Information technology contractor Kyle Steele was elected to the Ward 6 council seat Tuesday night, defeating incumbent Joshua Hinkle.
As of 7:45, with 1,187 votes cast, Steele earned 62.93%, or 747, according to unofficial results on the Oklahoma State Election Board’s website. Hinkle earned 37.07%, or 440, of the votes.
Steele, a Norman resident for over 20 years, has worked in the IT sector for over a decade. Steele has volunteered with groups across Norman dedicated to assisting low-income families, people experiencing homelessness and the 2SLGBTQ+ community, according to his website.
Steele’s campaign focuses on bringing transparency to his constituents, supporting people experiencing homelessness and tax increment financing, or TIF, reforms. Steele laid out a multi-faceted transparency and engagement plan in a YouTube video, which can be found on his website.
In a text message to OU Daily Tuesday night, Steele wrote he is honored to be elected and he will continue to post updates on his social media.
"I feel honored by the support Ward 6 has given me and I am excited for what the future holds. As the months go on I will continue to put out updates on social media and YouTube. Anyone who wants to speak with me about local issues is always welcome to email me at KyleForNorman@gmail.com," Steele wrote.
Some of Steele’s policy positions can be found in OU Daily’s election guide.
Hinkle was elected as the Ward 6 council member in February 2024. During his tenure, Hinkle participated in securing roughly 3 acres for a proposed permanent homeless shelter off Reed Avenue, opposed the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s Access Oklahoma plan, and was one of five council members who voted in favor of the Rock Creek Entertainment District in September 2024.
In a text message to OU Daily, Hinkle thanked Ward 6 residents who participated in the election.
“Serving this community has been an honor, and I’m proud of the work we’ve done over the past term,” Hinkle wrote. “While the outcome isn’t what I hoped for, I respect the voters’ decision and remain committed to Norman and its future.”
Steele will be sworn in on July 7.
This story was edited by Audrey McClour. Larkin Bock and Tori Pham copy edited this story.
