James Newman will stick around for another term as Ward 3 city councilman.
Newman didn’t file to run for re-election in the April 6 election. However, no one else filed either, and the city asked Newman to stay until the next election in two years.
“I was surprised to learn that in Oklahoma, once elected to a seat, you remain at that seat until someone else is elected in your place. So even though I didn't run, and because no one ran for the seat, I will remain on the council for two more years until the next election,” Newman said.
Newman could have resigned his seat, he said, but that would have left the city scrambling to find someone to fill it.
One of the reasons Newman chose not to run for re-election was because he wanted to give someone else a chance to serve.
“If they wanted to be on the council, they should have ran for it,” Newman said. “So I plan to stay on and do whatever I can and be a voice for those in Ward 3 and anyone in Cordell. This is home.. it's a special place for a lot of us. I only hope I have something to offer to help it stay that way.”
Newman, fellow Ward 3 councilman Buddy Holman, and Ward 2 councilwoman Earlene Smith will continue on the city council because no one filed to oppose them. City Clerk Christie Cherry also will continue in her role as she faces no opposition.
There will be two contested races in the city council election on April 6. Vicky Dunlap faces Amy Riggs and Sheri Parsons in Ward 1. In Ward 4, Vona Baker (Hicks) will face off against Tad Boone.
Newman said he still encourages people to serve their city.
“Hopefully, next election time, there will be someone ready to step up and put their name on the line and be the next voice with fresh, new ideas on how to keep us special but still be current,” he said.