James Cooper, an Oklahoma City writer and university professor, announced that he is running for Oklahoma City’s Ward 2 City Council seat. Ed Shadid currently holds the seat.
“I love this city. It’s my home. And, I’m so proud of how —working together—the citizens and leaders have reinvented OKC and made it a great place to live and work,” Cooper said. “I’m running because I believe we have an even brighter future ahead of us.”
Cooper, who lives in the historic Paseo neighborhood, said it is time for “new leadership” for council Ward 2
“I believe Ward 2 has become disconnected from this city’s progress during Mr. Shadid’s time in office. He has created divisiveness and unnecessary conflict. I have a different approach.”
Cooper said he views the city council as an opportunity to foster partnership between citizens and government and that his priority will be to listen to constituents.
“I believe deeply in the value of public service,” Cooper said. “It is a very important job. And, I think the public servant’s first role is to listen to the concerns of citizens and then to bring people together to work toward a common goal.
“Over the coming weeks, my campaign will be listening to the concerns of the people who live, work, and play in OKC Ward 2. Then, our campaign is going to present real, common sense solutions to the challenges that confront our neighborhoods, our communities, and our city.”
Cooper said that, as a council member, his primary focus will be to achieve meaningful results for Oklahoma City residents. He said that the next Ward 2 Council member will play a critical role in helping shape the future of Oklahoma City.
“During the next four-year city council term, citizens will go to the polls to determine the next MAPS vote as well as the city’s next general obligation bond,” Cooper said. “I will work directly with the citizens to ensure that Ward 2 is well represented in both and that our city continues to progress and improve.”
Cooper is an Oklahoma native who works as an adjunct professor of English at the University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University, where he also teaches Film Studies.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from OU in Film Studies with a minor in Political Science, and he received his master’s degree in English at OSU.
He currently serves as President of the Oklahoma Film Critics Circle.
Wonder how much “DARK MONEY” will be spent?