Karen Keith Dog Whistles to MAGA with Sanctuary City Rhetoric

GREENWOOD DIST. – Karen Keith, a 2024 Tulsa Mayoral candidate and current county commissioner, strategically walks the political tightrope approach during a recent debate hosted by NonDoc. In her response to a question about outgoing Mayor GT Bynum’s legacy, Keith used language that could be seen as a dog whistle to potential MAGA Republican voters by emphasizing that Tulsa is “not a sanctuary city”.

“I love how he has made this a welcoming city. And for folks who say it’s a sanctuary city, it is not a sanctuary city. A welcoming city means that we embrace those who are here, we work with them, and we uplift them,” Keith stated at the NonDoc mayoral debate.

Registered Democrat Karen Keith has used similar rhetoric before. Earlier this month, she made a similar statement. “Tulsa is not a sanctuary city. Illegal immigration and the crisis at the border are challenges that are best addressed at the federal level,” Keith told the Tulsa World. Notably, Donald Trump also frequently used the term “sanctuary city” during his presidency to criticize cities seen as welcoming to immigrants, seemingly drawing division.

Nichols Takes a Unifying Approach, Prioritizes Tulsa’s Safety and Police Support Over Divisive Political Rhetoric

Monroe Nichols, also a candidate for Tulsa Mayor, has chosen a less divisive approach than Keith. He told the Tulsa World, “My focus is making Tulsa safer, not feeding into harmful political rhetoric that further divides our city.” 

On the campaign trail, Nichols has highlighted the challenges facing Tulsa’s police force, noting that the department is currently operating with nearly 140 fewer officers than needed. Moreover, he emphasized the seriousness of the recruitment issue and made it clear that he does not support diverting essential local resources due to what he describes as failures in Washington, D.C., to address broader issues.

Keith’s Sanctuary City Rhetoric Draws Criticism, Risks Alienating Progressives and Pro-Immigrant Advocates

Many perceive Keith’s actions as an attempt to appeal to MAGA or Republican voters. By using the phrase “not a sanctuary city”, she risks alienating progressives or pro-immigrant groups who prioritize humanitarian approaches to anti-immigration policies as vital for safeguarding their vulnerable populations.

“The only thing Karen Keith stands for is establishment Republicans. She’s playing to polls, not to people,” Calvin Michael Moniz, a Tulsa Public Schools member, said.

“The undocumented people I know have lived here for years, are law-abiding, work six days a week to support their families, go to church on Sundays, and make sure their kids go to school every day and show respect for their teachers. Many came here to escape from gang violence that endangered their families. Ripping these families apart is not in our national interest,” Elaine Meek said.

Notably, a national study found that Oklahoma’s immigrant population contributes around $227M in Oklahoma Taxes annually.