Races develop in Lawton City Council Ward 1, 2 and mayor elections

A three-way race developed in the Lawton mayoral race Tuesday, while the Ward 1 Lawton City Council seat now has two candidates, including the incumbent.

Tuesday was the second day of filing for candidates seeking to become Lawton mayor, or to represent Ward 1 and 2 on the City Council. In addition, candidates are filing their intent to run for the District 1 Comanche County Commissioner seat.

In Lawton, Ron Ballew added his name to the mayoral race, joining Incumbent Stan Booker and Cindy Edgar, who filed Monday.

In the Ward 1 race, Incumbent Mary Ann Hankins filed for the chance to win a third term, with Larry Walls also filing his declaration of candidacy Tuesday.

In the Ward 2 race, David Reeves, Shelli Fox and Jervis Jackson added their names to the candidates who are seeking the open seat. R.L. Smith and Justin L. Harrill filed Monday. Incumbent Kelly Harris has said he will not seek re-election.

No new candidates added their names to the District 1 County Commissioner race, leaving four candidates who filed Monday: Trent Logan, Lawton; Ryan John, City OK; Kevin C. Turpin, Fletcher; and Hank Hasenbeck, Elgin. Logan is filling the seat on a temporary basis, after being appointed to the post by Gov. Kevin Stitt. Sitt made the appointment after former District 1 Commissioner John O’Brien resigned from office earlier this month as part of a plea agreement for entering no contest please to two amended misdemeanor accounts of embezzlement. Logan will fill the role of commissioner until District 1 voters select their candidate.

Today is the final day to file declarations of candidacy for the four seats. Declarations may be filed at the Comanche County Election Board, located in the Comanche County Courthouse at Southwest 5th and Southwest C Avenue.

To serve as Lawton mayor, candidates must be registered voters at an address within Lawton for at least six months prior to filing for election. Council candidates must be registered voters at an address within the ward they seek to represent for at least six months prior to filing. The District 1 commissioner seat is open to registered voters who have maintained a current principal residence within the eastern district for at least six months prior to filing. Commissioner candidates also must be registered voters of the political party they seek to represent at least six months prior to the first day of candidate filing.

There is a $300 filing fee for county commissioner candidates. There is no filing fee for the city seats.