Monroe Nichols has defeated Karen Keith in the race to become the mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma's second-largest city.

Mayor GT BynumI want to congratulate my friend Monroe Nichols on being elected Tulsa's 41st mayor. This is the greatest honor Tulsans have in our power to best

In what was billed as the last mayoral debate before Tuesday’s election, KRMG radio host Dan Potter asked Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith and state Rep. Monroe Nichols — both Democrats — a question that is surely on the minds of many of the station’s listeners.

In a district demolished a century ago in the Tulsa Race Massacre and rebuilt from the rubble, state Rep. Monroe Nichols declared victory as the first Black Tulsan elected as the city’s mayor.

According to unofficial results, Nichols received more than 55% of the vote over challenger Karen Keith to earn the city’s top office. He will assume his new role Dec. 2.

Tulsans also voted in the first majority female city council, with convincing victories in District 7 by incumbent Lori Decter Wright and in District 9 by challenger Carol Bush. The new mayor and council will be sworn into office December 2nd.