Ronald Stewart Wins House Seat: A New Era for Black Politicians   

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GREENWOOD DISTRICT, Okla. – Ronald Stewart Jr. has achieved a significant victory, securing the seat for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 73. In a tight race against Darrell Knox, Stewart edged out Knox by earning 52.83% of the votes to Knox’s 47.17%. 

This win resulted from his dedicated campaign, emphasizing the importance of voter rights, public education, and community leadership. Stewart’s victory reflects the collective aspirations of the residents of North Tulsa, who seek improved representation and quality of life.

The Journey to Victory for Ronald Stewart

Stewart’s political interest began in 2016 and increased with his firsthand campaign experience when his good friend Greg Robinson ran for Mayor of Tulsa in 2020—this period of political awakening inspired Stewart to step into the political arena himself.

While working on campaigns in 2020 and 2022, he learned that State Senator Kevin Matthews’s term expires in 2024, making the seat vacant. This opened up the opportunity for Representative Regina Goodwin—the current Senator-elect—to run for Senator Matthews’ seat. Subsequently, he saw a chance to make a broader impact on their community by running for the open House District 73 seat.

Voter Rights and Education Reform

Stewart’s passion for voter rights, education reform, and public safety drove his campaign. He underscored the critical need to protect voter rights and ensure access to voting.

“Some of the things that are paramount to our community is to make sure that we are protecting the voter rights, and protections for our voters, making sure that we have the correct number of precincts available and that we have the correct number of polling places, and that we have the ability to have everyone in our community to be able to vote in a manner that is without barriers,” he told The Black Wall Street Times. 

Education was another cornerstone of Stewart’s platform. He pointed out the challenges faced by teachers in Oklahoma, including the adverse effects of House Bill 1775 and Governor Stitt’s executive order on public education. He addressed those issues by advocating for better funding and support for public schools, ensuring that the best talent could teach in the classrooms and working towards closing the disparity gap in life expectancy.

A Campaign Built on Support and Outreach

The campaign for the House District 73 seat was marked by extensive community outreach and strong family support. Stewart’s team worked tirelessly to engage with residents and community partners, listen to their concerns, and incorporate their feedback into the campaign’s platform.

Additionally, he had an extensive background in community involvement before his political career.

“I’ve always looked for opportunities to give back to the community and volunteer for the community. And to do things to uplift, and if that means jumping in with someone who already has something established in supporting them, then that’s what I’m going to do, so whether it be with my time or my talents or my money, I want to support those people that are doing the things that are benefiting the community,” he said. 

As Ronald Stewart prepares to take office, he remains focused on the priorities that defined his campaign: voter rights, education reform, and public safety. His victory is more than a personal achievement but also a testament to the power of community-driven political engagement.

Stewart’s win represents a new chapter for North Tulsa residents of District 73; it aims to continue efforts to take a more inclusive and representative approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the community.

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Stewart expresses gratitude to North Tulsans

“I want it to be known that this is a partnership with the community, that I cannot do anything on my own, and that everybody that lives in North Tulsa are experts on subject matters that I may not be an expert on, and if we’re going to do this, we’re going to do this together,” Stewart told The Black Wall Street Times.

He continued, “Winning this election means the world to me. Knowing that the community showed up and cast their ballot in my favor just makes my soul happy. It excites my spirit because I love this community so much,” Stewart told The Black Wall Street Times.

Ronald Stewart is a lifelong North Tulsan, a Booker T. Washington High School graduate, and a Langston University graduate. He has been a firefighter for nearly 20 years with the Tulsa Fire Department. He also spent many years volunteering in the community as a mentor, coach, and tutor. His journey from firefighter to state legislator shows how community involvement and passion for public service create meaningful change.