The race for the Democratic Party’s nomination to run for Oklahoma House of Representatives District 44 just got bigger.

Norman City Councilman Tom Kovach announced he plans to run to represent the State House district that represents OU.

Having lived in the district for more than 40 years, Kovach said he understands the character and values of the community.

“Preserving those requires the knowledge of this community, the experience that comes from personal relationships with fellow residents — the people I’ve grown up and worked with,” Kovach said by e-mail. “We must meet our challenges without sacrificing those qualities that make Norman such a great place to live.”

Kovach said his many years of local involvement on a wide range of important community issues have given him the necessary background and experience to successfully meet the challenges he would face representing District 44.

Kovach said he got involved in his community at just 15 years old when he addressed the Norman City Council about local flooding issues.

In 2008, Kovach was elected to the Norman City Council and has focused on issues such as public safety, flooding and improving water quality.

Kovach also serves as the Council’s representative to the Citizen’s Oversight Committee on Wastewater and is a member of the Council Oversight Committee and the Transportation Committee. He coordinated with local agencies and jurisdictions to launch Citizens Against the Financial Exploitation of the Elderly) in Cleveland County.

Kovach said he is running for the Oklahoma State House to continue his service as an outspoken advocate of the public and open government.

“Sometimes government produces ideas that in the light of day lack common sense. I have always been willing to speak out on those occasions, as the voice of the people, and I remain so,” Kovach said.

“Throughout my years in Norman, I have worked with people from all walks of life, helping them to find solutions to the problems they faced. I have done so as a union leader, a small business owner and now as a local business executive.

“I accomplished those things through honesty, respectful communication and a willingness to hear all sides of an issue — the same qualities that will mark my service as your next state representative.”

Kovach will face off against two OU students also seeking the Democratic Party nomination.

Emily Virgin, first-year law student, and Isaiah McCaslin, public policy junior, announced their candidacies earlier this year.

District 44 covers much of Norman, including the OU campus. It stretches from Tecumseh Road in the north to Highway 9 in the south, I-35 in the west and Porter Avenue and Classen Boulevard in the east.

The Democratic Party primary election is July 27, and the general election vote is set for Nov. 2.