Judge denies firefighter injunction

A federal judge denies a request for an injunction to allow Tulsa firefighters to campaign in municipal elections.

Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett signed an executive order prohibiting firefighters from campaigning in municipal elections. The order says city charter prohibits firefighters from speaking at rallies, picketing or soliciting votes for city candidates. 

“Federal District Court Judge Gregory Frizzell has confirmed that my Executive Order to uphold the city charter is both legally correct and constitutionally sound,” Mayor Bartlett said. “Judge Frizzell ruled that the charter is the organic law of a municipality and that it cannot be overturned by the advice of a City Attorney or any actions by a Mayor or City Council. I believe as Mayor it is my job to uphold the city charter as the Citizens of Tulsa approved it years ago.”

The judge found the firefighters didn’t establish their right to get the injunction that would have allowed them to campaign.

The firefighters say the order is a violation of their first amendment rights.