Below are our recommendations for the 2021 Metro-area City Council and School Board primaries on February 9th. Full endorsements by Ignite Liberty are in bold. Not all candidates responded to our surveys. As such, we could not offer a formal endorsement in each race. However, we have offered our strong recommendations in italics. As always, we urge you to thoroughly research each candidate before you make your choice.
City Council Races
OKC City Council – Ward 1:
- Bradley Carter: Fully Endorsed by Ignite Liberty; Mark and Denise Hader; Robert and Carol Hefner; Representative Marylin Stark – HD100; Representative Jay Steagall – HD43; Oklahoma Faith Leaders/Paul Abner; Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee (OCPAC). “A” rating from OK2A.
- Jay Sherrill: Endorsed by Mick Cornett, and a favorite of the OKC City Council Establishment. “A” rating from OK2A.
- Shay Varnell: Currently serves on the OKC Traffic and Transportation Committee for Ward 1. Another favorite of the OKC City Council establishment. “A” rating from OK2A. No verified endorsements.
- Nana Abram Dankwa: Local attorney for MidFirst Bank. No verified endorsements.
- Joshua Debolt: Founder of Sociallutions Media Group. No verified endorsements.
- Megan Scott: Project manager for the Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development. No verified endorsements.
- Susan Parisi: 30-year Air Force Veteran. No verified endorsements.
- Bill Fleming: Chair – Healthy Living & Fitness, Inc. “A” rating from OK2A. No verified endorsements.
- Richard Buchanan: No campaign website. No verified endorsements.
OKC City Council – Ward 3:
- Barbara Young: One of the first candidates to enter the race. A solid conservative with a proven track record. Highly successful businesswoman. Ignite Liberty was unable to get a response from her campaign, and therefore cannot formally endorse, but we STRONGLY RECOMMEND her. One of her strongest opponents is a committed leftist. YWCA Oklahoma City – Board Member, National Association of Women in Construction – Board Member, Oklahoma Women Run Foundation – Board Member. Endorsed by OK2A.
- Allen Swanda: Retired 30-year Army Officer. No verified endorsements. “A” rating from OK2A
- Jessica Martinez-Brooks: Avowed leftist. Supported by Mark Faulk of Red State Revolt, a local Black Lives Matter agitator. 2018 Mayor Holt Appointee to OKC Water Utilities Trust. Favored candidate of OKC political establishment. Endorsed by Oklahoma Retired Firefighters Association, Tony Tyler – Tyler Media, Matt Echols, Retired OKC Police Chief Bill Citty.
- Trey Bishop: No campaign website. “A” rating by OK2A. No verified endorsements.
- Tim Long: No campaign website. No verified endorsements.
- Kelli Payne: President, Oklahoma National Stockyards. 5th generation farmer and rancher. No verified endorsements.
OKC City Council – Ward 4:
- Todd Stone (Incumbent): Todd Stone has disappointed greatly in his inability to stand up to Mayor Holt’s tyrannical handling of COVID. However, his main opponent is a committed leftist, and participated in the Black Lives Matter riots in OKC this summer. In this ward, he is the ONLY safe choice. Fully endorsed by OK2A.
- Sam Warin Grimaldo: 2nd year law student at OU Law. Former OKCPS school teacher. Avowed leftist and supporter of Marxist OKC City Councilman James Cooper. Supported by Mark Faulk and Red State Revolt, a local Black Lives Matter agitator. Not rated by OK2A.
- Larry Hopper: 20+ year OKC city planner. No verified endorsements. “C” rating from OK2A.
Edmond City Council – Ward 3:
- Cody Boyd: Member of Edmond Public Transportation Committee. President of Ripple Creek Neighborhood Association. Member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Edmond Chamber of Commerce. No verified endorsements endorsements.
- Sheryl Janis: Staunch constitutional conservative. Deeply committed to defending liberty and freedom in all areas of life. Believes in limited government. Member of Liberty Slate of candidates.
- Christin Mugg: Graduate 1st in her class at OCU Law. Editor in Chief of OCU Law Review. Specializes in estate planning and tax law. Supports expanding infrastructure and investment in parks and recreational areas.
Edmond City Council – Ward 4:
- Michael Buoy: Successful realtor. Licensed minister. Served on staff at Life.Church, Mosaic Church, and Sooner Harvest Church of God. “A” rating from OK2A. Former Republican candidate for HD39. No verified endorsements.
- Stacie Peterson: Staunch constitutional conservative. Co-owner, Paragon Homes. Edmond Chamber of Commerce Ambassador. Member of Liberty Slate of candidates. Endorsed by OK2A.
- David Miller: Previously served as Ward 4 Councilman for 10 years, and Mayor Pro-Tem for 2 years. Oversaw Broadway expansion, and Covell Road expansion. No campaign website available. “A” rating from OK2A.
- Ryan Dahle: No candidate website or social media accounts. No verified endorsements.
School Board Elections
As important as City Council races are, School Boards are even more important. Not only are the school board responsible for creating the next generation of leaders, but they also handle budgets much larger than any municipality. As such, a commitment to fiscal responsibility and protecting our children from revisionist history (a.k.a. the 1619 Project) are the most important things to consider when voting for school board positions.
OKC School Board Chairperson (elections for OKCPS Office 1 & 2 are on April 6th):
- Wilfredo Santos Rivera: 50-year career as an educator and grass roots organizer in East Harlem, South Bronx, Puerto Rican ghettos and Southside Oklahoma City promising bringing systemic change to OKCPS. Pro-life. No verified endorsements.
- Paula Lewis (Incumbent): Favorite of the OKC political establishment. Endorsed by State Senator Julia Kirt – SD30 (D); Representative Mickey Dollens – HD93 (D); Oklahoma AFT – official Teacher’s Union of OKCPS; Carrie Blumert, Oklahoma County Commissioner (D); and OKC Mayor David Holt. She must NOT be re-elected.
- Charles Henry: Favorite of the OKC African American community. Endorsed by Rev. Derrick Scobey – pastor, Ebenezer Baptist Church (the same church that received a large donation from leftist Sasha Baron Cohen). Supporter of radical Marxist organization Black Lives Matter.
This is a difficult race to choose from. Mr. Rivera does have a great deal of experience as an educator in dealing with inner-city youths, but remains a relative unknown to Ignite Liberty. Mrs. Lewis and Mr. Henry, however, appear to be avowed leftists. While Lewis and Henry maybe fiscally responsible, they will sell our children out to revisionist history. That cannot be ignored. As such, we are recommending Mr. Rivera.
Putnam City School Board – Office No. 3 (election for Office No. 1 is on April 6th):
- Sky Collins (Incumbent): Was appointed to fill the remaining term of Position 3 in mid-2020. Leftist Democrat candidate focusing on diversity, inclusion, and “removing barriers too equality.” Committed leftist. Will not defend the children of Putnam City against revisionist history. MUST GO.
- Judy Hopper: Former Democratic candidate for Oklahoma SD 47 against Greg Treat. Proud leftist and support of Biden/Harris. Will not defend the children of Putnam City against revisionist history.
- Phillip Owens: Highly successful attorney. Husband, father of 6 children, all of whom attend Putnam City schools. Committed, level-headed conservative. Former Warr Acres City Councilman. Fiscally conservative. Committed to protecting the children of Putnam City against revisionist history. Endorsed by local attorney Jonathan Krems.
Edmond Public Schools – Board Member, Office: 1
- Margaret Best: Deeply committed constitutional conservative. Staunch advocate for re-opening schools without mask mandates. Fierce defender of liberty. Mother of four, a registered nurse, realtor and a parent who will have children in EPS over the next five years. Liberty Slate Candidate. Endorsed by Oklahomans for Health and Parental Rights. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by Ignite Liberty.
- Latarsha Hodges: Leftist-leaning candidate. Supporter of mask mandates and social distancing mandates. Supporter of mandatory COVID-19 vaccination. NOT a supporter of re-opening schools under current conditions until 70% of population has received the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Jerod Kersey: Candidate has withdrawn, though name will still be on the ballot.
- Lee Ann Kuhlman (Incumbent): Has held position for the last 10 years, as such is partly responsible for the current A/B schedule. Endorsed by Jim Hulsey, President of Character Council of Edmond;
- Charles Woodham: Former Edmond High School Principal. Very little information about candidate available.