Candidates Continue To Spar At Forums
Taylor, Bartlett stand on their records in campaign forum
By ZACK STOYCOFF World Staff Writer
The city’s emerging budget shortfall and a few timely jabs from one candidate marked the Tulsa mayoral race’s latest campaign forum Monday.
Mayor Dewey Bartlett and former Mayor Kathy Taylor discussed their public safety records, claims of job numbers and the coming capital improvements package at the forum hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Tulsa at downtown’s First United Methodist Church.
But recent headlines were fair game, too.
Taylor slammed Bartlett in her opening statement over news that the city faces at least a $3.16 million budget shortfall and his decision to cancel an upcoming campaign forum, arguing that “that’s not what Tulsa needs to see in leadership.”
Bartlett focused his message on his campaign’s central argument that the Mayor’s Office needs “continuity of leadership,” arguing that his record as mayor is strong and easy to verify.