth on the same day. She cited Norman's low unemployment rate and record sales tax revenue as signsthe city's economy is strong. There arent just parts of Norman, little pockets, having this issue. We make a whopping $100 a month to do this, so its certainly not for the money. Mindy Wood covers City Hall news and notable court cases for The Transcript. 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. UPDATED: Heikkila edges out Clark in mayoral race. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. While some of us had different opinions of what means, I thank all of the candidates for their dedication and their love for the City of Norman," he said. She was endorsed by Sallys List and the Red Earth Group, Normans Sierra Club affiliate. Performance & security by Cloudflare. 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. Some political observers viewed those results as Heikkila having momentum. An example is our animal welfare shelter, Clark said. I felt like it would be a disservice to my community and my legacy of service and all that weve accomplished over the last three years to walk away. "We were the first todeclare a state of emergency," she said. I will do everything in my power to support Mayor-elect Heikkila as he faces these challenges, she said. Phone: (405) 325-2501. Im thankful for Maricha and my family, as well as the many friends and volunteers who have supported me.. It was built, but we were not prepared for the staffing and maintenance costs. Hickmans campaign has received$48,670 in contributions, Clark has received$18,781, and Dunn did not raise enough to meet the minimum reporting requirement. The 2022 Norman, Oklahoma, mayoral election was held on February 8, 2022, with Larry Heikkila and Breea Clark going in the runoff. Ryan Walters to retain secretary role, draw 2 paychecks. 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.

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