OKLAHOMA CITY (Free Press) — In February and then April, some Oklahoma County voters will decide who will fill the open District 1 seat on the Board of County Commissioners.
Three Democrats and one Independent have entered the race to fill the District 1 seat since Carrie Blumert stepped down in September to become the new CEO of the Mental Health Association of Oklahoma.
Voters will go to the polls for the primary election among the three Democrats on Tuesday, February 11, and the winner of that primary will face the Independent in the general election on April 1.
Click + or – at the bottom of the map to zoom in or out of this map of Oklahoma County Districts outlined and labeled in red:
CountyMapDistrict 1 represents much of central core of Oklahoma County stretching from Bethany all the way to the eastern boundary of the county and from N. 122nd Street down to S. 44th Street. It includes the cities of Jones, Spencer, Midwest City, Del City, Nicoma Park, Forest Park, Lake Aluma, central parts of Oklahoma City, and The Village.
Each Oklahoma County Commissioner position is a full-time job with full-time pay and full-time responsibilities.
Individually, commissioners are the day-to-day executives of their district. They manage the maintenance staff of county-owned roads and facilities, and the budgets that support them, plus attend to other administrative responsibilities that keep the county government working.
The three-member Board of County Commissioners serves as the county’s administrative body, overseeing all fiscal matters. It also makes decisions on all county-owned real estate, including the Oklahoma County Jail, a major issue each candidate plans to prioritize if elected.
The issues plaguing the Oklahoma County Jail have persisted since its inception in 1991 especially in regards to inmate deaths. Last year, the jail recorded 7 deaths with two more occurring this month alone.
The latest 72-page inspection report by the Oklahoma State Department of Health reveals a myriad of issues ranging from pest infestations to missed safety checks. The facility has failed every inspection since 2019, the same year the Jail Trust took control of operations. Inspectors found unsanitary conditions, mice infestations, and hundreds of missed sight checks.
Jason Lowe
House Representative for District 97, Jason Lowe, was among the first to announce his candidacy to succeed Blumert. Rep. Lowe has represented the northeast House District 97, which sits within District 1, since 2016.
Lowe, a criminal defense attorney and founding member of The Lowe Law firm, is the former chair of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus and the first Black attorney from HD 97 to serve on the House Judiciary Committee.
He highlights his legislative efforts as a testament to his commitment to justice, including advocating for responsible policing, prioritizing rehabilitation over incarceration for non-violent offenders, and pushing for increased educational funding for public schools and HBCUs like Langston University.
According to his campaign website, Lowe’s top priority will be to ensure the new Oklahoma County Jail and mental health facility will “best serve Oklahoma County’s least served.”
His other priorities include infrastructure, mental health, and economic growth.
Lowe did not respond to interview request in time for publication
Anastasia A. Pittman
Former state senator, legislator, and educator, Anastasia A. Pittman, also joined the race shortly after the seat became open in September. Pittman served as the House District 99 representative from 2006 to 2014. She served in the Oklahoma State Senate, representing Senate District 48 from 2014 to 2018, until reaching her term limit.
During her tenure, Pittman served as the House Chair of Health and Human Services and was a member of several committees, including Finance, Aerospace and Technology, Veterans, Transportation, Appropriations and Budget, and Higher Education.
If elected, Pittman’s priorities as Oklahoma County Commissioner include jail reform, criminal justice accountability, infrastructure, economic growth, mental health, and public safety.
Pittman’s plan to address the issues plaguing the Oklahoma County Jail includes:
- Advocating for independent audits and complete transparency on operations, funding, and management.
- Ensuring that the new jail is built to meet modern safety and health standards, while also prioritizing investments in alternative sentencing and diversion programs.
- Expanding mental health crisis response teams to prevent unnecessary incarcerations.
“I have a proven track record of delivering real results, whether it is securing funding, crafting policy, or fighting for underserved communities. As County Commissioner, I will ensure that our jail is reformed, our infrastructure is strengthened, and our most valuable residents are prioritized,” Pittman said in an email to the Free Press. “The race is not just about who holds office. It is about who will stand up, take action, and deliver results for Oklahoma County and I’m ready to do that as your full-time county commissioner.”
Sara Bana
Midwest City Councilwoman Sara Bana will also be a name voters will see on the ballot in the upcoming special election.
Bana, a longtime Midwest City resident and community leader, was first elected to represent Ward 5 on the Midwest City Council in 2022.
She is the executive director of Civic Services Community Advocacy, a community-based advocacy agency she founded to support marginalized communities.
Since 2016, Bana has served as vice chair of the Police Accountability and Community Trust initiative, which advocates for police accountability and community engagement. She is a member of the People’s Council for Justice Reform and has been a vocal critic of the Oklahoma County Jail.
According to her campaign website, some of Bana’s priorities include:
- Eliminating government corruption
- Addressing the “unconstitutional crisis” at the Oklahoma County Jail
- Implementing evidence-based criminal justice reform
- Expanding mental health care
- Revitalizing County infrastructure
- Advocating for policies that promote affordable housing in Oklahoma County.
Bana did not respond to interview questions in time for publication.
Jed Green
Jed Green, the only Independent candidate in the race, is the Director of Oklahoma for Responsible Cannabis Action (ORCA)
Green ran unsuccessfully for the House District 88 seat against Mauree Turner in the November 2022 general election.
Green does not appear to have an active campaign website or social media platform.
Since the District 1 county race is a special election, the Democrat with the majority vote in the Feb. 11 primary will advance to the April 1 general election against Green.
Voting information
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11. To locate your polling place and view a sample ballot for your precinct, visit the OK Voter Portal.
Embark bus and OKC streetcar services will be free on all routes on Election Day.
Brianna Garcia is a freelance journalist covering local politics and culture for Free Press. She has a degree in Journalism from the University of Central Oklahoma.
