Senator Adelson Announces Run For Tulsa Mayor

By Emory Bryan, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Another candidate entered the race for Tulsa mayor on Wednesday, possibly creating a sequel to a political race from 2004.  Democratic Oklahoma Senator Tom Adelson announced he's running.  Five years ago, he ran against Republican Dewey Bartlett and won.  Now both of them are running for mayor.

"My name is Tom Adelson and I'm running for mayor," said Mayoral Candidate Tom Adelson.

6/30/2009  Related Story: Adelson Expected To Announce Run For Mayor

The entry of a prominent Democrat in the race means both parties will have notable candidates on the ballot.  Senator Tom Adelson says he's running to strengthen Tulsa's neighborhoods.

"And long term, we have to make the city itself attractive for people to live and work and for children to play.  It's about livable, workable, connected neighborhoods.  It's the kind of city planning we're just now doing and it's long overdue," said Democrat Tom Adelson.

Last Thursday, Republican Dewey Bartlett, an oil producer, said he wants to run the city like a business.

"Tulsa has such a great history of community involvement, especially in the business community and I think that's where real people of capability come from, the business community, they understand how to be visionary, how to bring things together and that's what I'm going to bring to this election, is that capability," said Republican Dewey Bartlett.

Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor announced she wasn't running early so other candidates could consider the office.

"A viable candidate that was interested in running whoever that might be, hopefully someone with a business background and a Tulsa agenda could get out there and run before the July filing period," said Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor.

Republican Clay Clark, a business owner, is running, too.  So, he and Bartlett will face each other in a primary.

Bartlett and Adelson are better known and have more political experience and both say they'll focus on bringing people back to Tulsa.

"Let's make Tulsa the type of city that it's meant to be," said Democrat Tom Adelson.

"We need to have people coming into Tulsa, living in Tulsa, putting down roots in Tulsa, the way they used to," said Republican Dewey Bartlett.