Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler successfully fended off Republican challenger Colleen McCarty Tuesday night to win a fourth term in office.
“If your idea was to come here and drink your sorrows away because you lost, you’re at the wrong watch party,” Kunzweiler said to his supporters after the results became clear. “If you came here to celebrate a victory for the Tulsa County DA’s office, then you’re at the right place.”
He secured nearly 60% of the vote. There was no Democrat challenger in the race so the primary winner will take on the role. Kunzweiler said McCarty called him shortly after his victory speech to concede.
During an early June forum, the two candidates said the race boiled down to a simple choice: a new voice or an experienced one.
Kunzweiler has held the position of district attorney since 2015. He leaned heavily on his 37 years of experience as a criminal prosecutor.
“I think in a public safety issue, parents, people that have loved ones at home, they’re going to look at the bottom line, which is, am I going to feel safe with this person or that person at the helm?” he said Tuesday night. “And that was the argument that we felt was the strongest one to make.”
He said even with a victory, he appreciates some issues McCarty raised.
“I admire her for her efforts in helping out victims of domestic violence,” he said. “I mean, that’s just an aspect that all of us need to work on … I’d love to see if somebody like Colleen or some of these other agencies can think outside the box and say, ‘how do we prevent them from being victimized (multiple) times before they get the courage to come in.’”
Kunzweiler said this victory was a shared moment for his staff, prosecutors and Tulsa County voters.
“It’s been my honor and privilege to serve this community and I have often said that you’re gonna get 100% of my work every time,” he said. “So, I’ve got another four years to put the pedal to the metal and we will do that.”
Voters decide on county positions, Bixby propositions
In other local races Tuesday, incumbent John Fothergill won about 60% of the vote to defeat Brandon Shreffler to become the county’s treasurer. This race also had no Democrat challenger, so Fothergill will remain in office.
And Republican incumbent Stan Sallee knocked off Idris Shelby with nearly 67% of the vote in the race for District 1 county commissioner.
Bixby residents voted in favor of increasing the qualifications for its city manager job and consolidating financial management under its treasurer. Its city manager is on leave following a DUI arrest in May.
Parts of east Tulsa and the Tulsa County portions of Skiatook, Collinsville, Owasso and Sperry will have an Aug. 25 runoff election between Loretta Radford and Dustin Allen to serve in the Judge Office 4 office. Daman Cantrell, who has served since 2006, did not seek re-election.
You can find other results from the June elections here.
