In the north-west Oklahoma city of Enid, residents are preparing to cast their votes in a crucial decision regarding a city councilmember's future. Judd Blevins, an Iraq war veteran who was elected as the commissioner of Enid's first ward last year, now faces the possibility of being removed from his post due to his attendance at the deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, back in 2017.

The Enid social justice committee has spearheaded the effort to remove Blevins from office, accusing him of embracing Nazi ideology and white supremacy. Their accusations go beyond his physical presence in Charlottesville, as he has also been linked to online chatroom posts planning the march, sharing hate-group propaganda, and recruiting members for the disbanded white supremacist group, Identity Evropa.

During the Charlottesville rally, which led to the tragic murder of counterprotester Heather Heyer and the deaths of two Virginia State Police officers in a helicopter crash, Blevins was among those in attendance. The revelation of his ties to white nationalism came to light through a local newspaper article, published by the Enid News & Eagle.

The social justice committee, led by James Neal, submitted a petition to remove Blevins due to his refusal to address the accusations or denounce any association with neo-Nazism or white supremacy. Despite their efforts to seek answers from him or Enid's leadership, they have been left with no choice but to bring the issue to the voters.

In response, Blevins labeled the committee's claims as a smear campaign and expressed concerns about the additional cost that a removal process would impose on taxpayers. He referred to his predecessor, Jerry Allen, who had expressed the belief that he deserved respect in his role.

Blevins highlighted his achievements since being elected to office, which include supporting the establishment of a movie theater, improving stormwater drainage, and welcoming a branch of the Texas Roadhouse steak restaurant chain in his ward. He emphasized that voters trusted him to represent their values, concerns, and hopes for the future of Enid.

In November, a resolution to censure Blevins for his failure to address or apologize for his white nationalist affiliations was dropped after fellow commissioner Derwin Norwood, the only Black member of the city council, accepted Blevins' statement opposing racial hatred and discrimination.

Amidst the ongoing controversy, Cheryl Patterson, a Republican and grandmother who has served as a longtime youth leader in a local church, stands as Blevins' opponent in the upcoming vote on April 2nd. The recall campaign, led by Democrat Nancy Presnall, has garnered support from individuals across the political spectrum, emphasizing that it is a matter of opposing Nazism rather than being influenced by party affiliations.

As Enid's 50,000 residents prepare to make their decision, concerns about the long-term impact on the city's reputation have arisen. Some residents attribute the close margin by which Blevins secured his seat in the previous election to a decline in newspaper readership and voter apathy in municipal elections. However, the controversy surrounding Blevins has invigorated a previously dormant community and motivated them to fight against the ideologies he represents.

The upcoming vote will determine whether Enid stands with Blevins or chooses a new path forward, as residents grapple with the consequences of having a councilmember associated with white supremacy within their ranks.