Mayor Coburn unopposed, races in all city council seats

Muskogee Mayor Bob Coburn

Candidate filing for Muskogee's January 14th municipal elections ended yesterday. For the first time since 2002, the incumbent mayor was unopposed, electing Mayor Bob Coburn to a second term by acclamation.

In Ward I, incumbent councilor David Jones has one opponent, John Mark Lowrimore.

In Ward II, incumbent councilor James Gulley unexpectedly filed for reelection after previously announcing that he was not going to, and will face off with Michelle Green.

In Ward III, incumbent councilor Randy Howard is facing two other candidate -- Dale "D." Boots and Ivory Vann.

In Ward IV, incumbent councilor Kenny Payne did not seek reelection. Running to replace him are Marlon Coleman, Claressa Vealy-Dyer, Dean Swan, and former councilor Troy Stoutermire.

Muskogee City Council Ward Boundaries

(click to view larger)

This is the first election under Muskogee's new "ward-only" voting system. Previously, candidate's had to reside in the ward they were running for, but were elected city-wide, resulting in occasions when a candidate would win his ward, but lose across the city and thus not be elected.

Must-Attend City Council Meeting Tonight

If you are from Muskogee, you simply do not want to miss tonight's City Council meeting.

New councilors Randy Howard and Kenny Payne will be sworn in, and the council will decide on a replacement for Bob Luttrull.

Luttrull submitted his resignation last Tuesday. Hammons nominated Craig Koele, who happens to be Hammons' mother's employer, to replace Luttrull, while Luttrull nominated Bob Coburn.

The last item on the council's agenda is to vote on Luttrull's replacement. You won't want to miss this city council meeting! The meeting starts at 7:00pm, in the council chambers on the 3rd floor of City Hall in downtown Muskogee.

I will be tweeting from the council meeting - follow the action on my Twitter account here.

Hammons Wins Reelection, Incumbent Councilors Defeated

John Tyler Hammons has done it again, this time without a runoff. The young Muskogee mayor has won his bid for reelection, with a large enough margin of victory to skip a runoff.

Hammons was first elected in 2008, after winning the runoff race. This time, he didn't need it. He received 51.4% of the vote, or 2531 votes. Runner-up was Bob Coburn, with 29.4% (1447 votes), followed by Chris James with 17.8% (877 votes) and Teresa Garris with 1.4% (67 votes).

Not only will he be returning as mayor, but Hammons will be joined by two newly-elected city councilors. Councilman David Ragsdale lost the Ward III race to Randy Howard, 46.2% (2160) to 53.8% (2516), respectively. Councilman Jim Ritchey also lost, in Ward IV. Kenny Payne received 64% (3078), to Ritchey's 19.2% (923) and Cedric Johnson's 16.9% (812). In the school bond election, 70% (3031) of voters voted 'yes', and 30% (1300) voted 'no'.

Hammons has had a difficult time with the city council these past two years. With two new councilors, things may change for the better.

Congratulations to Mayor John Tyler Hammons, and councilors-elect Randy Howard and Kenny Payne!

Muskogee Election Results

Voting continues for the Muskogee municipal and school bond races - polls close at 7:00pm. If you have not voted, get to your polling place and vote!

I will be joining Bob Coburn at his mayoral campaign watch party, at the Indian Capitol Technology Center, and therefore will not be blogging the results.

However, I will use my Twitter account to update with election results as they come in. Keep an eye there for the results after 7:00pm.