Mark Breedlove, D-Porum, said he is not a career politician, but is a “career county employee.”

“That’s something I want people to think about,” he said. “It seems like everybody comes out of left field during election time and wants to be county commissioner — but they’ve never worked for the county commissioner.”

The primary election is Tuesday and pits Breedlove against three other Democrats: Stephen Wright of Porum, who is the incumbent; Ronnie Pevehouse of Webbers Falls; and Roscoe Duke of Warner. No Republicans are running. The runoff will be Aug. 28.

Breedlove said he’s been a county employee for 11 years — and that’s something no other candidate can claim.

“I’ve never seen them standing in line putting in an application wanting to work for the county,” he said. “None of them wants to be a worker. I have been, and I think that’s important.”

Breedlove said his experience is right for the position and the time is right for new leadership.

“We need new leadership and better organization and better work ethic,” he said.

His top priorities are emergency, mail and school bus routes, he said.

“I think they should be maintained year ’round, not just during election time,” he said.

Breedlove said he also has oilfield experience, in which he supervised employees.

“I’ve been a hands-on county worker. I worked the ice storm of 2000, worked with FEMA during that storm,” he said, referring to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “I’ve worked the road maintenance program, and right now I’m working on installing the road signs in the rural area of District 2 so emergency responders can get to people faster.”

Breedlove said he also has people skills that will serve the position well.

“I think that’s my greatest asset. I think I’m a people person,” he said. “I know what it’s like — I’ve been a worker, been an employee.”

Reach Wendy Burton at (918) 684-2926 or wburton@muskogeephoenix.com.

Candidates for County Commissioner District 2

• Stephen Wright, D-Porum (i).

• Ronnie Pevehouse, D-Webbers Falls.

• Mark Breedlove, D-Porum.

• Roscoe Duke, D-Warner.

Meet Mark Breedlove

OFFICE SOUGHT: County Commissioner District 2.

AGE: 53.

HOMETOWN: Porum.

FAMILY: Wife, Tonya; daughters Cortney and Sabrina; and one grandson.

OCCUPATION: County employee, work for District 2.

EDUCATION: Graduate of Porum High School, also attended Connors State College.

RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION: Assembly of God.

HOBBIES: Hunting, riding motorcycles and spending time with grandson, niece and nephew.