NORMAN — David Tinsley was elected Tuesday to serve as Cleveland County Assessor, winning 56.22 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results released the night of the election by the Cleveland County Election Board. Tinsley received 9,141 votes.
Tinsley faced Jim Helm, who garnered 7, 117 votes, 43.78 percent of those cast in the election.
No Democrat filed for the position, making this the final election for the position.
Tinsley already was serving as assessor after being appointed to the position in February 2009, following Denise Heavner’s retirement.
“We’ll continue to do what we’re doing,” Tinsley said about his plans for the office.
Despite his slight lead during the precinct reporting, Tinsley said he waited to celebrate until the last precinct turned in its results, joining his supporters at his watch party at Coach’s in Norman after his win was finalized.
“I don’t take anything for granted,” he said.
Tinsley previously had gained 30 years experience in appraising with the Cleveland County Assessor’s Office. He is a charter member of the National Association of Property Inspectors and holds a certified senior inspector license from them. Tinsley has been a member of the International Association of Assessing Officers since 1987 and has served as the state representative for IAAO since 2005. He also served as the Oklahoma chapter president for IAAO.
Helm pegged his campaign on the slogan “Fight the 5% Hike,” which referred to the cap on property tax increases per year. It was approved by voters in 1996, but Helm would like to see it lowered to a 3 percent cap.
Despite his loss, Helm said he plans on staying engaged in seeing the cap lowered.
“I’m still a hike fighter,” he said. Helm stated that he will work with local legislators to try to take the issue to a vote of the people.
“We voted it in, we can vote it out,” he said.
If his attempts with the legislator fails, he would like to see the issue brought forward via initiative petition.
Helm congratulated Tinsley and wished him and his staff well, noting that he felt it was fortunate for the Cleveland County citizens to have two qualified candidates to chose from.
Helm is a former Moore public school teacher who later switched to real estate, beginning in management, investment and appraisal work.
Aaron Wright Gray 366-3533 pop@normantranscript.com
