Editor’s Note: June 18 is the election for Okmulgee County Commissioner District 2. Candidates are incumbent David Walker and challengers Steve Ward and Ivan Funk.
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- David Walker: A Dedicated Servant for Okmulgee County
As a lifelong resident of Okmulgee County, I, R. David Walker, have always been deeply invested in the well-being of our community. My journey into public service began with a simple desire: to make things better for our county and its employees. Now, after a little over three years in office as your County Commissioner, I am seeking re-election to continue the work we have started together.
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A Commitment to Transparency and Independence
I firmly believe in the principles of transparency and independence in public service. This is why I have never accepted political donations, either during my first term or now. This allows me to make decisions solely based on what is best for Okmulgee County, free from any potential influence that could come from accepting donations. I also believe in term limits, and this will be my second and final term as your County Commissioner.
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Achievements and Future Goals
During my first term, we have accomplished a lot despite our limited funds. We have maintained 273 miles of roads in District #2 and secured funding from grants for specific areas. We have also completed a $7.3 million project on Dentonville Road over by Nuyaka, a shared project between districts 1 and 2 that took 1 year and 8 months to finish.
Looking ahead, we have exciting projects lined up. Two bridges are set to be financed by the Creek Nation, and we are hoping to secure a lake access grant for a 3-mile section of road. I am constantly working to find additional funds to supplement our county’s budget.
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Leadership Roles & Responsibilities
In addition to my role as County Commissioner, I serve on several boards that impact our county’s financing. I am the Chairman of the Jail Board, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Eastern Oklahoma Development District. In these roles, I ensure that our county’s voice is heard.
We recently received a $7.5 million ARPA grant from the Federal Treasury, which I managed. We used a large portion of it to improve the county courthouse by adding central heat and air to replace the 35 window units that were not energy efficient, replaced the roof that was leaking, and changed out the windows for energy efficient ones along with replacing the lighting with led lighting. This not only makes the courthouse healthier but will save money in the future. Although the original grant did not allow us to use the money on roads, we fought until the treasury later changed its policy. As a result, we dedicated an extra $1.8 million to our roads.
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Giving Back to the Community
This position is not a career for me; it is my chance to give back to the county I have called home all my life. I have earned the full support of both the other Commissioners, along with the District Attorney, Sheriff, and Under Sheriff, to name a few. I invite you to visit my website at rdavidwalker.com to learn more about my achievements and vision for Okmulgee County.
I humbly ask for your support to continue serving our county. Together, we can build a brighter future for Okmulgee County.
