Chuck Todd sits down with Oklahoma City mayor David Holt to discuss why mayors are able to operate above America's hyper-partisan politics and deliver for their constituents at a time when D.C. remains gridlocked.
On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt joins Chuck to talk about why mayors often stand apart from the hyper-polarized world of national politics. With no partisan primaries to cater to, Holt argues that mayors are forced to be pragmatic and bipartisan—because when city leaders fail, the public notices quickly. He describes how Oklahoma City reflects the political and demographic balance of the country, why federal dollars matter more than federal agents when it comes to public safety, and how cities are tackling challenges from police recruitment to affordable housing.
The conversation also touches on the unique role sports and culture play in a city’s identity, from Oklahoma City’s investment in a new arena for the Thunder to preparing for Olympic events. Holt warns of the risks of growing too fast, as seen in places like Austin and Nashville, and reflects on how the decline of local news has made it harder to communicate with residents. From social media outreach to funding journalism, Holt lays out the modern challenges and opportunities for cities trying to govern effectively while Washington remains gridlocked.
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Timeline:
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00:00 Mayor David Holt joins the Chuck ToddCast
00:45 What is the conference of mayors?
01:45 Mayors are uniquely bipartisan in this political environment
02:45 How has polarization not made its way into mayor’s offices
03:15 Mayor have to get things done
04:15 When mayors screw up the public notices
05:00 Mayors don’t face partisan primaries
06:30 The lack of primaries makes mayors govern in a bipartisan way
08:30 Primaries are the “source of all evil” in American politics
10:00 Does bipartisan nature of the conference put you at disadvantage w/Trump
11:30 Mayors can’t govern & cater only to their base
13:00 Oklahoma City is a political & demographic microcosm of the country
15:00 Many cities are struggling to hire more police officers
16:45 Trump sending troops into cities for law enforcement isn’t helpful
17:30 Crime doesn’t really happen “in the streets”
18:30 Hiring incentives for ICE is hurting police recruiting
19:45 Cities are having to offer much higher salaries for police officers
21:00 Federal dollars are better than federal agents for local enforcement
22:00 Youth programs are important to preventing crime
23:30 Local governments need federal help to reduce housing costs
26:45 How do you control housing costs in a free market system?
28:30 Government subsidies incentivize construction of low cost housing
30:30 Ways to incentivize landlords not to raise rents too quickly
32:45 Will cities run into a budget crisis now that covid money has dried up?
34:00 OKC didn’t use federal covid money for ongoing expenses
36:00 OKC used taxpayer money to get the Thunder a new arena
37:45 A major sports team is one of the best things a city can have
39:00 Concerned about OKC growing too fast?
40:30 Austin & Nashville grew too fast & caused quality of life issues
41:45 OKC hosting several Olympic events
43:30 Difficulties communicating to public with the decline of local news
44:45 Even when local news covers stories, the public doesn’t read it
45:45 Using social media to communicate with constituents
47:30 Funding local news & journalism
49:30 Is Oklahoma State out after Oklahoma move to SEC?