Candidates line up for Midwest City, school board races

Midwest City mayor, two council members draw challengers

By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon

Twelve people filed for upcoming local elections during a three-day filing period.

The City of Midwest City and the Mid-Del and Crutcho boards of education scheduled elections for next year. Candidates were required to file with the Oklahoma County Election Board from Dec. 6-9.

The primary election is set for Feb. 8, 2022. A general election, if needed, will be April 5.

Midwest City

Midwest City’s Mayor race attracted the most attention with four candidates. Incumbent Matt Dukes, Bill Bridges, Ren Caldwell and Charles Wallace have all filed for the race. Dukes has served as Mayor since April 2016 following a recall election. He ran unopposed in 2018.

City Council seats in Ward 1, 3 and 5 are also on the upcoming election.

In Ward 1, incumbent Susan Eads was the only candidate to file. Eads has served on the council since January of 2017 when she was appointed to fill a vacancy. She was re-elected in 2018.

Ward 3 will have a three-person race. Incumbent Españiola Bowen, AJ Bailey and Megan Bain filed for the office. Bowen is in her first term in office. She ran unopposed in 2018.

Two candidates declared in Ward 5. Incumbent Christine Allen and challenger Sara Bana both filed. Allen is in her second term in office. She was elected in 2014 and ran unopposed in 2018.

Midwest City’s mayor is selected by an at-large election. The other city council members are elected by voters in each respective ward.

All city council offices are elected to a four-year term.

Mid-Del Schools

Dr. Silvya Kirk will retain her position on the Mid-Del School Board after running unopposed. She has served as the Office No. 2 representative since she was appointed in April of 2020.

The office is a five-year-term.

Crutcho Public Schools

Paul Keeler was unchallenged in his bid for reelection on the Crutcho Public Schools Board of Education. Keeler is the current representative for Office No. 3.

The office is a three-year term.

 

Local Candidates

Midwest City Mayor: Bill Bridges, Ren Caldwell, Matt Dukes*, Charles Wallace

City Council Ward 1: Susan Eads*

City Council Ward 3:  AJ Bailey, Megan Bain, Españiola Bowen*

City Council Ward 5: Christine Allen*, Sara Bana

Mid-Del School Board Office No. 2: Silvya Kirk*

Crutcho School Board Office No. 3: Paul Keeler*

* Incumbent