Kenneth Broadway

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Kenneth Broadway is running for Mayor of Norman unopposed in his first campaign for public office a year after organizing the town’s first festival last fall. He hopes to build on the momentum of “Norman Fest” to create investment in the community.

“Everybody felt like our little Norman Fest turned out to be a great success - we had about 700 people there and that was more than anybody expected for our first little festival,” Broadway explained this week. “Since that happened, I’ve had a couple of people approach me and ask me to run for mayor. I’m not a politician - by any means - but nobody had filed by Friday morning so I decided I’d go ahead and be the one.”

Broadway’s father owned the Gulf station in Norman, and he was born there though he would grow up in the Candor area. He works as a taxidermist and handy man while his wife is a hairstylist.

“I always thought of Norman as my hometown,” he said. “I’ve been back here about three years now - it’s sentimental to me.”

He hopes the second Norman Fest will be the highlight of the year.

“Because the first one was such a big success - I feel a little bit of pressure to make this one even bigger,” Broadway joked. “We’re working hot and heavy on it, and I really hope that bringing all these people here to see the town may attract somebody who wants to spend a little money and create some jobs here. You never know!”