Editors note: this story was updated at 10:52 a.m. on Feb. 14 to reflect the runoff election will be held on April 2.
The Ward 2 race ended with no candidate receiving enough votes to win outright, leading to a runoff election between electrician Russell Rice and Ward 8 Councilmember Matt Peacock on April 2.
Of nearly 1,800 votes, Rice received 32.74% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the Oklahoma State Election Board. Peacock received 27.45%, placing him in second. Their challengers included Jeff Dismukes, who claimed 25.33%, Aleisha Karjala, who received 13.47% and Ray Howerton, who took 1% of the vote.
"I’m pleased with the results at this point in time. I plan to continue listening to the citizens and working in the community just as I have been until I get on council," Rice wrote in a statement to OU Daily.
Due to recent redistricting, Peacock’s residence changed from Ward 8 to Ward 2, leading to his campaign for the Ward 2 council seat.
“I am a firm believer that competition makes us all better, and so I want to thank my opponents for the opportunity to challenge myself and grow from the process. Regardless of the outcome, success lies in the journey, not the finish line,” Peacock wrote in a statement to OU Daily.
