Longtime public servant and local business owner Robert Chaney officially announced his candidacy for District 1 County Commissioner, pledging a campaign focused on fiscal responsibility, infrastructure improvements and support for public safety agencies. Chaney, who spent 25 years as a firefighter and paramedic and later served more than four years as Director of Marshall County Emergency Management, said his decision to run is rooted in a deep commitment to the community he has called home for decades.
“This isn’tjustwhere Ilive, it’s home,” Chaney said while addressing supporters. “It’s the place where neighbors see each other at the grocery store, where Friday night lights bring the community together, and where people step up to help each other when a fence blows down or someone is recovering from a tornado or fire.”
Throughout his career in emergency services, Chaney said he has seen firsthand both the strengths of Marshall County and the challenges the community faces. Rising costs, aging infrastructure and the need to support law enforcement and first responders are among the issues he said he believes the local government must address in the coming years.
“Our county faces real challenges,” Chaney said. “We need leadership that listens first and talks second, leadership that understands every tax dollar comes from hardworking families and should be spent carefully.”
If elected, Chaney said he plans to focus on three key priorities, beginning with fiscal responsibility. He emphasized the need for balanced budgets and careful planning to ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely without creat-ing unnecessary burdens for future generations.
He also highlighted infrastructure and public safety as essential services that require strong support. Maintaining safe roads, reliable county services and adequate resources for the sheriffs department, firefighters and emergency medical services will remain a central focus of his administration, he said.
“These aren’t luxuries,” Chaney said. “They’re es sentials.”
Chaney also addressed the issue of growth in southern Oklahoma, noting that development pressures are likely to increase in the coming years. Rather than resisting change entirely, he saidthecountymustmanage growth in a way that preserves the character of rural communities while creating opportunities for local businesses and family farms.
“Growth is coming whether we like it or not,” Chaney said. “The question is whether we manage it wisely.”
He said his approach to leadership will emphasize transparency and accessibility, promising to remain engaged with residents and listen to their concerns.
“I don’t claim to have all the answers,” Chaney said. “But I promise I will show up, I will listen, and I will work hard. I will always put this community first, not politics, not special interests and not personal gain.”
Chaney concluded his announcement by encouraging residents to stay involved in county government and share their ideas for the future.
“County government shouldn’t feel distant,” he said. “It should feel like what it truly is, neighbors working with neighbors.”