As Sapulpa approaches the final days before its upcoming city council election, a controversial piece of campaign propaganda circulating in the community has raised concerns about misinformation, fear-based messaging, and the tone of local political discourse.
The election, set for Tuesday, includes contested races in Wards 1, 3, and 5. While municipal elections in Sapulpa are typically low-key and focused on local issues, recent developments have brought an unexpected level of tension to the campaign season.
In a recent episode of the Timeloop, Sapulpa Times Publisher Micah Choquette showed screenshots from a pamphlet that targets Ward 5 City Councilor David Mortazavi, who is up for re-election on Tuesday.
The pamphlet includes an introduction that reads, “Are you aware that David Mortazavi’s real/given name is Seyed Davood Khalili Mortazavi? This is difficult information to read, but if you care about you [sic] or your loved ones [sic] lives, you want to read this and educate yourself.”
The pamphlet is then followed by 8 pages of details on Sharia Law and the Muslim ideology, including subjects like “honor killing,” underage marriage, and the basis of hatred against Jews and Christians. The document references Mortazavi’s Iranian heritage and promotes claims that he could push for Islamic law at the local level—an assertion widely described by community leaders as unfounded and unrealistic.
Mortazavi, a longtime local business owner and community supporter, immigrated to the United States from Iran as a child and has been active in civic and charitable efforts in Sapulpa for years.
In the episode, Choquette notes that even if such claims had any basis—which he and others strongly deny—the structure of city government would make such actions impossible. “The fact remains that he’s one man among ten that sits on the city council, and even if he were to try to introduce some sort of Sharia Law, the idea that he would be able to convince the other 9 members of the City Council to get on board with this sort of thing is preposterous,” he said.
In addition to the pamphlet’s content, there are allegations about its distribution. Multiple sources have indicated that the pamphlets may have been placed in the mailboxes of residents displaying Mortazavi campaign signs. If true, such actions could violate federal regulations regarding mail delivery.
The pamphlet ends with the phrase, “Great Blessings, Christie Glesener, President/Founder of Shofar International Foundation,” indicating that the source of the material is from the campaign office of Kent Glesener, who is Mortazavi’s opponent.
Sapulpa Vice Mayor Carla Gunn, who joined the discussion, said the situation is both disappointing and concerning, noting that similar tactics were used during her 2022 campaign.
“It’s reckless and it’s dangerous,” Gunn said, describing how misinformation and personal attacks can escalate into real-world threats. She recalled receiving threatening messages, having individuals show up at her workplace, and requiring police presence at her home during her campaign.
Gunn emphasized that while political disagreements are expected, there is a line between debate and actions that incite fear or target individuals based on identity.
“When those conversations turn into accusations that threaten your family, it changes everything,” she said.
Both Gunn and Choquette highlighted a broader concern about the divisions in national politics and their increasing influence on local elections. Issues and rhetoric more common in national politics are now appearing in municipal races, where decisions typically focus on infrastructure, budgeting, and community services rather than on national policy debates.
The city Council in Sapulpa operates as a nonpartisan body, with members expected to represent all residents regardless of political affiliation. Gunn noted that council decisions are based on what is best for the community, not on national party platforms.
“We’re not asking if someone is a Democrat or a Republican when they call with a concern,” she said. “We’re trying to solve problems.”
Community leaders are encouraging voters to seek information directly from candidates and engage in constructive dialogue rather than relying on anonymous or inflammatory materials.
Despite the controversy, officials expressed hope that Sapulpa voters will focus on the issues and the candidates’ qualifications as they head to the polls.
“This is a place where we all grew up, where we love our community,” Gunn said. “It’s just sad that we’re having to talk about fear and propaganda instead of the good things happening in our town.”
The election will take place Tuesday, with residents in the affected wards casting votes for their next city council representatives.
Watch the full episode of the Timeloop below or for free on the Sapulpa Times YouTube Channel:
