Ward 2 Councilmember Matt Peacock clarified he did not file for reelection earlier this month due to family and job obligations, despite serving on Norman City Council for nearly six years.
All current council members in the general election apart from Peacock, including Ward 4 Councilmember Helen Grant, Hinkle and Dixon, are seeking reelection.
In a text message to OU Daily Tuesday, Peacock wrote he is stepping down due to time constraints. Peacock wrote that he hopes to dedicate his Tuesday nights to more time with family.
“Over the past several years, my family obligations have grown in ways that deserve more of my time and presence. I am giving up Tuesday nights at city hall with my colleagues, for Tuesday nights around the campfire with children,” Peacock wrote. “They are the reason that I originally ran for office, with the goal of pouring into and shaping the community that they will grow up in.”
Peacock wrote public service requires a significant amount of engagement, and his responsibilities outside council do not allow him to fully commit to his role.
“My professional responsibilities as an architect and small-business owner have also grown beyond the limited hours available in a day,” Peacock wrote. “Public service requires—and our residents deserve—a level of engagement that I cannot fully commit to while balancing these parallel demands.”
Peacock initially ran and won the Ward 8 council seat in 2020, and successfully ran for Ward 2 council member in 2024 in a run-off election following redistricting. Peacock is currently the council member for Ward 2 and owner of architecture and design firm Peacock Design, LLC.
Peacock’s campaign focused on addressing homelessness, affordable housing, and creating and supporting current mental health and substance abuse programs, as well as harm reduction. He also addressed improving transportation and walkability in Norman.
In September 2024, Peacock was one of five council members to vote in favor of the controversial Rock Creek Entertainment District’s tax increment finance, or TIF, district. Other members who voted in favor included former Ward 1 Councilmember Austin Ball, Ward 6 Councilmember Joshua Hinkle, Ward 8 Councilmember Scott Dixon and former Mayor Larry Heikkila.
Peacock wrote he has been honored to serve on Norman City Council for the past six years and will continue to advocate for the values he campaigned on.
“Stepping back from elected office is not a step away from Norman. I remain dedicated to the work of building a walkable, sustainable, and vibrant city, and I will continue advocating for the values that shaped my time on the council,” Peacock wrote. “I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together, and equally excited to support new leaders who will carry that momentum forward.”
Elections for city council seats will be held Feb. 10.
Ward 2 candidates
Three Ward 2 residents filed for candidacy for the upcoming city council elections.
Jacy Deck is a project and financial manager and community advocate. According to her campaign website, Deck works at OU’s Advanced Radar Research Center.
If elected, Deck plans to advocate for economic investment specific to Ward 2, affordable housing and infrastructure, mental health community partnerships and stormwater infrastructure, the website reads.
“I’m running because I love this community, and I believe we can lead with both head and heart — balancing fiscal discipline with humanity, so every decision we make builds a Norman that lasts,” Deck wrote on her website.
Russell Rice is a co-founder of Norman Care-A-Vans, a nonprofit that provides transportation to people experiencing homelessness. He is also an organizing member of Red Dirt Collective, a nonprofit that provides mutual aid throughout Norman. By trade, Rice is a union electrician.
Rice previously ran for the Ward 2 seat, losing to Peacock in the 2024 run-off election.
Stephanie Adams is an animal welfare and behavior specialist. She currently works as a pet adoption coordinator for the Norman Animal Welfare, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Adams announced her candidacy in a Facebook post Tuesday. She said in the post she is running for the community members and wants to run with compassion and transparency to Norman residents.
“I am so excited to do it,” Adams said in the post. ”It’s a little nerve-wracking as a first time person doing this and going through all the steps and getting to talk to people I've already talked to. I’m really excited. I think Ward 2 is going to have some really great options.”
Abby Young contributed to the reporting of this story.
This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure, Thomas Pablo and Audrey McClour.
