2020 Tulsa City Council Candidates

This Tulsa City Council Election Guide was created in order that you may have the tools and resources available to be an informed and confident voter at the ballot.

Local elections are just as important, if not more impactful, as state and federal elections. Elected leaders at the municipal level make decisions that directly influence our day to day lives. From bond issues affecting the schools our children attend, to resolving the placement of a Black Lives Matter mural downtown.

Your vote has an even larger impact on the outcome of these elections as they are often overlooked by the general public. I hope this guide encourages you to vote in local elections this year, and even more so, to get civically involved and maybe run for office one day yourself!

Disclaimer: The information in this guide is informational and does not constitute an endorsement of any candidate for Tulsa City Council.

Note: An [I] designation next to a candidates name indicates he or she is an incumbent. Looking for information on who is running for Tulsa Mayor, check out our page here.

Disctrict 1

Vanessa Hall-Harper [I]

Phone: (918) 578-9149 | Email: Vote4VanessaD1@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vote4vanessa/

Website: http://www.vote4vanessad1.com/

About the candidate:

A product of Tulsa Public Schools and longtime resident of the Tulsa community, Vanessa Hall-Harper’s list of accomplishments is a long one. Achieving a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Political Science-Pre Law, a Certificate in Paralegal Studies and a Master’s of Science in Management, is an appendage to the passion, purpose and love for the work she has done and continues to do in support of the North Tulsa Community.

With a niche for Community Organizing, Strategic Planning, Community Outreach, Leadership and Event Planning, Vanessa is taking her desire to support and serve to the next level. As a Community and Development Activist she covets an informed, empowered community with fair, interest-based, equal representation. Currently a Candidate for City Councilmen in District 1, Vanessa is running on a platform of community empowerment, affordable housing, food security, supporting, helping and improving the quality of life for the residents of North Tulsa. Vanessa has the experience, background, work history, curriculum vitae and credentials to fill the role – to expand on the amazing work and note-worthy contributions she makes on a daily basis.

Engaging this responsibility Vanessa dedicated her time and talent to a number of government, non-profit and social organizations: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority member, Theatre North Board Member, City of Tulsa Sales Tax Overview Committee Member, Greenwood Chamber of Commerce Membership Committee Chair, Board Member of the Institute for Developing Communities and Board Member of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma.

A busy wife, mother and industry professional, Vanessa enjoys cooking, watching football and entertaining friends. Her favorite book, The Holy Bible, “contains the answers to all of life’s problems.” Continuing to make societal differences and respond to the needs of the North Tulsa’s community, Vanessa’s current goal is to win the office of Tulsa City Council District 1.

Jerry Goodwin

Phone: (918) 289-9883 | Email: electjerrygoodwin@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/electjerrygoodwin/

Website: https://www.electjerrygoodwin.com/

About the candidate:

Jerry Goodwin, an educator, a communications executive and a community volunteer has officially announced his campaign for City Council District 1 in Tulsa.

“This is our time. Our community has gone too long without access to what so many other districts have and receive. We need leadership that can forge relationships across the city and rebuild our community to serve all of its residents. I plan to do that when elected to City Council for District 1,” said Goodwin.

In education, Goodwin is an assistant professor in journalism, communications and business at Tulsa Community College. He is a former adjunct professor in marketing at the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and Research at Langston University-Tulsa. He has been a college professor for 20 years.

In business, he serves as director of communications for Morton Comprehensive Health Services. He oversees public relations and community engagement for the largest community health care system in northeastern Oklahoma. Additionally, he is president of Goodwin & Grant, a public relations and diversity communications company, founded in 2000. The firm has represented a broad base of clients including American Airlines, Morton Comprehensive Health Services, Oklahoma Centennial Commission and Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and former professional athletes, including John Starks and R.W. McQuarters among other corporations, organizations and individuals. Prior to his current positions, Goodwin served as assistant to the publishers at The Oklahoma Eagle newspaper for 15 years.

As a community volunteer for more than 30 years, Goodwin has served on a variety of national and local boards and commissions. He currently is board secretary for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission. He also is a board member of the City of Tulsa/Rogers County Port of Catoosa, where he has served for 25 years. Goodwin is the first African American to be appointed and the youngest to be named to the board.

As a member of the City Council, one of Goodwin’s key goals will be to boost economic development within Tulsa’s historic Greenwood District. Goodwin’s “This is our time” philosophy aims to further connect the district by unifying the interests of various business interests in the area, such as the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the Black Wall Street Chamber of Commerce.
“Business, religious and non-profit communities within the district are not united to build a common agenda for the community. There is disunity because our leadership believes in disharmony and disruption rather than working toward togetherness and unity,” Goodwin states.


District 3

Crista Patrick [I]

Phone: (918) 596-1923 | Email: cristac.patrick@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsForCristaPatrick/

About the candidate:

District 3 Tulsa City Councilor Crista Patrick was born and bred in the Dawson Neighborhood, a portion of Tulsa with a rich history and the location of the Frisco Depot built in Tulsa, or Tulsey Town, in 1882. Her roots run deep in the Dawson soil, and she is proud of her history and her family’s legacy of public service. Her father, David Patrick, and her uncle, Mike Patrick, were former District 3 City Councilors, and her brother, Jason Patrick, has served the Tulsa Fire Department and the citizens of Tulsa for more than 20 years.

Crista graduated from Will Rogers High School and proceeded to earn a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Tulsa. She has worked for many local theatre companies including Theatre Tulsa, Tulsa Ballet, and the American Theater Company, where she won the Tulsa Award for Theater Excellence (T.A.T.E) for Best Costume Design. It was the first award of its kind ever given.

Crista has managed the University of Tulsa Department of Theatre’s Costume Department for 13 years, where she also teaches. A small business owner, Crista has owned and operated a massage therapy practice for 25 years.

Crista is happily married to her husband, Ragnar Crowson, and together they raise their daughter, Luna Wolfe.

“I am often called a healer. Whether it is sore muscles, wounded spirits, or ripped pants, I always strive to leave people better than I find them,” Councilor Patrick said.

“In a world filled with stress and new pressures daily, conducting oneself with dignity and kindness isn’t always easy, but I endeavor to always do my best. I am honored to be elected to serve District 3 like my father before me. I promise to always give my best and to work toward healing District 3.”

Paul Eicher

Phone:  | Email: paulfortulsacityhall@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaulforCityHall

About the candidate:

My name is Paul Eicher, and I am running to represent District 3 on Tulsa City Council.

Our city needs strong and compassionate leadership to fight for working families. We need to come together as a community to create a better future for Tulsa.


District 4

Kara Joy McKee [I]

Phone:  (918) 596-1924(918) 845-9188

Email: dist4@tulsacouncil.org | kj@kj4tulsa.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KJ4Tulsa/

Website: kj4tulsa.com

About the Candidate:

Our city faces monumental challenges in the next two years. The COVID-19 crisis has required strong measures to save lives. Tulsans have risen to the challenge. Unfortunately, the crisis has also devastated Tulsa’s economy and the city budget. It will take the combined efforts of all of us to bring our economy back to life while protecting the vulnerable and preventing further spread of this dangerous virus.

Next year, the world’s eyes will turn to Tulsa for the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre. We must set an example of how to address this terrible historical legacy with justice and reconciliation.

In this time, it’s especially important to have an experienced, compassionate councilor for District 4. I ask for your vote on August 25, and together, we can take on these challenges to emerge as a stronger, more resilient city.

Kathryn Lyons

Phone:  918-277-9562

Email: kathryn@kathryn4tulsa.com | inquiry@kathryn4tulsa.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kathryn4Tulsa/

Website: https://www.kathryn4tulsa.com

About the Candidate:

Kathryn grew up in Oklahoma City where she learned the value of hard work. Growing up a passionate, strong young girl, she got her first job at 12 years old. Kathryn learned how to support herself early on and continues to use the skills she gained while working through high school and college. When Kathryn was in her twenties, she managed hotels and rental properties while her husband, George, finished medical training. There, she discovered her talent for striking great deals and working to deliver superior customer service. Kathryn moved to Tulsa over twenty years ago to start a family, devoting most of her time to supporting George, caring for her parents, and raising her two sons, who are now in college.

During her time in Tulsa, she came to love her midtown neighborhood, but in 2011, Kathryn heard alarming stories from her neighbors about how they had been burglarized. She decided to take action and partnered with the Tulsa Crime Commission to help her neighbors develop habits that would keep them safe. She created many Alert Neighborhood groups throughout the city that met regularly to discuss safety concerns. She also established the Tulsa Midtown Neighbors Facebook page and other sister pages for neighborhoods around Tulsa. During that time, she worked with important figures in the city like the Chief of Police, the Mayor, City Councilors, business owners, and other local activists that were fighting to bring neighbors together to promote safety. She has always been interested in listening to many different perspectives in our city because she knows that we all have to work together to build a safer city for our children, no matter which neighborhood they grow up in.

Kathryn sees great potential in Tulsa’s downtown and the surrounding areas. Especially now, Kathryn’s big heart and energetic leadership style are what we need at City Hall during these trying times. The people of District 4 are important to Kathryn. She is committed to continuing to make a difference, and she’s counting on your vote on August 25th.

Landry Miller

Phone:  (918) 805-2523 | Email: landryfortulsa@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/landryfortulsa/

Website: https://www.landryfortulsa.com

About the Candidate:

Landry Miller has always been drawn to helping others. As a young man, he worked in the church and volunteered for different outreach organizations, including delivering meals to families in need, teaching artistic expression to at-risk youth, cleaning and beautifying his community, and so much more. Throughout his life, he’s constantly been inspired to find new ways of broadening the opportunities for success for all those around him.

As a fifth-generation Oklahoman, Landry comes from a long line of proud Native Americans who value their culture, history, and heritage. He was brought up learning the history of his ancestor’s removal from their homeland, the Trail of Tears, and the tribe’s relationship with the government. These stories combined with years spent in Cherokee language and cultural classes, Native Leadership seminars, and courses with the Cherokee Law Institute brought about a need to defend justice and equality. In college and beyond, Landry worked alongside a variety of activist groups, supporting the fight to protect all minority groups from the heinous acts they’ve endured throughout history. Now, Landry wants to take this experience protecting and defending his fellow man and focus it on the work of Tulsa Government, to help others just as he always has.

Casey Robinson

Email: casey@robinsonforcouncil.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaseyforTulsa

Website: https://www.robinsonforcouncil.com

About the Candidate:

Casey Robinson is a self-made businessman driven by hard work and the duty of embracing personal responsibility. He and his wife, Maggie, have 4 children and the road to success has not been without challenges. Today, he and his wife own multiple commercial, residential, and industrial properties. They started from scratch and have built their American dream. Now, Casey wants to transfer that sense of energy to the City of Tulsa and fight for Tulsa values, recruit good jobs to Tulsa, and help heal our city, uniting together a common good of bettering Tulsans way of life. Casey believes that as the saying goes, “United we stand. Divided we fall.” Now is the time to bring the city together through open communication and transparency in all government operations.


District 5

Cass Fahler [I]

Phone:  918-951-9300 | Email: cass@cassforcouncil.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/CassforCouncil/

Website: https://www.cassforcouncil.com

About the Candidate:

Cass Fahler is a 19-year Tulsa business leader with the experience and energy to lead Tulsa forward into a new era of prosperity and growth. Cass is a businessman who will bring fresh ideas and a new vision to unite our city, support free enterprise, and promote economic growth. Cass is a Branch Manager at Movement Mortgage, and he’ll use proven business principles to manage Tulsa’s budget and streamline systems.

Mykey Athrell

Phone: (918) 508-3816 | Email: mykey@arthrellfordistrict5.city

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MykeyforDistrict5/

Website: https://www.arthrellfordistrict5.city

About the Candidate:

Mykey has more than 17 years’ experience working in roles that directly support his community — as a trainer, hotline worker at a crisis clinic, as an advocate at a domestic violence shelter, as an outreach specialist at the Austin Health Department.

In the 7 years since moving back to Tulsa, Mykey Arthrell has worked with Tulsa’s homeless and run a children’s shelter while simultaneously starting a commercial screen printing and coffee roasting business. Mykey is currently an Education Specialist for Urban Strategies Inc., working with Tulsa Public Schools and Tulsa Housing Authority to ensure families are stable and thriving during the redevelopment of West Tulsa.

Rachel Shepherd

Phone: (918) 740-5019 | Email: RachelShepherdforDistrict5@gmail.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RachelForDistrict5

About the Candidate:

My name is Rachel Shepherd, LPN. I’m a Nurse, a daughter, a caregiver, a friend, and an activist. I started my journey into the Healthcare field approx 14 years ago, where I’ve held a multitude of positions.

I became a Nurse because I have a passion for serving and healing others, and I believe I can utilize my experience and my encounters with the public over the last decade and a half as a City Councilor. I’d be more than happy to answer any other questions you may have. I appreciate you taking the time to learn more about my background.

Nat Wachowski-Estees

Phone: (918) 280-8147 | Email: natfordistrict5@gmail.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/natfordistrict5

Website: http://natfordistrict5.com

About the Candidate:

I am a dad, a spouse, a non-binary trans* person, an accountant, a homeowner, a hard worker, and an unwavering friend. My wife Jennie and I are new to District 5, having moved here in December after setting our sights on this area and finding the perfect house for our growing family. Soon after that, we welcomed our daughter Harlan into the world. We have enjoyed getting to know our neighbors on our evening walks and love the diversity of our district, its many excellent restaurants, family-owned businesses, nonprofits, and the variety of people and experiences.

I grew up in southwest Missouri, building fence and rodeoing with my grandpa and working in my parents’ machine shop. In elementary school, I did chores for an elderly neighbor – shucking corn, snapping peas, raking leaves – who insisted on paying me in candy bars she never knew I didn’t eat. My family taught me to give all you have to your work; my parents built a business from nothing but a loan and their dedication. I crammed a Bachelor’s of Professional Accountancy with an interdisciplinary focus in Finance into four years of college, got my CPA license within two years of graduating, worked in public and industry accounting, then built my own firm. I started my own business to focus on what I love best: supporting small businesses and families who need help navigating financial systems to become successful and sustainable.

I have been invested in organizing change in our city government for several years. Early on, I was fortunate enough to learn from and work alongside community change-makers to demand the establishment of Tulsa’s African American Affairs Commission, which was finally created in 2017. Since then, I have participated in countless City Council meetings, getting to know the councilors and their processes. I have also volunteered at a camp for LGBTQ+ youth, co-founded a support group for non-binary people, and co-founded Aware Tulsa, a group helping white people learn how to work against racism.

I know it is important to learn from those who have been doing the work long before I arrived. I’ve learned to listen and communicate with attention to nuance and complexity, and work toward comprehensive solutions. I have seen that each of us is an expert in our own experience, and that it takes multiple voices to capture the truth. And I know that when the most vulnerable among us are heard, included, and protected, we all benefit.

District 5 deserves the best we can bring to the table. I commit to listen with empathy, work collaboratively, act with compassion, and do all I can to strengthen our community.


District 6

Connie Dodson [I]

Phone: (918) 234-3102 | Email: conniedodson@tulsacouncil.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/conniedodson.oklahoma/

Website: http://www.conniedodson.com

About the Candidate:

I have lived in East Tulsa for 26 years. My husband and I have 5 children and 4 grandchildren. As the wife of a veteran I have been an advocate for veteran benefits; and had a significant impact while working with state legislators on veteran bills. In addition to being a local business owner, I was previously employed by the City of Tulsa, at Tulsa Transit. I served on the the bond development committee for Tulsa Public Schools and have been a member of the Oklahoma Education Association and the Parent & Teacher Association.

I attend Church on the Move and I’m active in the community. I have participated in Leadership Tulsa and have dedicated my time and services to many organizations. These include veteran groups; like the Disabled American Veteran’s Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Northeastern Oklahoma Veterans Memorial Cemetery. They also include community and civic organizations like Joy in the Cause, United way, Tulsa Zoo Friends, Friends of the Tulsa City-County Libraries, Oklahoma Writers’ Federation, and many others. In 2014, after watching east Tulsa be ignored for over a decade and having concerns about the community go unaddressed, I made a commitment to face issues head on and ran for my first term as District 6 City Councilor. Since then, with each funding opportunity I have fought for our community and we are beginning to see the impact of my service. The new Community Health Connections clinic opened in the middle of this pandemic to serve our community. The new improved McCullough park will have the first water feature east of Memorial, and is in the design phase, after much community input. I fought for four men on each fire truck so our firefighters could operate within nationally recommended safety guidelines and policy. The new fire station on 41st street is out to bid, and should break ground by the end of July. We are funding more police academies, and purchasing new police and fire vehicles. We’ve seen a lot of new asphalt in District 6, and with the “Improve Our Tulsa” bond that Tulsa voted to approve in November, we will see even more. I am running for re-election because there is much more to do, and without the leadership of a strong experienced advocate east Tulsa will once again be ignored. I want to continue fighting for the future of east Tulsa. Sales tax revenues must increase if we are going to meet the rising demands of Tulsa. The best way to accomplish this is to look for areas where commerce can be increased. The newly formed East Tulsa Main Street at 21st and Garnett is being funded to revitalize the area, and focus its potential as an International district. District 6 is also a prime location for commercial growth and is in desperate need of retail development. I will continue to focus on these efforts and have plans for a retail corridor. My first year in office I worked to remove the roadblocks for the Horizon Outlet Mall in east Tulsa. I worked closely with all parties involved and the Tax Increment Financing was put into place to provide a path for the development. In spite of all the hard work that went into the project, the competition of another proposed mall rendered Horizon unable to secure the tenants necessary to move forward, and they abandoned the project. The TIF is still in place and I’m still looking for appropriate development options. I continue to work with property owners, potential developers and tenants on projects and ideas to develop in east Tulsa, including the Horizon site, additional commercial, retail, and residential development. However, sales tax revenue is volatile and will not fix all of our issues. Discussions must continue at the state level. Until state legislators allow municipalities to diversify their local funding sources we will continue to struggle. I am committed to continuing that discussion and encouraging necessary changes.

I fought for District 6 and east Tulsa during the “Vision” and “Improve Our Tulsa” packages, and with every other opportunity I have. I’m prepared to keep fighting. I will continue to be a voice of reason, that represents our diverse neighborhoods. I have advocated for the needs of our community and have a vision for growth and revitalization. I hope my dedication to District 6 and my ongoing commitment to our neighborhoods has gained your support for my re-election.

Christian Bengel

Phone: (918) 638-9855 | Email: christianbengelforcouncil@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bengelfortulsa/

Website: http://www.bengelfortulsa.com

About the Candidate:

Christian Bengel is a former U.S. Army combat soldier who stood the line of the Korean DMZ during one of the most tumultuous times to defend democracy and freedom. Bengel was also deployed to combat in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After serving, Bengel returned home and attended Tulsa Community College to pursue a degree in Electronics Technology and raise a family.
“I believe our freedoms are under attack by a radically charged leftist world. Look, I have family and friends that are Democrats, but they’re Oklahoma Democrats. There’s a big difference and I believe it is worth fighting to defend our freedoms, liberty, and conservative values, especially at the local government level.”

From 1999-2016, Bengel served his community as a Tulsa County Reserve Sheriff’s Deputy. This service provided the Sheriff’s Office, and the citizens of Tulsa County, additional force and service to the community without charge or benefit of taxpayer dollars. As an employee for the City of Tulsa, he was selected as a special project manager overseeing hiring contractors, meeting vendors, and the police equipment officer(s) to meet delivery expectations, performance, and quality assurance for the program of updating and improving the police vehicles. Among other responsibilities, Bengel’s acquired management experience with oversight grew into more than 150 vehicles and balancing a budget in excess of $1,000,000.

“Because of the wide variety of experiences I’ve had throughout my life, I truly believe I can serve the people of Tulsa City Council District 6. First, the principles from the military engrained a love for my country nothing can replace. The Sheriff’s Office gave me the opportunity to serve my community, have a greater love for the laws of our land, and better understand Tulsa’s diverse culture. The City of Tulsa, and the corporate world, have taught me how to manage multi-million-dollar projects but also how to oversee teams, leadership, and ensure all work completed was up to code & compliant. Now, I find myself in the business world as a Team Leader for a large telecommunications company. All of these skills I intend to bring with me to the Tulsa City Council.”

Bengel is a Christian, Conservative Republican who believes in a limited government that supports the free market enterprise system, lower taxation, and promotes personal responsibility. Christian and his wife, Brynda, have four children and two grandchildren. In his spare time, Bengel likes to ride his Harley Davidson motorcycle and spend time with the grandchildren.

Cheyenna Morgan

Phone: (918) 862-2236 | Email: neighborsforcheyenna@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/cheyennamorganfortulsa/

Website: http://cheyennafortulsa.com

About the Candidate:

Cheyenna Morgan (29) is running for city council in District 6. She is a United Keetoowah Band Citizen, mother, activist, and full-time manager. Cheyenna has had a storied life up until this point. She could not afford to go to college however, she didn’t let that stop her from becoming a successful manager. Being a front-line employee, she saw things that her management was doing and thought of ways that she could do a better job, treat people with respect and dignity, and get results. Through that lens, she worked her way from a front-line employee, to a supervisor position, to a management position with responsibilities in scheduling, evaluations, identifying and correcting problems, and maintaining a multimillion-dollar vault.

Cheyenna grew up in poverty in the small town of Stilwell, Oklahoma, Strawberry capital of the world. With a family living with an addiction disorder, she cared for her brother and sister as a mother would care for her children. In many ways she is the matriarch of her family, even though that title is usually reserved for elders in her community. Honoring the responsibility of the title of matriarch, she spends much of her time caring for others before herself.

With her passion for others, she turned to activism to bring visibility to the unjust treatment of others. Being an indigenous woman, brought up in a culture that inherently takes care of the needs of others, she saw a need to do her part to strengthen those values in today’s world.

If Cheyenna is elected to city council for the people of District 6 she will bring with her life experiences that give a unique perspective, strong work ethic, and dedication to anything she steps into. Her political stances align with her personal values which are compassion for others and for her community.

Moving to Tulsa 3 years ago and making her permanent home in District 6 two years ago, she noticed an inequality in the infrastructure of the districts. Her belief is that District 6 has so much potential to be a destination that brings in visitors from all over the country. With the diversity and ingenuity of the business owners in District 6, and the provision of proper support from the city of Tulsa, this potential can become reality.

• Adding bike lanes and improving the roads in needed areas within the city and in District 6 in particular would be a step in the right direction.

• Solar streetlights in District 6 would prevent copper thefts, reducing the costs to maintain and keep the lights on so to speak.

• With increased access to public transportation we would be able to give the community access to programs and jobs that are available in District 6 and beyond.

• Adding a public assistance office to District 6 would help those often left behind in conversations and provide them with the support they need to become more successful.

• Working towards renewable energy for the city is a goal that would help District 6 as well as the people who live here.

• Working towards added protections in the city for minority and LGBTQ+ citizens.


District 7

Lori Decter Wright [I]

Phone: 918-596-1927 | (918) 814-0210 | Email: Dist7@tulsacouncil.org | loridecterwright@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WrightforTulsa/

Website: http://www.loridecterwright.com

About the Candidate:

Lori Decter Wright is a dedicated, creative and results-oriented leader possessing an entrepreneurial spirit and more than twenty years of experience as a small-business owner and nonprofit executive. Lori has a gift for building consensus, achieving strategic goals, and collaborating to achieve successful outcomes. She has a proven track record of being innovative and pragmatic when recognizing opportunities and resolving challenges. She brings her fresh perspective and energetic enthusiasm to the Tulsa City Hall as your City Councilor in District 7.

​Lori currently serves as the Executive Director of Kendall Whittier Incorporated (KWI), a community-based nonprofit organization focused on food insecurity in Tulsa’s Kendall Whittier, The Pearl, and Crutchfield neighborhoods. KWI operates the only emergency food pantry in the area that delivers groceries to doors five days a week, 52 weeks a year. In addition, they sponsor three organic community gardens. Through her work, Lori has built solid relationships with charitable foundations, corporate sponsors, and individual donors across the city and state. She collaborates with staff and hundreds of volunteers to ensure that thousands of Tulsans in need are nourished. She has an excellent reputation for getting things done and for connecting folks to each other so that they can cooperatively work toward accomplishing positive outcomes for the people of Tulsa.

​Prior to joining Kendall Whittier Incorporated, Lori served Director of Education and Membership for Sweet Adelines International, a nonprofit association for women founded in Tulsa in 1948 and is headquartered near E. 91st Street and S. Yale Ave. During her 7 years on the Executive Management, Lori helped lead the multi-million dollar organization to innovate new methods for delivering education, programming and member benefits to its 23,000 members world-wide and strengthened its youth outreach programs.

​Lori lives in District 7 with her husband, Joseph, and their two children, Libby and Theo. She is President of Shadow Ridge Homeowners’ Association and actively works to improve the quality of life for her neighbors. Lori has organized community events and charitable drives such as pantry food donations, winter coat drives, and collecting furniture to help families in need. Her children attend Union Public Schools’ Cedar Ridge Elementary where she has volunteered weekly in the classroom assisting students with reading and math and is has also been active with the PTA. She is also Board President of Spotlight on Opera, a new Board Member for Tulsa Opera, and mentors youth as they prepare for college.

​A Tulsan by choice, Lori has lived here for 11 years, including eight in District 7. Prior to choosing Tulsa as the place to settle down and raise a family, Lori and her husband were professional opera singers based in the Silicon Valley. Lori is an award winning singer and has performed with world-class opera companies and symphonies across the United States and overseas. In recent years, she has returned to the stage as a hobby, directing local musical theatre productions, performing around town, and singing the National Anthem for local events. Joseph now works as an Oncology Nurse at Cancer Treatment Center of America. The Wrights are members of College Hill Presbyterian Church and Lori regularly shares her musical gifts with the congregation as well as will other local churches and community performance groups.

Chad Ferguson

Phone:  (918) 694-3677 | Email: chadf@tedfordinsurance.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chad-Ferguson-Tulsa-City-Council-100911061455996

Website: http://www.ferguson4tulsa.com

About the Candidate:

Chad is a family man and fourth generation Oklahoman raising two children with his wife, Paula.

He believes strongly in showing his children the power of perseverance. It’s a value that Chad learned from his parents, who wouldn’t let their son give up without a fight.

Chad is a firm believer in earning your way.

Now a successful entrepreneur and professional with 22 years of experience in business, Chad is director of sales for a local insurance agency. His primary focus is to get Tulsa back to work. He worked for an oil field manufacturer, making products which make America great.

Chad is running for City Council because he cares about Tulsa, and he wants to make an even bigger difference in the lives of everyday Tulsans.

Justin Van Kirk

Phone: (918) 850-8827 | Email: justin@vankirkfortulsa.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vankirkfortulsa/

Website: http://vankirkfortulsa.com

About the candidate:

“Never in a million years did I see myself running for public office. Right after attending Rhema Bible College, my wife Lily, and I started one of our first companies about 10 years ago. We’ve felt blessed ever since. All we knew growing up was hard work, sacrifice, commitment, and determination to leave this world better than we found it. We were both born and raised understanding and respecting conservative values at all levels of government.
Now, I’m ready to transfer my business skills from the private sector into government. I want to help make a difference in a way that is not being done right now. Tulsa has so much opportunity and I’m ready to help it grow, recruit new jobs by encouraging new startups, increasing public safety, and prioritize the city’s budget with a free-market mindset.”

District 9

Lee Ann Crosby

Phone: (918) 999-2899 | Email: blcrosb@okstate.edu

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrosbyForCityCouncil/

Website: http://www.leeanncrosby.com

About the candidate:

Greetings! I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you about myself. I am a Tulsa native and a Tulsa Central alumni. I have two children ages nine and twelve who attend Tulsa Public School. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Science from OSU and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health and Human Relations From the University of Oklahoma. I have always had a personal goal to assist the community and it is for this reason that I founded The Just A Push Foundation. The nonprofit organization develops programs designed to link individuals within the community to the vital resources the so desperately need. I have been a mental health care provider within the community for over seven years now and prior to that, I worked in education for five years. It has been my passion to assist those within our city who need help and to empower them to reach their true potential. Please take a moment to visit my webpage, ww.justapushfoundation.org, and it will help you to understand what I stand for and believe in for the community.

Jayme Fowler

Phone: (918) 322-0120 | Email: fowlerdistrict9@outlook.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fowlerfortulsa

Website: https://www.fowlerfortulsa.com

About the candidate:

Jayme Fowler was born and raised in District 9, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Jayme is a proud Tulsan whose parents were educators with Tulsa Public Schools for over 30 years each. In addition, his wife, Sandy, is a Tulsa Public Schools teacher at McClure Elementary. In a deep way, Jayme understands the importance of education in Tulsa. Jayme knows about hard work, determination and grit. Prior to founding Oak Creek Private Wealth, Jayme spent over three decades in the asset & wealth management industry raising capital for multi-billion asset management firms.

Jayme wants to use his business experience to get government out of the way. In doing so, he wants to make Tulsa’s economy even more diverse, inclusive and vibrant by not only attracting talent and businesses from across the nation, but from around the world. As a businessman Jayme deeply understands we are a society built on the just and prudent rule of law. As a strong proponent of fiscal responsibility, Jayme will have sound judgement in decision making. Jayme believes we need more pragmatic leadership in City Hall. Protecting and ensuring the prosperity of Tulsa’s vibrant neighborhoods by uplifting communities is of prime concern. Jayme is dedicated to making data driven decisions as your City Councilor.

Jayme has served as a Board Member to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Tulsa for six years. Additionally, Jayme serves as the President of the Memorial High School Endowment. Jayme and his family have been dedicated to public education for decades. In addition, when not working, Jayme spends his spare time working with underprivileged high school students. He and his wife enjoy spending their free time with their family and two dogs. Jayme wants to make Tulsa a vibrant, prosperous city for today’s generation and for generations to come. Tulsa’s best chapters have yet to be written