OSU student, 27, elected as Stillwater mayor

April 08, 2009 03:26 pm

— STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — A 27-year-old Oklahoma State University student has won by 27 votes in his race to become Stillwater's next mayor.

Navy veteran Nathan Bates, a junior majoring in health education, defeated incumbent Roger McMillian in Tuesday's election. Bates received 1,308 votes, while McMillian had 1,281.

The results won't be certified by the Payne County Election Board until Friday.

Bates says he hopes his successful candidacy will encourage more students to both run for office and vote in elections.

Payne County's election secretary, Glenna Craig, says 7 percent to 10 percent of Stillwater's eligible voters cast a ballot in the election.

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Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com