Three candidates for Tulsa mayor threw verbal punches for an hour Thursday night at a debate at the historic Cain’s Ballroom.

And while no one landed a haymaker, businessman Brent VanNorman, Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith and Oklahoma Rep. Monroe Nichols all framed their case for succeeding Mayor G.T. Bynum, who is not seeking a third, four-year term.

In partnership with 2 News Oklahoma and NonDoc, the Tulsa Regional Chamber hosted the event, titled Tulsa Two Step, which was watched by an estimated 300 attendees and streamed live by 2 News Oklahoma. Tres Savage of NonDoc and Erin Christy of 2 News Oklahoma served as moderators.

“I’ve had experience at the state, at the city, at the (Tulsa Regional) Chamber, and I am the only person with that broad of experience in this race,” said Nichols, who has served four terms in the Oklahoma House. “I think homelessness is No. 1 on everybody’s mind, and it’s the issue that we’ve committed to ending by 2030.”

The nonpartisan mayoral primary election is Aug. 27. A runoff election, if necessary, would be Nov. 5.

Thursday’s mayoral forum featured the three candidates who, according to public polling, had either reached the 10% support threshold by the mandated deadline of Aug. 1 or had raised at least $50,000 of reported and deposited campaign funds.  

VanNorman, who also is an attorney, accountant and former pastor, moved to Tulsa about three years ago. He said the city needs to be more accommodating to businesses.

“We have too many times where we don’t treat you like the customer, and we need to treat you like the customer,” VanNorman said. “We need to streamline processes. The permitting process takes way too long right now.

“You can’t say that we are open for business if you can’t open a business. So, I commit to making Tulsa the business friendliest place on Earth.” 

Keith has served four terms as Tulsa County commissioner and previously worked as a local television news anchor. She said the relationships she has at the local, state and federal levels set her apart.

“That’s how you get things done,” she said. “It’s not putting something on a piece of paper. I know how to collaborate with people, bring the best minds together to solve problems.”

The debate encompassed three rounds, with Savage and Christy keeping the pace brisk, typically allowing candidates to respond in 30-, 60- or 90-second intervals. Each was allowed a two-minute closing statement.

“I would suggest that both of my opponents here believe the way to solve most of these problems is by growing government, by adding departments, by increasing costs,” VanNorman said. “My idea is much different than that. I believe in the free market system. I believe in streamlining government that serves you and doesn’t smother you.”

Keith said a vote for her would mean a mayor who “doesn’t need training wheels” to find her way around.

“I have the experience to hit the ground running,” she said. “I have relationships with a lot of people, and relationships matter when you want to move the needle. 

“…I want to build upon this administration’s successes, but I have my own ideas, and I look forward to moving our city forward.”

Nichols had the final words.

“It’s been said today that putting things on paper doesn’t matter,” he said. “Putting things on paper is about accountability. Putting things on paper is making a commitment.

“Coming up at a debate and trying to think of things you can say to make folks clap for you is not how you run a city. You run a city with a plan and a vision, and if you elect me, we are going to go and win the next decade and put Tulsa on the move."