Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett officially seeking re-election; Taylor, Christiansen also vying for job

TULSA - Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett is officially seeking re-election.

Bartlett made the announcement Monday afternoon.

The third-year mayor emphasized the perceived success the city has experienced during his tenure -- and the condition Tulsa was in when former Mayor Kathy Taylor left office.

“Three years ago when I took over as mayor, our city was losing jobs and losing jobs fast," he said. "We faced difficult economic times and City Hall was having a difficult time paying its bills. Since then, we’ve created nearly 15,000 jobs and the pace of job creation continues to escalate."

Bartlett's weathering of the recessionary storm may be the mayor's biggest play this election season, as Taylor has also announced plans to assume the office.

“Tulsa did not give up, and neither did I, nor will I. Now we are reaping the benefit of that attitude, and I’d say we should definitely stay the course,” Bartlett said.

Former City Councilor Bill Christiansen has also put his name in the hat.