Tulsa Mayoral Candidates Keith, Nichols Debate Homelessness, Policing, and Mayor Bynum’s Legacy

Both candidates say homelessness is a top priority and have plans to address the issue immediately.

"We think that for like $2.4 million, that in one year, we could get at least 200 families off of the streets. And they have got a nice solid plan. It’s gonna be philanthropy, it’s the Tulsa Housing Authority and the city of Tulsa. Everybody working together,” said Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith.

Rep. Monroe Nichols added, "That's why I started the campaign, to really launch a campaign to end homelessness by 2030. That strategy makes it so homelessness is rare, brief, and non-reoccurring, and get us a functional zero in six years."

When answering a question about attracting and retaining police officers, Keith criticized Nichols' voting record as a legislator.

Nichols responded, "I don't know what she's talking about."

Keith said, "SB 825 – Monroe voted to defund the police at the state level, at the state legislature. And I will never do that. I can promise you I will always have the backs of our law enforcement officers because they are the ones who keep us safe."

Nichols replied, "I would never defund the police. My dad was a police officer, and I'm sure that if he were alive today, he would be frustrated for somebody accusing me of doing so."

Senate Bill 825, passed in 2021, states that cities cannot redirect public safety tax dollars to other departments without voter approval. Nichols voted against the bill.

The candidates were also asked about the successes of Mayor G.T. Bynum's administration and what they would do differently.

“One thing I would like to do is make our permitting and inspections department more robust,” Keith said. “Developers from across this community, I've been working with them for the past year, and they are telling me over and over again that it's too difficult to get their projects out of the ground.”

Nichols highlighted the Tulsa Quality Indicators program. “Tulsa Quality Indicators, which he was very instrumental in getting up and going, and I really appreciate that because I think it's critical for us as we pass the baton from one administration to the other, that we have some understanding of where we need to work as a community to get better and to improve."

FULL VIDEO: Tulsa Mayoral Debate Between Karen Keith, Monroe Nichols