Ward 1 Councilwoman Mary Ann Hankins-Booker has announced her plans to resign from the Lawton City Council, as reported by the city's official news hub. Elected to serve since January 2019, her departure is linked to her upcoming move out of Ward 1 boundaries and evolving role as the spouse of Lawton's current mayor, Stan Booker.
Hankins-Booker's tenure was marked by a strong push for neighborhood revitalization and infrastructure enhancement. As a council member, she stood at the forefront of some of the largest Capital Improvement Plans in the city of Lawton. "It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve alongside what I believe to be the most aggressive and progressive City Council in modern times and quite possibly in the city’s history," she remarked, as per the City of Lawton website, during an early announcement to allow for ample time for suitable candidates to step forward.
Not shy to tackle pressing issues head on, she has been an advocate for engaging the community and addressing citywide structural hazards. Her influence and initiatives have propelled Lawton Fort Sill with "unprecedented momentum," according to her statement on the City of Lawton website. Hankins-Booker emphasized her ongoing commitment to Lawton, indicating that stepping away from the council will open doors for her to serve in different capacities, pledging to back the mayor and his administration.
Though stepping down, her legacy as councilwoman promises to linger in the policies and improvements she has helped champion. The City of Lawton is expected to release application details for the Ward 1 vacancy shortly.
