Midwest City sets council elections

Filing period for Ward 2, 4 and 6 is Dec. 2-4; primary election set for Feb. 11

By Jeff Harrison
Managing Editor

Midwest City will hold city council elections early next year.

Three of the six council seats will be on the ballot including Ward 2, 4 and 6.
A primary election has been set for Feb. 11, 2020, with a general election, if necessary on April 7, 2020. If two people file for an office, whoever has the most votes will win the election. If three or more file for an office, the two with the most votes will advance to a general election.

All three incumbent councilmen, Pat Byrne (Ward 2), Sean Reed (Ward 4) and Jeff Moore (Ward 6) said they will seek re-election.

Byrne, a retired Oklahoma City police officer, was elected to office in 2016. In the past four years, Byrne said the council and city staff have worked to improve the quality of life with new entertainment and restaurants as well as a recent bond issue. He vows to continue that work, if re-elected.

“Midwest City is at a point where a “voice of reason”, some consistency in governing combined with a look to the future is what is needed,” Byrne said in a news release.

Bryne said his priorities for a second term include: service to all residents; maintain and build on natural environment; create a safe, friendly and inclusive environment; continue to create a business friendly environment that ensure the city’s financial position is sustainable, and review and update plans to ensure Midwest City is a vibrant and livable city in the future.

Reed, a local business owner, was also elected to Ward 4 in 2016. He said he’s most proud of improved civility at city hall and economic development that have occurred since he took office.

“We have come a long way with employees relations and relations within the city. When I came in four years ago, it was a tough place to not only run but be a councilman. And I’d like to continue with the civility we started and continue down that road.”Reed highlighted development of the Warren Theatre and Sooner Road Shopping Center and redevelopment along Air Depot Boulevard, but said there is more work to be done.

“Just because you hit a home run does not mean go back in the dugout and not do anything the rest of the game,” he said. “We have more home runs, triples, doubles and singles to hit in economic development.”

Reed said he’s also been pleased with progress made at AllianceHealth Midwest under CEO Clay Franklin, and will push for improved care and staffing.
Moore, a local home builder, was elected to Ward 6 in 2012. He is the longest serving council member and will be seeking a third term in office. Moore was unopposed in 2016.

Candidates for office must be: a qualified elector of Midwest City; at least 25 years old; been a resident of Midwest City for at least one year preceding the election; and must at the time of the election be a resident in good faith of the respective ward.

The candidate filing period will run from Dec. 2-4. Candidates must file with the Oklahoma County Election Board.