Monroe Nichols facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Monroe Nichols
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Nichols in 2016
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| 41st Mayor of Tulsa | |
| Assumed office December 2, 2024 |
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| Preceded by | G. T. Bynum |
| Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from the 72nd district |
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| In office November 17, 2016 – November 20, 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Seneca Scott |
| Succeeded by | Michelle McCane |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Monroe Nichols IV
September 24, 1983 Waco, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | University of Tulsa (BA) University of Oklahoma (MPA) |
| College football career | |
| University of Tulsa Golden Hurricanes | |
| Position | Wide receiver (2002-2005) |
| Class | 2005 |
| Major | Political science |
| Career history | |
| High school | Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School |
Monroe Nichols IV (born September 24, 1983) is an American politician. He became the Mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2024. Before that, he served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives for the 72nd district from 2016 to 2024.
Nichols was born in Waco, Texas. He played high school and college football at Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School and the University of Tulsa. After college, he worked for Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor. In 2016, he won the election to represent the 72nd district in the Oklahoma House. He was the first African American to hold that seat. He was re-elected three times.
In 2024, Nichols was elected Mayor of Tulsa. He is the first African American to be elected to this important position. He started his term on December 2, 2024.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps
Monroe Nichols IV was born on September 24, 1983, in Waco, Texas. His parents were Ramona Curtis and Monroe Nichols III. His father and uncle were police officers. His mother worked as a parole officer. His grandfather was a pastor and a veteran of the United States Air Force.
Nichols graduated from Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School in Waco, Texas. He played quarterback on his high school football team. He then went to the University of Tulsa. In 2002, he joined the football team as a wide receiver. In 2005, he said he wanted to focus on politics instead of an NFL career. He hoped to become Governor of Texas one day. He earned degrees in political science and economics.
Starting a Career in Public Service
After graduating from college in 2006, Nichols was hired by Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor. He worked on a program to prevent gang activity. He later managed Taylor's campaign for the 2013 Tulsa mayoral election.
Nichols also held other important jobs. He was the chief of staff for Gerry Clancy, a former president of OU-Tulsa. He worked as an economic development manager for the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. He also directed business programs for the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce. In 2014, he helped start a non-profit group called ImpactTulsa. From 2014 to 2016, he served on the Tulsa Technology Center Board of Education. Nichols also worked for StriveTogether, another non-profit organization.
Serving in the Oklahoma House of Representatives
First Try: 2008 Election
Nichols first tried to become a state representative in 2008. He ran for the 72nd district of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The person holding the seat, Darrell Gilbert, could not run again. Nichols received 9% of the votes. Seneca Scott and Christie Breedlove moved on to a second round of voting.
Winning a Seat: 2016 Election
In 2016, Nichols ran for the 72nd district again. No other major party candidates ran against him. This meant the winner of the Democratic primary election would likely win the seat. Maria Barnes, a former Tulsa city council member, was his only opponent.
The Tulsa World newspaper supported Nichols. They called him a voice "for the future." Kathy Taylor also supported him. Nichols won the primary election by a small number of votes. On November 17, 2016, Monroe Nichols made history. He became the first African American to represent Oklahoma House District 72. In 2017, he helped host the first Hispanic Cultural Day at the state Capitol.
Re-election and Key Actions
In 2018, Nichols was challenged by A.C. Forst in the Democratic primary. Nichols won easily. He then had no opponent in the general election.
In 2020, Nichols was one of many people who asked Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum not to bring a TV show called Live PD to Tulsa. He also joined other lawmakers in criticizing Governor Kevin Stitt. They were concerned about new members appointed to the University of Oklahoma board. Later that year, Nichols called for a state group to investigate police shootings. He also wanted a database to track police officers who left jobs during investigations.
Nichols ran for re-election in 2020. Maria Barnes challenged him again. The Tulsa World supported Nichols once more. He won the primary with 69% of the votes. He was re-elected without a general election opponent.
In May 2021, Nichols left the Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission. He did this to protest Governor Kevin Stitt signing HB 1775. Nichols said the bill was "a direct shot in the face" to those working for recognition and healing.
In 2022, Nichols was re-elected to his House seat without any opposition. During his time in the legislature, he wrote a successful bill. This bill allowed police officers to give warnings to people with certain warrants. Before, they had to make an arrest.
Becoming Mayor of Tulsa
2024 Campaign
On July 13, 2023, Nichols announced he would not run for the House again. Instead, he would run for Mayor in the 2024 Tulsa mayoral election. He faced several other candidates. The Tulsa World and The Black Wall Street Times supported him. Former Governors of Oklahoma Brad Henry and David Walters also endorsed him. Former Mayor Kathy Taylor supported him too.
Nichols and Karen Keith were the top two candidates. They moved on to a runoff election. This meant the next mayor would be a Democrat, changing from a Republican. Nichols won the runoff with over 56% of the votes. He became the first Black mayor of Tulsa.
Starting as Mayor
Nichols officially took office on December 2, 2024. In November, he announced some of his new team members. Tulsa Police Department Major Laurel Roberts became Tulsa's first public safety commissioner. Emily Hall became a senior adviser for homelessness. Gene Bulmash became a senior adviser for housing. Shane Stone became the director of government affairs. His campaign manager, Dana Walton, became his deputy chief of staff.
Images for kids
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Nichols in 2016
