The residents of Enid, Oklahoma, rallied together to reclaim their community’s values, ejecting a well-known white supremacist from their city commission. Cheryl Patterson, a moderate Republican with a background in education, won the recall election against incumbent Judd Blevins, a far-right conservative and unabashed Trump supporter, by a commanding margin of nearly 20 points.
The special election, which saw Patterson securing approximately 59.64% of the vote, was the culmination of a deeply divided city’s efforts to stand against hate. Blevins, who only a year prior had stepped into his role on the commission, came under fire for his involvement in the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally—a notorious gathering of white supremacists that ended in violence and the tragic death of Heather Heyer, an antiracist activist.
Despite the conservative leanings of the Enid community, the revelations of Blevins’s participation in such a vile event sparked a fervent campaign for his removal. This campaign, driven by a desire to uphold the community’s integrity, led to the successful recall race.
Defending his actions, Blevins claimed his attendance at the rally was an attempt to spotlight the issues that he believed aided Donald Trump’s 2016 election victory. He also mentioned a perceived “anti-white hatred” in the media as part of his rationale. Blevins’s history of posting racist and antisemitic content online, along with his active involvement with Identity Evropa, a group pushing white nationalist ideologies, only added fuel to the fire of community outrage.
Even in defeat, Blevins remained defiant, attributing his loss to what he described as a “coalition of leftists and moderates” aided by a media blitz employing “scare tactics.” His unrepentant stance, however, did little to sway the opinion of Enid’s citizens, who were ready to move past the division he represented.
Patterson’s victory is seen as a beacon of hope and a step towards restoring civility and focus on the city’s affairs without the shadow of hate looming over. She aims to bring the city’s discussions back to the local level, focusing on Enid’s future and the positive developments awaiting its residents.
The community’s response to Blevins’s tenure and subsequent recall sends a powerful message beyond the borders of Enid. It serves as a testament to the power of unity and the rejection of hate-based ideologies. As Enid looks forward to a future defined by cooperation and progress, the city stands as a symbol of what can be achieved when communities stand firm in their values and act decisively against divisiveness.
This election was more than just a local affair; it was a statement that hate has no place in our towns, cities, or anywhere in our society. Enid’s voters have shown that, even in the most conservative of communities, there is a strong, unwavering demand for leaders who represent the best of American values—equality, inclusivity, and respect for all.
