Monroe Nichols Explained

Monroe Nichols
Office:Minority Caucus Vice Chair of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
Term Start:January 2017
Term End:January 2023
Successor:John Waldron
State House1:Oklahoma
District1:72nd
Term Start1:November 17, 2016
Predecessor1:Seneca Scott
Birth Date:24 September 1983
Party:Democratic
Education:University of Tulsa (B.A.)
University of Oklahoma (M.P.A.)
Module:
Embed:yes
School:University of Tulsa Golden Hurricanes
Position:Wide receiver (2002-2005)
Class:2005
Children:1

Monroe Nichols IV (born September 24, 1983) is an American politician and former college football player who has served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 72nd district since 2016. He is the first African-American to represent the district. In July 2023, he announced he would not seek re-election to the Oklahoma House in order to run in the 2024 Tulsa mayoral election.

Early life

Monroe Nichols IV was born September 24, 1983, to Ramona Curtis and Monroe Nichols III.[1] His father and uncle were both police officers. His mother was a parole officer and his grandfather was a pastor and United States Air Force veteran.[2] He later graduated high school from Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School in Waco, Texas, where he played on his high school's football team as a quarterback. He attended the University of Tulsa where in 2002 he walked-on the football team as receiver.[3] When interviewed about pursuing an NFL career in 2005, Nichols told the Tulsa World he instead wanted to focus on politics and hoped to one day become Governor of his home state of Texas.[4] He graduated with a degree in political science and economics.[5]

Early career

In 2006, shortly after graduating from college Nichols was hired by Tulsa mayor Kathy Taylor to work on a crime initiative to prevent gang activity.[6] He worked again for Taylor as her campaign manager for the 2013 Tulsa mayoral election.[7]

Nichols also worked as the chief of staff for former OU-Tulsa president Gerry Clancy, as an economic development manager at the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, and as a director of business retention and expansion programs for the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce. In 2014, he cofounded the nonprofit ImpactTulsa. From 2014 to 2016 he served on the Tulsa Technology Center Board of Education.[8]

2008 campaign

Nichols first campaigned for the 72nd district of the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2008 while working in Tulsa mayor Kathy Taylor's office. Incumbent Darrell Gilbert was term limited from seeking re-election.[9] He received 9% of the vote while Seneca Scott and Christie Breedlove advanced to a runoff.[10]

Oklahoma House of Representatives

2016 election and first term

Nichols was listed as one of over 30 individuals who filed for office with ties to education in 2016.[11] During the 2016 election, no Libertarian or independent candidate filed to run in district 72.One Republican, Whitney Cole, filed to run in the district. However, Nichols filed a challenge to their candidacy and the Election Board removed them from the ballot, making the Democratic primary election the de facto election for the seat.[12] Maria Barnes, a former Tulsa city councilor, and Nichols were the only two candidates.[13] The Tulsa World endorsed Nichols in the 2016 Democratic primary election calling him a voice "for the future."[14] Nichols was also endorsed by Kathy Taylor. He narrowly defeated Maria Barnes in the primary election.[15] On November 17, 2016, Monroe Nichols became the first African-American elected to represent Oklahoma House District 72. On May 1, 2017, Nichols co-hosted the first Hispanic Cultural Day at the state Capitol.[16]

First re-election campaign and second term

In 2018, A.C. Forst challenged Nichols in the Democratic primary. Forst campaigned on being more politically moderate than Nichols.[17] Nichols was endorsed by the Tulsa World and Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce.[18] [19] Nichols won the Democratic primary and faced no general election opponent.[20]

In January 2020, Nichols was one of over 200 signatories asking Tulsa mayor G.T. Bynum to not bring Live PD to Tulsa.[21] Later that month he was one of a group of lawmakers who criticized Governor Kevin Stitt for appointing members to the University of Oklahoma board of regents who live outside of the state. All three members of the board appointed by Stitt had recently missed an eight hour board meeting.[22] In June, he called the creation of a state level independent monitor to investigate police shootings and an Oklahoma law enforcement database to alert departments if an applicant has previously resigned other employment during an internal investigation and prior to being fired for cause.[23] [24]

2020 re-election campaign and third term

See also: 2020 Oklahoma House of Representatives election.

In 2020, Maria Barnes challenged Nichols in the Democratic primary for a second time.[25] The Tulsa World endorsed Nichols again for the 2020 election.[26] Nichols defeated Barnes with 69% of the vote in the Democratic primary. Republican Ismail A. Shan had been removed from the ballot after a challenge to his candidacy for living outside the district.[27] Therefore, Nichols was re-elected without a general election.[28]

During the 2020 election cycle Nichols also worked as a senior advisor for the Michael Bloomberg presidential campaign in Oklahoma.[29] He also endorsed Greg Robinson in the 2020 Tulsa mayoral election.

In May 2021, Nichols stepped down from the Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission in protest of Governor Kevin Stitt's signing of HB 1775, calling the bill "a direct shot in the face for all of us who have been working hard on the commission, for all of us who have been working toward recognition, reconciliation. I would have to say it was the most disruptive thing that a governor could have done. And Kevin Stitt did it with a smile on his face."[30]

2022 re-election campaign and current term

See also: 2022 Oklahoma House of Representatives election. While Nichols reportedly considered running in the 2022 Oklahoma gubernatorial election, he declined after both Connie Johnson and Joy Hofmeister announced their campaigns.[31] Nichols was re-elected to his house seat without opposition in 2022.[32] During the 59th Oklahoma Legislature, Nichols authored one successful bill which allowed police officers to issue warnings to people with outstanding warrants, instead of requiring an arrest.

Nichols also works as the Director of Policy and Partnerships for StriveTogether, a nonprofit.

2024 Tulsa Mayoral election

See main article: 2024 Tulsa mayoral election. On July 13, 2023, Nichols announced he would not seek re-election and would instead be a candidate in the 2024 Tulsa mayoral election.[33] If elected, he would be Tulsa's first Black mayor. He faced Casey Bradford, Kaleb Hoosier, John Jolley, Karen Keith, Paul Tay, and Brent VanNorman in the first round of the election.[34] He was endorsed by the Tulsa World and The Black Wall Street Times.[35] [36] He also got endorsements from former Governors of Oklahoma Brad Henry and David Walters, as well as former mayor Kathy Taylor.[37] [38]

Electoral history

Nichols was re-elected without opposition in 2022.

Publications

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2005 Football Roster: Monroe Nichols . tulsahurricane.com . University of Tulsa . 16 June 2022.
  2. Web site: Monroe Nichols wants to be Tulsa's next mayor . readfrontier.com . The Frontier . 28 August 2023 . Podcast . August 24, 2023.
  3. News: Tramel . Jimmie . Newcomers report to TU camp . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 6 August 2002.
  4. News: Bailey . Eric . A governing passion . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 18 October 2005.
  5. News: Morris . Nate . Monroe Nichols runs for Mayor to move Tulsa forward for everyone . 13 July 2023 . . July 13, 2023.
  6. News: Lassek . P.J. . Mayor's staff taking shape . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 4 June 2006.
  7. News: Stoycoff . Zack . Workers in Tulsa mayoral campaigns see candidates' other sides . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 15 September 2013.
  8. Web site: REPRESENTATIVE MONROE NICHOLS DISTRICT 72 - DEMOCRAT . okhouse.gov . Oklahoma House of Representatives . 4 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211124002346/https://www.okhouse.gov/members/District.aspx?District=72 . 24 November 2021.
  9. News: Hinton . Mick . 5 Democrats in HD 72 race . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 13 June 2008.
  10. News: State races . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 30 July 2008.
  11. News: Eger . Andrea . 'The Teacher Caucus': Pro-public education candidates to file Wednesday for state legislative races . 5 January 2022 . Tulsa World . 13 April 2016.
  12. News: Hoberock . Barbara . Knox to stay on the ballot in race for Senate District 11 . 5 January 2022 . Tulsa World . 26 April 2021.
  13. Web site: Barbara Hoberock . Two Democrats vie to claim post vacated by state Rep. Seneca Scott . Tulsaworld.com . 2016-06-17 . 2019-03-05.
  14. News: Tulsa World Editorial endorsement: For Monroe Nichols in House District 72 . 5 January 2022 . Tulsa World . 16 June 2016.
  15. News: Krehbiel . Randy . Four elected to Legislature; incumbent Walker ousted . 5 January 2022 . Tulsa World . 29 June 2016.
  16. News: Krehbiel . Randy . Political notebook: Hispanic Cultural Day set for May 1 at state Capitol . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 23 April 2017.
  17. News: Krehbiel . Randy . House District 72 to be decided in June 26 primary . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 17 June 2018.
  18. News: Tulsa World editorial: In House District 72, Monroe Nichols has shown leadership and deserves re-election . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 9 June 2018.
  19. News: Krehbiel . Randy . Tulsa Regional Chamber endorses primary candidates . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 13 June 2018.
  20. News: Krehbiel . Randy . Six incumbent Republicans beaten in primaries; many others forced into runoffs . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 27 June 2018.
  21. News: Canfield . Kevin . As critics urge against 'Live PD' in Tulsa, mayor stands behind participating in the show . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 13 January 2020.
  22. News: Savage . Tres . With Stitt appointees absent, OU regents hold 8-hour executive session . 16 June 2022 . NonDoc . 29 January 2020.
  23. News: Trotter . Matt . Tulsa Lawmaker Proposes Slate of Police Reforms . 16 June 2022 . Public Radio Tulsa . 10 June 2020.
  24. News: Savage . Tres . Rep. Monroe Nichols pitches policing reforms … again . 16 June 2022 . NonDoc . 10 June 2020.
  25. News: Krehbiel . Randy . Nichols, Barnes again square off for House seat in decisive Democratic primary . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 21 June 2020.
  26. News: Tulsa World editorial: COVID-19 changes almost everything, but it doesn't change the importance of voting . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 28 June 2020.
  27. News: Hoberock . Barbara . Candidate challenges: McDugle stays on ballot, Luttrell re-elected . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 22 April 2020.
  28. News: Krehbiel . Randy . Hoberock . Bar . Dossett, Rogers win state Senate primaries; four legislative incumbents beaten . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 1 July 2020.
  29. News: Cuccia . Annemarie . House District 72: A rematch of 2016 for Democrats . 16 June 2022 . NonDoc . 23 June 2020.
  30. News: Halbleib . Brady . State Rep. Monroe Nichols resigns from Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission . 16 June 2022 . 2 News Oklahoma . 12 May 2021.
  31. News: Krehbiel . Randy . Brad Henry, Oklahoma's last Democratic governor, feels a kinship with Hofmeister . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 13 November 2021.
  32. News: Krehbiel . Randy . 'New' legislator wins state House seat just by filing . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 24 April 2022.
  33. News: Canfield. Kevin . July 13, 2023 . Monroe Nichols announces he's running for Tulsa mayor . July 13, 2023 . . en.
  34. News: Loveless . Tristan . Tulsa County Election Board rejects Paul Tay challenge to Karen Keith candidacy . 22 August 2024 . NonDoc . 20 June 2024.
  35. News: Endorsement: Monroe Nichols is best choice as mayor for Tulsa's future . 18 August 2024 . . August 17, 2024.
  36. News: The Black Wall Street Times Editorial Board Endorses Monroe Nichols for Tulsa’s 41st Mayor . 21 August 2024 . . 21 August 2024.
  37. Web site: Prock . David . Tulsa Mayoral Candidate Monroe Nichols Endorsed By Former Oklahoma Governors . https://web.archive.org/web/20230926181612/https://www.news9.com/story/6512f7ae64b2a2071bdd5833/tulsa-mayoral-candidate-monroe-nichols-endorsed-by-former-oklahoma-governors . September 26, 2023 . September 26, 2023 . September 26, 2023 . . en-US.
  38. News: Boblitt . Zach . Former Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor endorses Monroe Nichols . 22 August 2024 . . 15 August 2024 . en.
  39. News: Nichols . Monroe . Monroe Nichols: Four things I learned in the 2017 Legislature . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 25 June 2017.
  40. News: Nichols . Monroe . Rep. Monroe Nichols: Oklahoma Democrats offer state budget alternative that is truly business friendly . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 9 May 2019.
  41. News: Nichols . Monroe . Column: Gun safety reform is a call for citizen action . 16 June 2022 . Tulsa World . 9 June 2022.