Opinion: Tulsa World’s Historic Endorsement of Nichols Marks a Turning Point for the City

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On Sunday, the Tulsa World, the city’s oldest and most influential newspaper, broke a 119-year precedent by endorsing State Representative Monroe Nichols, a Black candidate, in the Tulsa mayoral race. This moment signifies more than a mere political endorsement; it represents a profound shift in the city’s collective conscience, a move away from the painful legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre when city institutions plotted against the prosperity and peace of Black Tulsans.  

The Tulsa World, which absorbed the Tulsa Tribune in 1941—the very paper whose incendiary yellow journalism sparked the violence that decimated Greenwood, Tulsa’s thriving Black neighborhood and business district—now aligns itself with progress 103 years after the horrific event that unfolded from May 31 to June 1, 1921.

This endorsement signals not only a reckoning with the past but also a step forward in Tulsa’s ongoing journey toward justice, equity and equality.

“We are endorsing Nichols for his thorough outline, measurable goals, varied experience in public service, and forthright communication style,” the paper’s editorial board declared.

The Tulsa World also harkened back to its progressive roots before merging with the Tulsa Tribune, criticizing Nichols’s conservative opponent, Brent Van Norman, 64, and rebuking his anti-LGBTQIA rhetoric in its editorial. “Tulsa’s future depends on a leader who unites, not divides,” the board stated.

Meanwhile, the Tulsa World found Karen Keith, another opponent of Nichols, to be “vague on details and tepid about seeking a second term,” noting that “Tulsa’s issues can’t be solved in one mayoral term.” While Keith is 70, Nichols, at 40, brings both youth and experience, having served in the state legislature since 2016 and worked closely with former Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor.

It’s notable that the Tulsa World chose not to pander to its base by endorsing the perceived front-runner or the conservative candidate in the 2024 mayoral race. This decision is particularly bold, given how deeply conservative Tulsa and its surrounding suburbs tend to be.

The historic endorsement by the Tulsa World is more than a nod to Monroe Nichols. It’s a declaration that Tulsa is ready to confront its past and embrace a future defined by unity and progress. By endorsing a candidate who represents change and inclusivity visibly and in practice, the paper is signaling that the city’s leadership must reflect its diverse and evolving community. The Tulsa World’s endorsement is a step toward a future where the city’s leadership mirrors its people’s aspirations and values. And that’s commendable.