Oklahoma County Power Shift: Democrats seize control of Board
Jennifer Mayo's 67-vote margin over Jessica Clayton gives Democrats a majority for the first time in decades.
By Robert Ward ·
Democrats now control the Oklahoma County Board of Commissioners following Tuesday's election results.
Jennifer Mayo, a Democrat, won the District 3 seat with a 67-vote lead over Republican Jessica Clayton, according to the State Election Board. This narrow margin represents the smallest gap in a countywide race this year. The result flips a district that has held firm in Republican hands for years. District 3 covers Edmond, Luther, Arcadia, and the far northern sections of Oklahoma City. Interim Commissioner Paul Foster had been serving in the role since Republican Miles Davidson resigned amid a sexual misconduct scandal.
The victory gives Democrats a two-to-one majority on the board. They join Jason Lowe of District 1, a Democrat, and face Brian Maughan of District 2, the sole remaining Republican and board chairman. Maughan previously served as chief deputy to Clayton before assuming the role of County Manager. Clayton, a longtime county staff member, conceded the race via social media late Tuesday night. She praised Mayo's win, a move that makes a formal recount unlikely despite the tight tally.
Mayo's campaign focused on transparency and the funding of the new Oklahoma County Detention Center. She opposed a sales tax measure that would have funded the project. Voters rejected that proposition by a decisive margin, with more than 62 percent voting against it. Mayo promised to support an independent audit of jail finances and to publish regular updates on costs and performance. Her platform emphasized cross-sector collaboration and accountability in county development plans.
Mayo has worked in the nonprofit sector for many years. She currently works for Hunger Free Oklahoma and previously held positions at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and United Way of Central Oklahoma. In a post-election statement, she described the night as a new chapter in county leadership. She expressed honor at being part of the next phase of governance.
The broader county sweep included wins for other Democratic challengers. Jessica Thompson defeated Republican Christie Miller for County Treasurer. John Gibbons unseated incumbent Republican Larry Stein for County Assessor, ending Stein's tenure that began in 2019. These results complete a full Democratic takeover of the major county offices.
