Traci Baker at a recent gathering of the Libertarian Party of Oklahoma.
NORMAN, Okla. – Traci Baker announced last week her candidacy for Norman's Ward 2 City Council seat. Baker, 19, is a Political Science/Pre-Law junior at the University of Oklahoma. She was unsuccessful in her campaign for Norman's Ward 7 City Council seat last February; however, this defeat didn't stop her from running again for a council position after relocating to Nottingham Cottages in Ward 2.
"I have a passion for public service," Baker told Red Dirt Report.
Baker's political and civic engagements for her age is impressive; debater in high school at state and federal level, best senator for 2016 session at the mock government, senior staff on the Gary Johnson's presidential campaign in Oklahoma, served on the John McAfee 2016 campaign, former chair of Outright Oklahoma, former national Outright Secretary, and serves as head Candidate Director for the Libertarian Party of Oklahoma.
"I have more experiences in politics than some people who enter politics in their thirties," Baker said when asked about her young age.
The Ward 2 City Council seat is currently occupied by Councilmember Aleisha Karjala who announced last August her intent to run for State Senate District 16 in 2018.
"She is doing a great job as a councilmember," Baker said about Karjala.
Baker also likes to pursue Norman Forward projects in the limit of the available budget and favors a stand-alone senior citizen center. She believes that the sales tax increase included with Norman Forward's proposition should be enough as long as the city establishes a clear schedule for the construction.
"This is a project that the citizens started, not the city," Baker said.
She is also against the recent announcement by the city of Norman to build a new entertainment district that includes an arena for OU.
"The city is already struggling to finance essential services, let OU handle its own problems," Baker explained.
Baker, who is transgender, wants to represent all minorities in Norman. She added the City of Norman has done a great job for minorities' rights but feels progress can still be made.
To learn more about Traci Baker's campaign, visit her Facebook page.