Candidates file for Muskogee Mayor, City Council races

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Voters in the city of Muskogee will go to the polls in February 2022 (yes, it's closer than you think) to vote on the mayoral and city council offices. Filing concluded yesterday, although candidates can still withdraw until Friday evening.

Officially, these races are non-partisan; however, voter registration can give you an idea of how a candidate leans. Given that these races tend to attract little attention, I'm posting the candidates registration, as well as a map of the Muskogee City Council Wards (above).

With the incredible growth of the Republican Party in previously Democrat-dominated areas of the state, including Muskogee, many of the candidates now are registered Republicans. 

Muskogee mayoral race goes to runoff between Coleman and Divelbiss

L-R: Muskogee mayoral candidates Marlon Coleman and Wayne Divelbiss

Polls have closed in Muskogee, and the votes have been counted. In a five-way race for mayor, the field has been winnowed down to a runoff between city councilman Marlon Coleman and two-time candidate Wayne Divelbiss. Divelbiss ran a well-funded, but very negative campaign, finishing ahead of sitting mayor Janey Cagle-Boydston to avoid missing the runoff.

A former city councilor herself, Boydston has been serving as mayor since April 2019, when Bob Coburn resigned to take an appointment with the Oklahoma Transportation Commission.

I believe the runoff will be held on April 7th. Municipal elections in Muskogee are nonpartisan.

Final (uncertified) vote tally:

1. Marlon Coleman: 39.63%
2. Wayne Divelbiss: 29.91%
3. Janey Cagle Boydston: 23.66%
4. Tracy Cole: 5.25%
5. John Lowrimore: 1.56%

Here's a quick map of the results, showing who came in first in each precinct. Some of them are very close, such as Precinct 7, where Divelbiss beat out Coleman by a vote of 181 to 180:

Also, in case anyone complains about the colors, I go with the main color of the candidates' signage/logo. It's how my maps have worked for almost a decade when it comes to primaries or nonpartisan elections.

In the city council races, Stephanie Morgan cruised to victory in Ward 1 (full term) over former city councilor David Ragsdale, 71.48% to 28.52%. In the race for the unfinished term in Ward 1 (vacated by then-vice mayor Janey Boydston when she succeeded Coburn mayor), Evelyn Hibbs defeated Ashley Davis 64.49% to 35.51%. 

In Ward 4, Traci McGee (52.47%) defeated incumbent councilor Wayne Johnson (34.41% and fellow challenger James Webb (13.12%).

Muskogee mayoral and city council elections today

Voters in Muskogee will be going to the polls today to elect a mayor and three city council members, in addition to a school board member. To view your own sample ballot from your voting precint, use this link from the State Election Board.

Voting is open until 7:00pm.

Muskogee Mayor

• Janey Cagle Boydston [filling partial term]
• Tracy Cole
• Marlon Coleman
• Wayne Divelbiss
• John Lowrimore

Muskogee City Council, Ward 1 (full term)

• Stephanie Morgan
• David Ragsdale, Jr.

Muskogee City Council, Ward 1 (unexpired term)

• Ashley Davis
• Evelyn Hibbs

Muskogee City Council, Ward 4

• Wayne Johnson [incumbet]
• Traci McGee
• James Webb

Here is a map of the city council wards in Muskogee. You can view the image in a larger size by clicking on it:

School Board (Hilldale)

• Stacy Miller
• Dean Pemberton
• Brad Williams (incumbent)