Businessman Brent VanNorman is entering the Tulsa mayoral race

Tulsans will see another name on their ballots in August.

At the Tulsa Country Club Thursday night, businessman Brent VanNorman announced his mayoral bid.

VanNorman is now the second Republican candidate in the race after City Councilman Jayme Fowler withdrew her bid last week. He faces fellow GOP candidate Casey Bradford, as well as Democratic challengers Karen Keith and Monroe Nichols.

VanNorman began his campaign with the support of former Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor.

“He knows how to responsibly prioritize large budgets and serve others with honor,” O’Connor said.

Originally from Michigan, VanNorman said he moved to Tulsa to be closer to his son, who began attending Oral Roberts University in 2008.

VanNorman is president of TriLinc Global, an investment firm based in Manhattan Beach, California. Said he was a CPA, attorney, and former pastor.

As for policy goals, VanNorman said he wants to prioritize attracting businesses to the city, fighting crime, strengthening the police force and fighting homelessness.

He proposed a marketing plan to recruit officers from other cities.

“What I’d like to do is put together a public relations campaign where we go to those cities that defund the police and recruit the best and brightest and bring them to Tulsa,” he said.

Calls for “police defunding” came amid nationwide protests following the 2020 killing of George Floyd, although many US cities have not made budget cuts to their police departments.

VanNorman said he wants to focus on widespread mental health issues to address homelessness, saying “homelessness is not primarily a housing issue.”

In early May, VanNorman filed paperwork to run for District 2 City Council, but said he is convinced to end that bid and run for mayor instead.

VanNorman said he’s confident his late entry into the mayoral race won’t hurt his chances.

“Getting name recognition out there — there’s plenty of time for that,” he said.