Governor Kevin Stitt called a special election to fill a vacancy in the office of Marshall County Commissioner for District 2. One of the candidates up for the position is Nick Hartin of Madill, Okla.
Hartin has lived in Marshall County his entire life having lived just east of Madill. His father welded and built fences while farming and raising cattle and Hartin’s mother worked at the county clerk’s office for forty-two years.
Hartin graduated from Madill High school before attending MurrayStateCollege in Tishomingo and graduated with an animal science degree. Hartin then pursued an occupational safety degree with a minor in environmental sciencefromSoutheastern Oklahoma State University in Durant.
Moving just a quarter of a mile from where he was raised, Hartin is now raising children of his own with his wife Betsy. The Hartin children consist of two daughters named Haylin and Hatlie. The Hartin girls can be seen showing cattle around the surrounding counties on any given weekend. The Hartin’s are also members of the Little City Baptist Church.
Hartin started his career in the oil fields until the company he worked for was bought out. Hartin then started working for Don “Salty” Melton by running a road grader for District 1. In October of this year, Hartin started working for District 2 as a foreman.
Hartin said he liked working as a road grader to see the finished projects come to life.
“I like being on the road grader and I like making a difference in the community” Hartin said. “Working for Salty was just a fill in job but after things did not work out in the oil field after 2020, I just liked to be able to look back and see that you can make a difference and make people happy in the area.”
Hartin said he felt like everything fell into place to pursue the county commissioner job since he has some experience under his belt with county work.
“It just kinda all fell in place and seemed like it was right to pursue to county commissioner job on the east side of town where I live to make the community better and spend the taxpayer dollars the best way I know how,” he said. Hartin said his proudest accomplishment is his family. He said he tells his girls every time they go to a show ring to “make a hand”. Hartin said that was something that his dad taught him as a young boy.
“When you work, do your honest work.” Hartin stated.
Bridges and roads are just a small part of the commissioner’s responsibilities. Hartin emphasized there is still a lot to learn about the job, but he is willing to put the work in to learn.
“You oversee a lot of things most people probably don’t realize that’s all in control of thethreecountycommissioners and there’s a lot to learn,” Hartin explained. “It’s not going to happen overnight. It’s how much you put into it, is how much you’ll get out of it.”
Hartin is running against candidate Lloyd Adams for Marshall County Commissioner District 2. The Special Primary Election will be held Tuesday, February 14, 2023, and the Special General Election on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.