LAWTON – Four candidates will compete for the right to replace Ward 4 Councilman Jay Burk on the Lawton City Council.
Burk is not seeking re-election this year due to term limits, meaning his seat on the council will be vacant. Four people filed declarations of candidacy for the seat during this week’s filing period, which began Monday and ended Wednesday.
Barbara Curry, George Gill, Derek Lemos Sr. and Eric Sharum will square off in the Aug. 23 primary election. Candidates will need to capture a simple majority of the vote – 50% plus one – to avoid a runoff election.
If the Ward 4 race does not produce a winner in the primary election, the two candidates who capture the most votes will face off in the Nov. 8 general election. The winner of that race will claim the Ward 4 seat in January.
Ward 4 is not the only competitive race this year. Ward 3 Councilwoman Linda Chapman, who is seeking her second term, will face challenger Cartessa Smith in the primary election.
Ward 5 Councilman Allan Hampton, who filed for reelection this year, did not draw an opponent. That means Hampton will retain his seat on the council.
The winners of the competitive races will join Hampton on the council in January 2023. All three will serve three-year terms.