Cranford wins Ward 3 runoff; Dause defeats Fort Gibson school board incumbent

Apr. 3—Melody Cranford said door-to-door campaigning helped her win the runoff for the unexpired term for Muskogee City Council, Ward III.

"I knocked every person's door myself, with people riding behind me in the car," Cranford said. "I wanted people to know I was there for them, it wasn't other people. It was me asking them for their vote, here's what they wanted done and agreeing with them to get those things done. It was very important to knock the doors down myself."

Cranford, a Cherokee Elementary teacher, defeated consultant Coby McQuay. According to unofficial results, Cranford received 193 votes, or 56.1% of votes cast. McQuay received 151 votes, or 43.9%.

Cranford said she had hard-working supporters who worked with her and prayed for her.

She said the first thing she plans to do when she takes her council seat April 22 is to work with the council on infrastructure.

Cranford recalled originally being spurred to run by her students in 2022.

"Two years ago, when we did this, it was just because my kids didn't have lights, they didn't have the things they wanted at the park," she said.

In 2022, she lost to incumbent Ivory Vann, who resigned from the council later that year. Perline Boyattia-Craig was appointed to fill his seat until the next election.

Cranford said that this time, parents believed she would do what she said she was going to do.

"We had a lot of support behind this campaign," Cranford said. "I think the community was behind it and they knew this was a campaign about them."

Dause wins FG Schools Seat 4

Software engineer Patrick Dause defeated incumbent Larry Sand for Seat 4 on the Fort Gibson Board of Education.

According to unofficial results, Dause received 204 votes, or 56.35%; incumbent Larry Sand received 158 votes, or 43.65%.

Dause said he believed Fort Gibson voters "just wanted to see change."

"They wanted some fresh faces in there, I think," he said. "We got out and worked hard and just did the best we could."

Dause said his first plans are to see what the Fort Gibson school board's priorities are, "and to help them work toward that."

ICTC Seat 4 remains with Madewell

Incumbent Monte Madewell returns for another term on Seat 4 of the Indian Capital Technology Center Board of Education.

Madewell, superintendent of Checotah Public Schools, defeated former ICTC Stilwell campus director David West. According to unofficial results, Madewell received 3,076 votes, or 53.32%; West received 2,693 votes, or 46.68%.

Madewell said his supporters wanted to "keep the integrity of a good system intact."

"We've got the number one career tech center in America, and I believe people wanted to keep it that way," Madewell said.

He said his plans now are to rest a few days.

"I worked hard and the people around me worked hard, and everybody needs a little break right now," he said.

Farmer tops Killingsworth

Checotah Public Schools District 19 Office 4 incumbent Jackie Farmer defeated challenger Denver Killingsworth.

According to unofficial results, Farmer received 324 votes, or 79.22%; Killingsworth received 85 votes, or 20.78%.

Farmer, vice president of People's National Bank, served one five-year term on the Checotah Board of Education.

Bumgarner captures Eufaula Seat 2

Kenny Bumgarner held off a late charge by Jessica Whisenhunt to win the Eufaula District 1 Seat 2 unexpired term.

Bumgarner unofficially tallied 290 votes or 56.75% compared to Whisenhunt's 221 votes or 43.25%.

"I previously served as District 5 School Board Member for Eufaula Public Schools from 2017 until I moved out of district in 2021," Bumgarner said before the election. "During my time as a school board member I gained overall knowledge of the inner workings of the school system. I am able to collaborate as a team member with other board members, staff, community, and the superintendent in order to work together to accomplish the board's and school's goals."

Pippenger wins Eufaula District 1 Seat 4

In Eufaula, incumbent Jeff Pippenger defeated challenger Meagan Beaver for Eufaula Board of Education, Seat 4. According to unofficial results, Pippenger received 337 votes, 66.47%; Beaver received 170 votes, or 33.53%.

Pippenger, a pharmacist, has served the school board for 15 years.

"I have enjoyed being part of the growth and quality of our school system," Pippenger said before the election. "There are a few projects that I would like to see completed which would set Eufaula Public Schools on good footing for years to come."

Staff writer Ronn Rowland contributed to this report.