Affiliations: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. I dont make partisan decisions, because partisan politics dont fill potholes. OU women's gymnastics: Trautman's 10 helps Soon, Paramedic reunites with tornado victim family, Train ride home turns unusual for county commis, By Mindy Ragan Wood | Transcript Staff Writer, Digging out: Tornado damages home, downs power lines; minor injuries reported, Maverick's brings dive bar feel to Campus Corner, Norman man charged with murder in Lake Thunderbird case, Cleveland County Sheriff's Office identifies inmate who hanged himself, Judge sides with homebuilder in lawsuit against city, Southern Baptists oust Saddleback Church over woman pastor, Cleveland County Detention Center inmate hangs himself, Tornado Coverage: Highway 9 reopening among second day developments. Norman resident and lifelong Republican John Trice, 68, said he envisionsthe political winds shifting this election cycle. 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. 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. Midway Bob Thompson swept up 18.90% of the votes, while Nicole Kish gained 12.50%; Alice Stephenson-Leuck obtained 0.14% of votes. 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. 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. I want to say thank you to my supporters and all the volunteers and communities that rolled out, Clark said Tuesday. She teaches several undergraduate courses, includingIntroduction to LeadershipandLeadership in International Settings. Office: Mayor (Norman, OK) Track This Politician . faculty, staff and alumni on campus and around the world for more than 100 years? tomorrow by helping launch the careers of media professionals. Mindy Wood covers City Hall news and notable court cases for The Transcript. As a first-time candidate and a businesswoman not a politician I am proud of the race that we ran. The two candidates made their cases to voters in a final push to get out the vote. On campus, she has served on the Universitys Legal Panel, Speakers Bureau, and the Committee on Discrimination and Harassment. NORMAN Although the four mayoral candidates challenging Norman Mayor Breea Clark span the political spectrum, they all agree public safety fundingwould be theirtop budget priority upon taking office. "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. I will do everything I can in power to support mayor-elect Heikkila, she said to a crowd of supporters. "I am humbled, and so very honored the citizens of Norman have chosen me to become Normans next mayor," Heikkila said. 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 . 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 Mayor candidate Larry Heikkila watches as election numbers come in Feb. 8 during his watch party for the general election at Red Rock Canyon Grill. As mayor, Dunn said his first priority would be for people to understand the need to conserve oil and fossil fuels in society. Heikkila received 53.39 percent of the vote, compared to 46.61 for Clark, who was seeking her first reelection after winning in 2019. Part of that solution should involve more collaboration between rural and urban Normanites, she added. A political outsider endorsed by Gov. Prior to seeking elected office, she served on the Norman Tree Board, Library Board, and the Norman Forward Sales Tax Citizens Financial Oversight Board. Heikkila and Leuck did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. Some formed a group called Unite Norman and began collecting signatures with help from Norman police officers and Republican political strategists to recall Mayor Breea Clark, Bierman. 405-876-9216. Who is rating Clark ? Its all around our city, Clark said. Kevin Stitts endorsement of mayoral candidate Nicole Kish is a wildly inappropriate breach of municipal governments non-partisan nature, Clark said. It appears, for now, that voters wanted someone from the establishment on both sides. "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.". The city also needs to update its master plan for development that reflects how Norman intends to grow, he said. Don't knowingly lie about anyone For accessibility assistance please contact the ADA Technician at 405-366-5424. E-mail: breea@ou.edu. It is absolutely possible for us to sell war bonds, not necessarily just stormwater bonds or school bonds, but if you sell war bonds to residents, you save on underwriters fees. 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. Currently, the mayor is presented as superior to the rest of the council when the mayor should really be more of a collaborative peer who works closely with all of the other members, he said. Breea Diane Clark (age 39) is listed at 718 E Johnson St Norman, Ok 73071 and is affiliated with the Democratic Party. (The office) came at great personal cost to me, Clark told The Daily. What Is Breea Clark's Political Party? This is a really important election for Norman, Hickman said, adding that the new mayor will appoint a new city manager and a new city attorney and that he has the necessary experience to do so. OU women's gymnastics: Trautman's 10 helps Soon, Paramedic reunites with tornado victim family, Train ride home turns unusual for county commis, By Mindy Ragan Wood | Transcript Staff Writer, Digging out: Tornado damages home, downs power lines; minor injuries reported, Maverick's brings dive bar feel to Campus Corner, Norman man charged with murder in Lake Thunderbird case, Cleveland County Sheriff's Office identifies inmate who hanged himself, Judge sides with homebuilder in lawsuit against city, Southern Baptists oust Saddleback Church over woman pastor, Cleveland County Detention Center inmate hangs himself, Tornado Coverage: Highway 9 reopening among second day developments. He began his quest to become Normans mayor amid a crowded field of five candidates that took part in Februarys general election. Clark was elected mayor in a three-way contest in 2019 after serving on the city council for three years. "Everyone who ran entered the mayoral race had one central goal, and that was to improve the City of Norman. Its the same reason why Donald Trump won after leftist Barack Obama left the White House," he said. Former Mayor Breea Clark Norman voters have chosen Larry Heikkila to be the city's next mayor, preliminary election reports indicated Tuesday. 32. . He won over incumbent Mayor Breea Clark. First. Larry Heikkila was elected as the 61st mayor of Norman in 2022. for Clark and several Norman city council members. SUPPORT US TODAY FOR AS LITTLE AS $1. Breea Clark is the 60th Mayor for the City of Norman. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. I think we could have a ward-specific citizen commission, and experts in stormwater infrastructure and water quality combine again and make a proposal.. Norman Mayor Breea Clark looks up her election numbers during her watch party, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at Blackbird Gastropub. Ultimately, local government issues, such as infrastructure, policing, zoning and economic development should not be partisan, Thompson said. First off, the defunding of the police department, they managed to truly deflate our wonderful police department that used to be a premier agency in Oklahoma, Heikkila said last month. Incremental increases based on water usage were also included in the proposition. 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. 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. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Norman voters will cast ballots Tuesday, Feb. 12, to decide which of three candidates will become the next mayor of Norman. 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. Were not your typical city that just has an urban feel to it if you look at our map, it goes way past Lake Thunderbird, Clark said. Mindy Wood covers City Hall news and notable court cases for The Transcript. 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. I thanked him for a clean race and spoke to him about how we can work together for a round two, she said. Both Kish and Heikkila have said they want to increase the number of police officers and boost pay across public safety departments. The second attempt had more support than the first, so Im hopeful we can get it across the finish line. I look forward to April 5.. that is degrading to another person. Norman, OK 73070. We believe The Mayor, City of Norman, Oklahoma, 2019-present. [1] On April 5, 2022, Larry Heikkila won the runoff election and became mayor of Norman, Oklahoma. 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. There arent just parts of Norman, little pockets, having this issue. There was a problem saving your notification. He and his wife Janet were married in 1976, and moved to Norman from Tulsa in 1978. Norman Mayor Breea Clark looks up her election numbers during her watch party, Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at Blackbird Gastropub. Im really excited about the win tonight, Ruggiers said. After withstanding a recall attempt in 2020 and coming under fire from some residents for her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Clark, a Democrat,is vying for a second three-year term on the nine-member city council. 210.65.88.143 Long-term maintenance and staffing of such facilities could pose an obstacle for the city, Clark said. Your IP: Gov. Her campaign for a second term, she said, is focused less on restating commitments made in her first three years and more on goals she will pursue, if reelected. Her challengers in the nonpartisan race are Nicole Kish, Larry Heikkila, A.E. online throughout the pandemic. Eventually, her supporters in city government and the community at-large led her to reconsider. 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. She is also a proud graduate of the 2018-19 OU Leadership Council class. Then consider helping fund our endeavors. 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. 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Clark faced notable backlash after the Norman City Council voted to, reduce a proposed Norman Police Department budget increase by $865,000. Norman remains the largest city in Oklahoma without a dedicated stormwater utility. (They asked), Why would you want the progress youve made to be undone, Clark said. Norman residentCasey Holcombrecently filed a lawsuit against Hickman on the grounds of free speech violations. 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. Citing a study the council commissioned to better address homelessness and identify gaps in prevention programs, Thompson said he wants to follow through on those recommendations. With offices around the country, including in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Texas, Oklahoma and Florida, you can choose the right location for you. While the decision still resulted in an overall budget increase for NPD, the meeting encouraged the formation of Unite Norman. E.W. Weve made a lot of progress in the last three years, and were just getting started. Her mayoral tenure became defined largely by the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide policing debate. Here's how they could affect voters in future elections. After that, I am not at all opposed to these bond sales as an alternative or adjunct approach. 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. Previously, Blake has served as an intern reporter, senior news reporter, summer news editor and news managing editor. "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 they appreciate that, it is an immediate change in how they think about their suburban homes.. Clark had planned to make this her final term as mayor. You can make a one-time donation or a recurring pledge. "We were the first todeclare a state of emergency," she said. In a news release, she called the visit a "field trip" to watch democracy in action, spurred by reports of election integrity issues in the 2020 presidential election. The proposition called for the monthly base fee to all customers to be raised from $6 to $7.80 for metered users. While on council, Thompson supported the city's first public safety sales tax that funded additional police officers. Heikkila received 53.39% of the votes, beating incumbent Breea Clark. Thompson, who has owned and operated the Norman eatery Midway Deli for 36 years, is mounting an intraparty challenge against Clark. Previous experiences with similar projects and collaboration at the county level could help alleviate those issues. Specifically, Clark said she aims to produce long-term facilities solutions for Normans homeless population, pass a stormwater utility for Norman and bolster local infrastructure. Clark encouraged Norman residents to address the citys challenges and to shop local, regardless of whomever has the job. Elections Summary Voter Registration & Polling Place Ballot Measures Issues Public Statements Political Parties Election Contacts Political . She also supported the city council ordinance requiring masks in public. 405-876-9216. perm_identityWho exactly is Clark? OU Daily and Crimson Quarterly magazine provide real value to this community both now by covering OU, and He credited "a grassroots campaign" who wanted a change. Some political observers viewed those results as Heikkila having momentum. However, there is no clear answer about her affiliation. Clark was elected mayor in a three-way contestin 2019after serving on the city council for three years. The City has deviated tremendously from the mission of a municipal government, and has begun focusing its efforts on small segments of the population," he said in a news release. 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. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2008, she started working for the . You have permission to edit this article. Share with Us. Dunn advocated for a Ward-by-Ward, door-by-door approach to inform people of oils value. As mayor, he said he would deliver on projects people had voted for. Low near 40F. 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. I would like to be added to the WB's monthly newsletter, "A Family Matter". 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. Breea serves as the Mayor of Norman, the 3rd largest city in the state of Oklahoma. Performance & security by Cloudflare. I was new to Norman and didn't know anybody. 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. She also serves as director of the J.C. Penney Leadership Program in the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma. The individuals who do it, they dont take on debt. Kevin Stitt, Kishsaid she wants tobring a new perspective to the Norman City Council and draw on her experience managing her own practice to create a more inviting business environment in Norman. City officials have also consulted with Griffin Memorial Hospital which sits on state-owned land under the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services about constructing multifamily affordable housing. e-mail: mayor@NormanOK.gov, Vital Information: She was endorsed by Sallys List and the Red Earth Group, Normans Sierra Club affiliate. While the group also endorsed candidates in Wards 2, 4 and 6, none were elected. When it comes to my experience as the incumbent, this is the most unique situation our city has been in in a century, Clark said. 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. Current Legislative Committees keyboard_arrow_down. 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. Grant, who works at Oscillator Press in Norman and serves on several municipal committees, ran on a platform of bridging the divide between Normans urban core and its outlying areas. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Phone: (405) 325-2501. ", 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. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. 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. 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. Breea serves as the Mayor of Norman, the 3rd largest city in the state of Oklahoma. 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. Breea Clark is originally from Wichita, Kansas, where she graduated with her B.A. An example is our animal welfare shelter, Clark said. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. If no candidate receives 50 percent of the vote, the runoff election will take place Tuesday, April 5. Breea Clark is Of Counsel at WhitbeckBennett. Be Nice. 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. She serves on Normans ABLE Board, and continues to champion opportunities for the disabled. 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. 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.. Before receiving her J.D. Current Term Ends: 07/01/25. The youngest female and first Millennial to hold this seat, she is invested in. 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. City of Norman, 201 W Gray St,Norman, OK 73069, Information on City Council and Committee Meetings. Midway Bob, Dr. Kish, Ms. Leuck, and again, mayor-elect Heikkila, I wish you the very best.. But initially, as they are right now, I dont think theyre equitable, I dont think they summon or motivate our residents to change the way that their homescapes are designed so that stormwater isnt the problem.. She addressed her relationship with the university in an interview with NonDoc. The vote occurred in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in May 2020. 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". For more information on where, when and how to vote, visit the Cleveland County Election Board website. This is amazing. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,