The contentious April 7th election is over, and candidates and representatives are responding to the outcomes.
Incumbent Elizabeth Nicolas, retained her seat at Ward 1 on the City Council. She made a statement early the next day thanking the voters of Ward One for their support. “Tuesday night’s win would not have been possible without you,” she said. “I am so grateful for every act of kindness! The hugs, calls, texts and especially your prayers were so appreciated! I am humbled by the outpouring of support! Thank you!”
She also had a message for those who didn’t vote for her, reminding them that she represented them as much as of her other constituents.
“I am here to serve everyone,” Nicolas said. “Please, don’t hesitate to reach out to me for any reason! We can make Sapulpa better by working together.”
Mike Harris was the candidate running against Nicolas for the Ward 1 seat. He also thanked everyone who voted and supported his campaign. “Your encouragement and belief in our community meant a great deal to me. I also want to congratulate Elizabeth on her victory and wish her success as she continues to serve our city,” Harris said.
He continued, “While this wasn’t the outcome we hoped for, I’m grateful for the opportunity to meet so many people and to be part of conversations about our city’s future. My commitment to this community remains strong, and I look forward to continuing to serve in any way I can. Thank you again, and God bless our city.”
David Mortazavi won for Ward 5 and will retain his seat for another term. The night of his win, he sent a statement to Sapulpa Times saying he was “deeply humbled and grateful.”
“First and foremost, I want to thank the entire Sapulpa community. Your trust, your support, and your belief in a better future for our city mean more to me than words can express. Whether you knocked on doors with me, put up a yard sign, shared a conversation over coffee, or simply offered a kind word — every single one of you played a part in this victory.”
Read the entirety of Mortazavi’s statement here.
Kent Glesener was the contender for Ward 5. In a statement on Facebook, he said he appreciated “everyone who helped with the campaign.”
“Although we did not win, we all should be thankful to God for our freedom, our Republic, and the voting process,” he said. “I’m sure David will continue to serve Ward 5 well, as our initial discussion in early January was that whoever wins in April, Sapulpa would be served well, no matter who wins. The best part of the campaign is always meeting hundreds of people at their doors and getting to know them. Finally, we did raise awareness and thus hopefully citizen participation for issues facing the City to seek productive solutions in the future.”
Alexander Hamilton was the incumbent for Ward 3 , but lost the race to challenger Leroy Harrison. In a statement on Facebook, Hamilton expressed his gratitude to his supporters. “To the 107 people who went out of their way to support me today, thank you,” he began. “It has been a joy to get to serve Sapulpa as a city councilman. I will always love and support the community and people of the town I call home.”
Hamilton also pledged his support to councilor-elect Leroy Harrison. “To Charles Leroy Harrison, you have my support and prayers as you take on the privilege and responsibility of serving these great people.”
Leroy Harrison defeated Hamilton for the Ward 3 seat. In his first post on Facebook since he began his campaign, he expressed “sincere appreciation” to his voters, and promised to “prioritize the people’s needs and concerns.”
“You are cordially invited to visit me at Beverly’s Fine Jewelry, 424 E. Dewey, at your convenience to discuss matters pertinent to our community,” he added. “Your insights are invaluable in helping me understand the city’s requirements.”
Central Tech was the other major issue on local ballots on Tuesday. The vo-tech school was asking for an increase in millage for the first time in nearly 30 years. The additional 2 mills would’ve equaled about $25 a year more for a home worth $100,000 in the counties that Central Tech served. The proposition ultimately failed by a margin of just 1.70%.
Central Tech Superintendent Kent Burris sent a statement to Sapulpa Times expressing his disappointment, but also his appreciation to those who participated. “While we are disappointed in tonight’s outcome, we respect the decision of the voters and appreciate everyone who participated. Central Tech will continue changing lives by preparing students for good-paying, in-demand jobs that support our communities. Demand for these programs remains strong, and we will continue working to serve as many students as possible.”