3 seek Ward 2 Council position

The filing period for City Council and Board of Education seats in Pawhuska came to an end last week, with just one contested race.

Four candidates filed paperwork to run for the Ward 2 seat on the Pawhuska City Council. One of the four withdrew her candidacy, leaving three candidates for the seat.

Susan Lynn Bayro is the candidate who withdrew. The remaining candidates are incumbent Steven Holcombe, Jourdan Foran and Laban Miles. They will compete for a three-year council term. The primary election is scheduled for Feb. 12, and if a general election is necessary that will be April 2.

In Ward 1, only one candidate filed. Mayor Roger Taylor submitted his paperwork to seek re-election, but no one stepped forward to contest the seat.

In addition to the two City Council positions that were available, candidates were solicited for the No. 4 seat on the Pawhuska Board of Education. Justin Sellers, the current board president, is the incumbent but he chose not to seek re-election.

The only filer for the No. 4 seat was Pawhuska businesswoman and Osage Nation tribal employee Addie Roanhorse. The term of office is five years.

David Cash, superintendent of Pawhuska Public Schools, told members of the Board of Education Monday that there will be no need for an election, since only one candidate submitted paperwork.

Sellers, 46, a 1990 graduate of Pawhuska High School, told the Journal-Capital on Monday evening that he is ready to move on to other things after a decade on the Board of Education. He said his girls have graduated, and he has a son who will be a senior next year.

“It’s time for somebody else to step up,” Sellers said. “I love Pawhuska. I love Pawhuska schools.”

Sellers said he had met Roanhorse, but had not discussed school matters with her. He voiced confidence she will do a good job as a school trustee.

“I think she’ll do an exceptional job,” Sellers said.

Elsewhere in Osage County, Jessica Graham is unopposed for the No. 4 seat on the Hominy Board of Education, and Carl W. Kelley is unopposed for the No. 4 seat on the Barnsdall Board of Education.