Monroe Nichols

Monroe Nichols IV (born September 24, 1983) is an American politician who has served as the Mayor of Tulsa, Oklahoma, since 2024. He previously served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives representing the 72nd district from 2016 to 2024.

Nichols was born in Waco, Texas. He played football at Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School and the University of Tulsa. After graduation, he worked in Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor's administration. In 2008, he unsuccessfully ran for the 72nd district of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, but in 2016 he won the election to represent the district. He was the first African American to represent the district and was reelected in 2018, 2020, and 2022.

In 2024, Nichols was elected Mayor of Tulsa, the first African American elected to the position. He assumed office on December 2, 2024.

Early life and career Monroe Nichols IV was born September 24, 1983, in Waco, Texas, to Ramona Curtis and Monroe Nichols III. His father and uncle were both police officers. He later graduated high school from Bishop Louis Reicher Catholic School in Waco, Texas, where he played on his high school's football team as a quarterback. After redshirting the 2002 season, he played six games off the bench in 2003. He then sat out the 2004 season due to an injury. As a senior in 2005, Nichols played in 13 games, with 10 receptions for 114 yards.

When interviewed about pursuing an NFL career in 2005, Nichols told the Tulsa World he instead wanted to focus on politics and hoped to one day become Governor of his home state of Texas. He graduated with a degree in political science and economics. In 2006, shortly after graduating from college Nichols was hired by Tulsa mayor Kathy Taylor to work on a crime initiative to prevent gang activity. He worked again for Taylor as her campaign manager for the 2013 Tulsa mayoral election.

Nichols also worked as the chief of staff for former OU-Tulsa president Gerry Clancy, as an economic development manager at the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, and as a director of business retention and expansion programs for the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce. In 2014, he cofounded the nonprofit ImpactTulsa. Nichols also worked as the Director of Policy and Partnerships for StriveTogether, a nonprofit. He received 9% of the vote while Seneca Scott and Christie Breedlove advanced to a runoff.

2016 election Nichols was listed as one of over 30 individuals who filed for office with ties to education in 2016. During the 2016 election, no Libertarian or independent candidate filed to run in district 72. Maria Barnes, a former Tulsa city councilor, and Nichols were the only two candidates. The Tulsa World endorsed Nichols in the 2016 Democratic primary election calling him a voice "for the future." Nichols was also endorsed by Kathy Taylor. He narrowly defeated Maria Barnes in the primary election. On November 17, 2016, Monroe Nichols became the first African-American elected to represent Oklahoma House District 72.

In 2018, A.C. Forst challenged Nichols in the Democratic primary. Forst campaigned on being more politically moderate than Nichols. Nichols was endorsed by the Tulsa World and Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce. Nichols won the Democratic primary and faced no general election opponent.

In January 2020, Nichols was one of over 200 signatories asking Tulsa mayor G.T. Bynum to not bring Live PD to Tulsa. Later that month he was one of a group of lawmakers who criticized Governor Kevin Stitt for appointing members to the University of Oklahoma board of regents who live outside of the state. All three members of the board appointed by Stitt had recently missed an eight hour board meeting. In June, he called for the creation of a state level independent monitor to investigate police shootings and an Oklahoma law enforcement database to alert departments if an applicant had previously resigned from employment during an internal investigation and prior to being fired for cause.

In 2020, Maria Barnes challenged Nichols in the Democratic primary for a second time. The Tulsa World endorsed Nichols again for the 2020 election. Nichols defeated Barnes with 69% of the vote in the Democratic primary. Republican Ismail A. Shan had been removed from the ballot after a challenge to his candidacy for living outside the district. Therefore, Nichols was re-elected without a general election.

During the 2020 election cycle Nichols also worked as a senior advisor for the Michael Bloomberg presidential campaign in Oklahoma. He also endorsed Greg Robinson in the 2020 Tulsa mayoral election.

While Nichols reportedly considered running in the 2022 Oklahoma gubernatorial election, he declined after both Connie Johnson and Joy Hofmeister announced their campaigns. Nichols was re-elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives without opposition in 2022. During the 59th Oklahoma Legislature, Nichols authored legislation which allowed police officers to issue warnings to people with outstanding warrants, instead of requiring an arrest. He was endorsed by the Tulsa World and The Black Wall Street Times. He also got endorsements from former Governors of Oklahoma Brad Henry and David Walters, as well as former mayor Kathy Taylor.

Nichols advanced to a runoff election alongside Keith, guaranteeing the office would flip from Republican to Democrat. He won the runoff with over 55% of the vote and became the first Black mayor of Tulsa.

Tenure Nichols took office December 2, 2024. Weeks before, he announced several staff and named Laurel Roberts as the Tulsa Police Department's first public safety commissioner.

In June 2025, Nichols signed a settlement agreement alongside Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill to settle a lawsuit filed by the nation over the city's prosecution of tribal citizens. The agreement was praised by Chuck Hoskin Jr., Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, but was criticized by Governor Kevin Stitt.

Electoral history

Nichols was re-elected without opposition in 2022.

Publications Four things I learned in the 2017 Legislature, column in the Tulsa World. 25 June 2017. Oklahoma Democrats offer state budget alternative that is truly business friendly, column in the Tulsa World. May 9, 2019. Gun safety reform is a call for citizen action, column in the Tulsa World. June 9, 2022.