Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith has yet to decide on her next move.
“Maybe I just want to be a master gardener, I get it,” Keith said with a laugh.
Keith, who served as District 2 County Commissioner for 16 years, ran against Monroe Nichols in the Tulsa mayoral race.
She has given up her candidacy for mayor and will no longer serve as mayor.
In an interview with Public Radio Tulsa, Keith said he plans to take some time off.
“Give me six months and then I’ll reset what I want to do,” Keith said.
Keith was honored to receive the proclamation Monday night at Sand Springs. The City Council recognized her years of public service.
This community has meant so much to me,” Keith said. “I have truly enjoyed working with the administration, councilors and mayor over the past 16 years.”
The statement cited Keith’s many career accomplishments, including his work as a reporter for local television station KJRH.
The proclamation also cited Keith’s work during his tenure overseeing construction of Tulsa’s new Juvenile Justice Family Center.
Keith was criticized during his mayoral campaign over allegations of abuse at the facility. She repeatedly denied responsibility. Juvenile Judge Kevin Gray oversaw the center until county commissioners took over the facility following allegations of abuse.
Asked about his work with the FCJJ, which came under intense scrutiny during his mayoral campaign, Keith said the attack was “just politics” funded by opaque sources.
“People knew it was a lie,” she says. “There was probably $2 million worth of dark money out there. How do you fight that? That’s something we as a people should be talking about.”
