OKC Mayor David Holt begins national leadership role

June 22 was a landmark day for Oklahoma City. That evening, the Thunder won Game 7 of the NBA Finals, bringing home the city’s first major league championship. Earlier, Mayor David Holt was sworn in as the 83rd president of the United States Conference of Mayors at its annual meeting in Tampa, Florida—placing him at the forefront of national urban leadership. 

As president, Holt will lead more than 1,400 mayors from across the country for a one-year term. He will speak on their behalf at national and international events, oversee the organization’s work and help shape its policy positions. 

The United States Conference of Mayors was founded in 1932. It represents cities with populations of 30,000 or more and is the official nonpartisan voice for urban leaders. Each city is represented by its mayor. 

“There is no more important place in human existence than the city, and there is no higher office than the mayor,” Holt said during his installation speech. “The Conference of Mayors sits at the epicenter of America’s future. If that future is to be as bright or brighter than the past, it will be because of the work that happens right here.” 

Tom Cochran, CEO and executive director of the Conference, said Holt’s leadership comes at a pivotal time for cities. 

“He champions the value of local leadership, and he embraces the power this Conference has to unite so many voices to improve the lives of the people of America’s cities,” Cochran said. “I know his colleagues are grateful to have him steering the ship.” 

Holt, a member of the Osage Nation, is believed to be the first Native American to serve as president of the Conference. He is the second mayor from OKC to hold the position, following Mick Cornett, who served in 2016-17. 

OKC is now one of only 18 cities to have had two presidents of the organization. The city’s recent growth, including its rise from the 37th-largest city in the 1970 Census to the 20th-largest today with more than 712,000 residents, reflects its increasing influence. 

As president, Holt will host leadership meetings, including a gathering in OKC in September. He will also preside over the Conference’s winter meeting in Washington, D.C., and the 2025 annual meeting in Long Beach, California. 

“America’s mayors are the greatest leaders this nation has, and I am deeply honored to have this role representing mayors and cities on the national and international stage,” Holt said. “I am deeply grateful to my fellow mayors for the trust they have placed in me. This is also a wonderful platform for Oklahoma City, and I’m grateful to have this opportunity to represent our city.” 

Holt succeeds Mayor Andrew Ginther of Columbus, Ohio. He will serve alongside Vice President Todd Gloria of San Diego and Second Vice President Leirion Gaylor Baird of Lincoln, Nebraska. 

Holt previously served as vice president, second vice president, trustee and advisory board member for the Conference. In 2021, he worked with then-President Nannette Whaley, mayor of Dayton, Ohio, as the co-chair of mayoral efforts to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

Holt was first elected OKC mayor in 2018 and re-elected in 2022 with one of the largest margins in city history. He is also dean of the Oklahoma City University School of Law. 

He holds a bachelor's degree from The George Washington University and a law degree from OCU School of Law. He is married to Rachel Holt, president and CEO of United Way of Central Oklahoma, and they have two children, George and Margaret.