By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
A previously declared candidate has decided not to seek a seat on the Canadian County Commission.
Calumet’s Daniel Pugh formally announced recently that he would file for the next four-year term as Canadian County’s District 3 commissioner.
Pugh, a small business owner, issued a statement Feb. 14 indicating he won’t file for public office.
“After careful reflection upon important priorities concerning family, health and time requirements toward further development and expansion of Pugh Gardens tours, with regret to all my past and present supporters, I am withdrawing my intention to run for Canadian County Commissioner District 3 in 2022.
“I will not be filing to participate in this year’s June 28th Republican primary.”
The candidate filing period is April 13-15 for county, state and federal offices.
RACE WIDE OPEN
Pugh’s about-face comes shortly after incumbent District 3 County Commissioner Jack Stewart said he wouldn’t seek a fourth term. Instead, Stewart plans to run for Senate District 18 in the 2022 election cycle.
After redistricting, Senate District 18 will include a significant part of the Yukon area and Oklahoma City in eastern Canadian County and Bethany and Woodlawn Park in western Oklahoma County. The new boundaries take effect Nov. 23 after November’s general election.
Stewart, of Yukon, has been Canadian County’s District 3 commissioner since April 2010.
Pugh previously challenged several times for Stewart’s seat, earning almost 40% of the vote in the November 2018 election.
Longtime El Reno Mayor/City Council Member Matt White and former Canadian County Commissioners’ Chief of Staff John Johnson have been suggested as possible District 3 commissioner candidates.
Other Canadian County offices up for election in 2022 are District 1 commissioner (incumbent Mark Hader), assessor (incumbent Matt Wehmuller) and treasurer (incumbent Carolyn Leck).
The next four-year term for county officers begins in January 2023.
