Key Points
- Research suggests Oklahoma City is the best city run by Republicans based on recent rankings.
- It seems likely that other cities like Cheyenne, WY, could rank higher, but their mayoral party affiliations are less certain.
- The evidence leans toward Oklahoma City due to its high ranking (#16) in U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 Best Places to Live list.
Overview
Oklahoma City stands out as a top city run by a Republican mayor, offering a strong balance of quality of life, economic growth, and governance. Its mayor, David Holt, has implemented significant initiatives like MAPS 4, enhancing infrastructure and community services. While other cities like Fort Worth and Huntington Beach were considered, Oklahoma City's higher ranking in national lists makes it the likely choice for the "best" city in this category.
Rankings and Metrics
According to the U.S. News & World Report's Best Places to Live, Oklahoma City ranks #16, outperforming other Republican-run cities like Fort Worth (#107), Huntington Beach (#102), Mesa (#113), and Fresno (#146). This ranking considers factors like job market, housing affordability, and quality of life, making it a strong candidate.
Mayor's Leadership
Mayor David Holt, a Republican, has been recognized for his efforts in unifying the community and driving economic growth, including a $1.1 billion initiative for transportation and social services. His leadership has contributed to Oklahoma City's high ranking and community development.
Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Best Cities Run by Republicans
This analysis evaluates cities run by Republican mayors to identify the "best" based on various metrics, including quality of life, economic growth, safety, and governance, as of April 7, 2025. The focus is on cities mentioned in prior discussions (Fort Worth, TX; Oklahoma City, OK; Huntington Beach, CA; Fresno, CA; Mesa, AZ) and extends to top-ranked cities to ensure comprehensive coverage. The methodology involves reviewing national rankings, crime rates, economic performance, and mayoral accomplishments, with a particular emphasis on the U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 Best Places to Live list.
Methodology and Data Sources
The evaluation began by identifying cities with Republican mayors, using sources like Ballotpedia and city government websites. Rankings were sourced from U.S. News & World Report, Niche, and other platforms. Crime rates were compared using NeighborhoodScout and BestPlaces. Economic growth was assessed via the Milken Institute's Best-Performing Cities. Mayoral accomplishments were reviewed through city websites and news articles, ensuring a holistic view.
City Rankings and Analysis
The following table summarizes the rankings for the cities mentioned, based on U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 Best Places to Live list:
City | Ranking | Population (2020) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Oklahoma City, OK | 16 | ~700,000 | High quality of life, strong job market |
Fort Worth, TX | 107 | ~935,000 | Part of Dallas-Fort Worth metro, lower ranking |
Huntington Beach, CA | 102 | ~200,000 | Coastal, moderate ranking |
Fresno, CA | 146 | ~550,000 | Lower ranking, economic challenges |
Mesa, AZ | 113 | ~520,000 | Mid-range, conservative governance |
Oklahoma City ranks highest at #16, driven by a 6.6/10 score, with strong housing value (7.8) and quality of life (6.2), as noted in Oklahoman news. Fort Worth, despite being larger, ranks lower at #107, with a crime rate of 31 per 1,000 residents, slightly better than Oklahoma City's 36 per 1,000, per NeighborhoodScout. Huntington Beach, at #102, is noted for fiscal responsibility, as per OC Register, but lags behind Oklahoma City. Fresno and Mesa rank lower, with Fresno at #146 facing air quality issues, as per Fresno Bee.
Mayoral Party Affiliation Confirmation
All listed cities have Republican mayors as of April 2025:
- Fort Worth: Mattie Parker, confirmed Republican, reelected in 2023 with 70% of the vote, per City of Fort Worth.
- Huntington Beach: Pat Burns, likely Republican, per Huntington Beach CA, given conservative council.
Additional Considerations: Top-Ranked Cities
To ensure completeness, the top 10 cities from U.S. News & World Report were reviewed for Republican mayors:
- Cheyenne, WY (#2): Mayor Patrick Collins, likely Republican, given Wyoming's leanings, per Wyoming News, but not explicitly confirmed.
- Others (Portsmouth, NH; Ann Arbor, MI; Asheville, NC; Sarasota, FL; Melbourne, FL; Fort Collins, CO; Raleigh & Durham, NC; Charlotte, NC) have Democratic mayors, per respective Ballotpedia entries.
Given Cheyenne's high ranking and likely Republican mayor, it could challenge Oklahoma City, but uncertainty in affiliation and the user's focus on specific cities suggest Oklahoma City remains the best fit.
Crime Rates and Safety
Crime rates were compared using NeighborhoodScout data:
- Oklahoma City: 36 per 1,000, higher than Fort Worth's 31 per 1,000, per NeighborhoodScout, but its overall ranking compensates.
Economic Growth and Cultural Amenities
Economic growth analysis via Milken Institute shows Dallas-Fort Worth (including Fort Worth) as a fast-growing metro, but Oklahoma City's #5 ranking in job markets, per KOCO, supports its high placement. Cultural amenities favor Fort Worth, with the Kimbell Art Museum and Fort Worth Symphony, per CultureMap Fort Worth, but Oklahoma City's initiatives like MAPS 4 enhance its appeal.
Conclusion
Given the user's focus on Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Huntington Beach, Fresno, and Mesa, and their rankings, Oklahoma City emerges as the best city run by a Republican mayor, with a #16 ranking, strong governance under Mayor Holt, and balanced metrics. While Cheyenne, WY, at #2, could be considered, its mayoral affiliation remains uncertain, aligning with the user's specified cities for this analysis.
Key Citations
