Two candidates will face off May 11 for the Ward 3 city council seat in Midwest City that is being vacated by term-limited Councilwoman Ruth Cain.

Both candidates are highly educated and have spent decades in the community. Now each feels a desire to give something back to the community in the form of his or her service.

Rick Dawkins and Espaniola Bowen emerged in first and second place, respectively, in a primary election in March that narrowed the field in Ward 3 from four to two candidates. Dawkins had 339 votes, accounting for 46.89 percent of the vote. Bowen came in second with 236 votes, for 32.64 percent of the vote. With no one taking more than 50 percent, that meant a runoff.

With a field of four, neither Dawkins nor Bowen was surprised it would come down to a runoff. The only real surprise the night of March 2 was when Midwest City elected a new mayor, Jack Fry, ousting the incumbent, Russell Smith.

Midwest City Clerk Rhonda Atkins confirmed the election date is May 11 and will only be for Ward 3  residents. Ward 3  is roughly the area between Reno Avenue and NE 10th Street from Midwest Boulevard east to the city limits. The runoff will be the only item on the ballot.

KNOW YOUR CANDIDATES
Dawkins retired as a Mid-Del School District administrator after 33 years of service in 2005. He retired as principal of Traub Elementary, the same school he worked in as a custodian as a young man while he was in college.

A 1970 graduate of Carl Albert High School, Dawkins went on to earn a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in education administration from the University of Central Oklahoma. He also served in the Air Force Reserve for six years.

Dawkins has been on the city's planning commission for 10 years and served stints with the urban renewal authority and as chairman of the city's zoning ordinance committee.

After retiring, Dawkins went to work in his family's business, Dawkins Insurance.

Bowen, originally from Texas, has lived in the Oklahoma City area for 48 years and has been in Midwest City for the last 26 years.
In her work with the State Health Department, Bowen is in the office of primary care. A graduate of Northeast High School in Oklahoma City, Bowen has a paralegal degree from Rose State College, a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in adult education, all from Oklahoma City University.

Bowen has had leadership roles in her neighborhood association, the Oklahoma Public Health Leadership Institute, and in projects around Midwest City to improve the area and spur economic development, like the 29th Street projects.

FAMILY TIES
Dawkins and his wife, Gloria, have a daughter, Linsey Michaud, who lives in Edmond with her husband, Ben, and their two young daughters, Adeline and Blakely.

Bowen has two daughters. Fumiko Bowen is in the Air Force reserves and is currently stationed in Afghanistan, while Bowen's oldest daughter, Santricia Hall, lives in Dallas.

WHY RUN
Neither candidate has fallen idle or has abundant free time, but each decided to make a first-time bid for elected office after looking at how they could each better serve their community.

Both candidates said they were each approached by friends and members of the community who encouraged each to run for the open ward three seat.

"It's a way to give back," Dawkins said. "The city's been great to me, and I want to do anything I can to keep us on track or make us better."
Bowen wanted to take her community involvement to the next step.

"I've worked in the community over 15 years," she said. "I felt it was time for me to do more in the community."

Both candidates listed economic development at the top of their to-do lists if elected. While both praised the 29th Street developments, both mentioned the large vacant retail spaces around town that used to house Heritage Park Mall, Wal-Mart, Albertson's and Target.

ADVICE FROM CAIN
Cain is leaving office after serving three consecutive four-year terms, the maximum allowed for a city council seat. She was originally approached by then-City Manager Charles Johnson to run for the seat in the city's third ward. She was home-schooling two of her three children at that time and used the campaign as an ongoing government and civics lesson.

From Cain's experience and tenure on the city council, she said that the next person to hold that seat should continue focusing on economic development in the city, but, more importantly, to work on issues in neighborhoods to keep them safe, inviting and well-lit at night.

Accessibility to voters and a willingness to listen to any concern, big or small, will also be paramount to the next Ward 3  council member's success, Cain said.

Cain knows both candidates and said despite which one of them wins, the residents of Midwest City and Ward 3 will be in good hands.

"No matter who wins, they'll do a wonderful job," she said.

Looking toward the upcoming election, both Dawkins and Bowen are hoping to take their first elected office to better the community, but neither is quitting a day job. The city council positions pay $200 a month.

"I want to look out for the best interests of the community and the people of Midwest City," Bowen said.

Dawkins echoed his opponent's thoughts on the community and the office.

"I've lived here my whole life, and I plan on living here for the rest of my life," Dawkins said. "I want to have the kind of city people want to move to and to promote a positive image."

photos top Espaniola Bowen. photo/Mark Hancock. bottom Rick Dawkins.