Bob Waldrop, a 21-year resident of Oklahoma City, is considering a run at city council and is using a personal blog to promote his interest in running for local politics.
“While many have prospered, others have been left behind,” Waldrop wrote on his website about his interest in running for the Ward 6 seat. “The plunge in oil prices may have serious negative economic impacts on the community. Our streets are not as safe as they should and can be. This City continues to have a problem misallocation of resources.”
The website post and an accompanying Facebook page were launched Dec. 31. Waldrop confirmed the site's authenticity via email on Thursday.
Waldrop has advocated for social rights and environmental sustainability through his work to establish the Oscar Romero Catholic Worker House and other organizations that work to provide food to those in need. He has also authored a book on a permaculture lifestyle.
Waldrop also helped organize a petition campaign last year to fight against the state’s new “solar tax,” which gives utility companies the opportunity to charge higher fees to solar panel users.
A run at council would pit Waldrop against incumbent Meg Salyer who joined the council in 2008 and has announced her plan to seek reelection in the March race. Salyer is well connected in the city’s business and downtown community and Waldrop admits she would be a tough opponent.
“There is no way that I can out spend my opposition,” Waldrop wrote on his website. “But I am betting that I can out-organize them.”
Ward 6 includes downtown and the midtown neighborhoods south of 23rd Street. It also includes a large portion of south OKC and parts of Capitol Hill.
Filing for Oklahoma City council races in wards 2, 5, 6 and 8 will be open Jan. 28-30 at the Oklahoma County Election Board. The primary election will be held March 3 and the general election, if needed, will be April 7.
