CANDIDATE PROFILE: Seth Condley, candidate for Payne County Commissioner District 2, ready for growth and transparency

Apr. 19—Seeking his first term in elected office as a member of the Republican party, Seth Condley, 46, will face incumbent Chris Reding — also from the Republican party — for the Payne County Commissioner No. 2 seat in the June 18 primary.

Condley has been in Stillwater and Payne County for close to three decades.

He was born and raised in Muskogee, where he graduated from Muskogee High School in 1996. After high school, he attended Oklahoma State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education/Health in May of 2002 and a number of teaching certificates.

While attending OSU, he played football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys from 1996-2000, and in the year 2000 he was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award. He was a member of the 2000 All-Big 12 Academic First team and a member of the 1997 Alamo Bowl Team.

He is known in the community as spouse to Rachael Belvin Condley; father to four children: Joye, Griffin, Graham and Grady. He said he is devoted to his faith and his work as a Stillwater Junior High School teacher (8th Grade U.S. History and 9th Grade Physical Education) and as head coach for the Stillwater High School boys' soccer team.

He faces his seasoned challenger with the mentality of a sportsman: undaunted.

"I think it's a good thing," he said of his first-time candidacy. "I think people get set in their ways and I think it's time for someone new. District 2 needs a new voice. We are absolutely confident about June 18."

He plans to hit the campaign circuit at the end of spring with the Stillwater Frontier Rotary Club luncheon on May 30. After that, it's the League of Women Voters and local talk shows and anywhere constituents need him to be, he said.

Condley, if elected, believes he could serve Payne County by improving the areas of transparency and growth, budgeting and infrastructure, communications and accountability.

"I want Payne County to be a key player on the state level and national level," he said. "One of the first things I want to do is get to know the people I'll be working with. I will meet with the other Commissioners, listen to their voices first and mend some fractured relationships.

"I'm also planning to work on trying to get a livestream (versus only the current audio of meetings) so more people can see what we're doing, and bring some stability back to processes."

He has been talking to constituents in District 2 and said he has heard concerns in regards to leadership, transparency, fiscal responsibility, supervision of departments, availability in the office and on-the-job presence, working relationships with other governmental entities and more need for unity in county government and within the county commissioner offices.

"They want a new approach," he said. "I'm going to be a voice for everybody, and that's what I'm looking forward to doing."

His campaign slogans are:

—"See a need, fill a need."

—"Do more than what's expected."

—"Find out what's needed and do it."

Overall, Condley is passionate about public service and dedicated to the people of Payne County and District 2.

With no Democrat, Independent or Libertarian candidate there is no general election in November for this seat, and the primary election will determine the next Commissioner District 2.

"We know it won't be an easy challenge ahead, but we are thoroughly excited," Condley said.