OKC Mayor discusses unity, growth in SmartCitiesWorld interview

Mayor David Holt recently spoke with Luke Antoniou of SmartCitiesWorld about Oklahoma City’s political culture, its investment model and how both have shaped the city’s continued growth. 

The interview was published as a Q&A transcription titled How Unity and Investment Are Driving Oklahoma City’s Growth, aimed at the publication’s international audience. 

Mayor Holt discussed how bipartisan cooperation and voter-backed funding initiatives have helped OKC grow economically while maintaining a politically balanced local government. 

Holt emphasized the importance of not only speaking of goals, but taking action on them, stating, “In today’s political climate in America, it’s not enough to just talk about what you want to do, you also have to talk about how you’re going to do it. In politics, our instinct is often to lead with policies and investments, but I’ve found that the process and the culture behind decision-making matter just as much.” 

Holt discussed how Oklahoma City is very purple—in which neither political side holds a majority over the other—although Oklahoma is broadly viewed as a red state. This dynamic forces both political sides to “work together or risk gridlock,” Holt said. 

Holt also referenced the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, noting that the event remains a reminder of the dangers of political division and extremism. The bombing is a reminder of what can happen in result of political division.  

“The road from divisive rhetoric to extremism is long, but it’s real,” Holt said. “Here, we carry the responsibility of that memory. It gives us a reason—and an obligation—to work a little harder than others might to find common ground.” 

One factor Holt credits for bipartisan engagement is OKC’s nonpartisan mayoral elections. Voters choose from all candidates on a single ballot, without party labels. Holt said that system encourages broader coalitions and discourages political extremes. 

Holt emphasized that he tries to take in all perspectives by listening and acting on what he hears. This helps result in outcomes that reflect this mix of political values. 

“Are those outcomes perfect? No—but they’re good enough, and “good enough” is exactly what democracy is meant to produce.” Holt said. “That’s the beauty of compromise—it may not thrill everyone, but it brings more people along and leads to progress.” 

He pointed to the success of ballot initiatives such as MAPS 4, a $1.1 billion capital improvement program approved in 2019. The plan included 16 projects that ranged from sports infrastructure to services for domestic violence survivors. It passed with 72% of the vote. 

“The only person who probably liked all 16 projects was me,” Holt said. “But that’s how compromise works.” 

When asked how the city keeps that culture intact, Holt cited transparency, regular communication and follow-through. He uses social media to connect with residents and delivers an annual State of the City address that frames policy goals and invites public input. 

“For me, the strategy is clear: listen to as many people as possible, pull from different perspectives, and create an outcome where residents can see their priorities reflected—even if it’s not everything they wanted,” Holt said. “When people feel like their voice helped shape the final product, they’re more likely to support it, and more likely to trust the process going forward.” 

Holt said Oklahoma City’s growth—from the 37th largest U.S. city to the 20th—is tied to its culture of civic unity and voter-driven investment. Under Oklahoma law, major projects require public approval through sales tax votes, which have consistently passed since the 1980s. 

He added that the city’s diverse population contributes to an inclusive identity. “People of different political views, ethnicities, religions—when they do even a little research, they realize Oklahoma City is a welcoming place where they will be part of the conversation.”  

Holt pointed to the lapel he wears every day engraved with the words “One OKC,” sharing that the phrase embodies OKC and its people. “We’re all part of the conversation, we’re united, and we move forward together,” he said. 

Holt also addressed OKC’s role in the 2028 Olympics, where it will stage softball and canoe slalom events. The city will be the only one outside Southern California to stage an entire sport. 

“The Olympics are a perfect example of how Oklahoma City’s unifying culture translates into real outcomes,” Holt said. “We built facilities because we believed in investing in our city, and those investments created the opportunity.” 

Devon Park exists in its current form because of a voter-approved initiative in 2017, while RIVERSPORT wouldn’t be in OKC without MAPS 3. Both facilities would not exist without the community, for both projects were publicly funded and required the community to come together and say yes. 

Holt said the Olympic spotlight is further proof that collective decision-making leads to tangible results. “Make the commitment, put your money where your future is, and build things that matter,” he said. “The Olympics are just the latest—and maybe most visible—example of what that mindset can achieve.” 

To read the interview transcription, visit How unity and investment are driving Oklahoma City’s growth - Smart Cities World.