Municipalities select representatives following April 4 election

Steven Baldridge will represent Ward 2 on the Okmulgee City Council following the April 4 Run-off Election.

Baldridge faced challenger Rose Lynch in vying for the post. Baldridge received 226 ballots in his favor (54.85%) while Lynch was close behind with 186 votes (45.15%). Unofficial results show 412 residents voted in an election that was open to any citizen residing in the City of Okmulgee.

“I want to thank all of our citizens for getting out to vote,” Baldridge said following the election. “I am honored to have been re-elected to serve Okmulgee as a councilman. I have been elected to serve all of our citizens and to be your advocate at City Hall. Our future is bright and I will work to help our citizens by representing you in an honorable way. I look forward to the new challenges that await us.”

Lynch made the following statement about the run-off election: “I would like to thank all those who supported me and who encouraged me to run for Council Seat in Ward 2. I believe this election is not the end, but will be a continuation of pushing forward to help all Okmulgee citizens feel their needs are heard.”

Second, I would like to congratulate Steve Baldrige for his win, and for joining me in running our race with integrity. This was not a personal attack campaign nor was it a political party vs the other, but one to offer insight into the various wants and needs of our community. I also pledge my support when it comes to helping our town become a place welcoming to all and supporting all of our citizens. This is what our run was about in the first place, a better Okmulgee.

“Lastly, I would like to thank the voters who voted for me and believed my campaign slogan, ‘We rise by lifting others.’ We truly can make advances for Okmulgee if we continue to be engaged in our town politics, holding our elected servants to their promise of transparency and accountability.”

Kenneth Lyons will represent Ward 4 on the Beggs City Council following Tuesday’s election. He received 47 votes in his favor (60.26%), with Rick Mitchell receiving 26 (33.33%). Don Goswick, who had dropped out of the race, received five votes. There were 78 total ballots cast in the city.

Henryetta voters selected two new councilmembers to represent them on the city council.

In Ward 1, business owner Steve Sanford won election after he received 347 ballots in his favor (64.5%), followed by former councilman Bill Goodner with 108 votes, Greg Williams with 45 votes and Annette Sisson with 38.

Voters selected Vernon Van Meter as the Henryetta Council Ward 2 representative. He received 50.37% of the vote, garnering 272 ballots in his favor, followed by Shawn Buzan with 112 ballots. Christy Jeffcoat, who was the incumbent candidate, placed third with 86 votes, followed by Melissa Heminover who received 70. There were 540 residents who voted according to unofficial results, which will be certified by 5 p.m. today.

Ginny Holder will be sworn in to the Henryetta Public Schools Office 3 position following her win Tuesday over Shawn Okerson. Holder received 425 votes, while Okerson received 171.

Katie Quillin will serve as Trustee for Office No. 3 for the Town of Dewar. She beat challenger Emily Ramirez, 51-36, with 87 total ballots cast by voters.

— April 4 Election Summary

Okmulgee City Councilmember Ward No. 2 Steven R. Baldridge 226 54.85% Rose Lynch 186 45.15% — Precinct Baldridge Lynch 2 18 75 7 54 30 8 14 21 9 11 14 10 43 7 11 73 31 32 4 3 33 0 0 36 9 5 — Beggs City Councilmember Ward No. 4 Kenneth Lyons 47 60.26% Rick Mitchell 26 33.33% Don Goswick 5 6.41% — Precinct Michell Goswick Lyons 20 20 5 37 28 4 0 8 29 0 0 0 33 2 0 2 — Henryetta Public Schools Office No. 3 Ginny Holder 425 71.31% Shawn Okerson 171 28.69% — Precinct Holder Okerson 13 1 0 14 33 26 15 90 35 16 78 13 18 61 34 19 162 63 — Henryetta City Councilmember Ward No. 1 Steve Sanford 347 64.5% Bill Goodner 108 20.07% Greg Williams 45 8.36% Annette Sisson 38 7.06% — Precinct Williams Goodner Sisson Sanford 14 3 11 5 35 15 10 22 8 87 16 3 6 5 35 18 8 18 3 59 19 21 47 17 128 35 0 4 0 1 38 0 0 0 2 — Henryetta City Councilmember Ward No. 2 Vernon Van Meter 272 50.37% Shawn Buzan 112 20.74% Christy Jeffcoat 86 15.93% Melissa Heminover 70 12.96% — Precinct Van Meter Jeffcoat Heminover Buzan 14 24 10 5 13 15 63 12 18 36 16 31 7 5 8 18 39 17 15 16 19 113 36 26 39 35 0 4 1 0