At a watch party at Grill on the Hill, 324 SW 25th St., more than 100
supporters, including four city council members and Gov. Mary Fallin,
turned out to await election results.
Just before 9 p.m. Shadid, who got 34.4 percent of the vote, conceded the race.
Throughout the evening, state Sen. David Holt, Cornett's campaign
manager and former mayoral chief of staff, gave updates to the anxious
crowd.
Attendees checked cell phones regularly for updates from the Oklahoma State Election Board.
When Cornett was declared the winner, he thanked supporters and his family.
"It just felt like there was so much riding on this campaign," he said.
Cornett has not faced a serious challenger since his first run for
office a decade ago. He said he was nervous all day, a feeling that did
not subside until he was declared the winner.
He praised his predecessors, and said he wants the see the city continue to move forward.
"This validates the people who have come before us, and the people who will come after us," he said.
