Editor's note: This story was updated at 8:24 p.m. on Feb. 11 to add a statement from Austin Ball and David Gandesbery.
David Gandesbery defeated Austin Ball in the race for the Ward 1 City Council seat on Tuesday.
According to unofficial results from the Oklahoma State Election Board, as of 7:42 p.m. with 1,235 total votes cast, David Gandesbery received 64.78%, or 800, of votes. Austin Ball received 23.81%, or 294.
In a text to OU Daily, Gandesbery thanked his wife Catherine, campaign manager Russell Rice — who unsuccessfully ran for the Ward 2 seat in 2024 — and his team. Gandesbery said despite his difficult nature, Rice was the motivator he needed.
“This has been one of the most emotional roller coaster moments of my life. I have heard the people of Ward 1 and am overcome with thankfulness of them trusting us with this position,” Gandesbery wrote. “I want to give a big congrats to all the other council winners. I look forward to a smooth transition and hit the ground running to move Norman Forward.”
Gandesbery told OU Daily Tuesday night that his win was reflective of Ward 1 residents using their votes to advocate for what they believe in.
"The win represents that we want a voice at the table. We don't want to be just on the far east side of Norman and forgotten about. We want affordable housing. We want homeless to be taken care of. We don't want the arena," Gandesbery said. "It also shows that we can all come together for one purpose, one goal."
While working as a security coordinator for 17 years at Norman Regional Health System, Gandesbery said he has dealt with mental health and homeless crises firsthand, and while doing so he’s made friends.
He believes those friends lack a voice, and he ran to advocate for them and those in his ward. Gandesbery previously told OU Daily that when he votes it will be “by the voice of the majority of the ward.”
Gandesbery supports the city having a shelter and hopes to increase the city’s efforts to provide solutions. Gandesbery said he wants to reevaluate the city’s relationship with existing nonprofits by forming a committee to see what role the city can play.
Being a voice of his people is a lingering theme for Gandesbery as he hopes to advocate against the turnpike for as long as possible.
“Show that as a community we’re not giving up on this issue,” Gandesbery said.
Gandesbery’s stance on the entertainment district is to reflect the will of his ward. Gandesbery wants a public vote on the entertainment district and would support the development of the district if that is what the people choose.
The entertainment district was approved by the city council in September but Oklahomans for Responsible Economic Development, a Norman community group, filed a petition to force a public vote.
The petition is currently the subject of a lawsuit protesting the certification of the petition. The lawsuit’s first hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Feb. 19.
In a text to OU Daily, Ball wrote: “I put my life in Gods hands a long time ago and seeing the outcome of each of these races, I feel there is a lot more work that is going to need be done on the private side once we are home to Norman’s newest permanent taxpayer funded low barrier shelter, more crime and addiction, and are at the whims of the most secular council Norman has ever had. Once the outcome of my court case is concluded, I hope you give it the same coverage as you did before the election.”
Gandesbery will be sworn in in July and will serve a two-year term.
This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure and Ana Barboza. Sophie Hemker copy edited this story.
