The Stillwegian

The Stillwegian The Stillwegian is your local source for stories that matter in Stillwater and Payne County.

Covering government, sports, and community life with accuracy, care, and a hometown touch.

🗳️ Before you vote, get to know who's on your ballot.Early voting is underway and the primary is Tuesday, June 16 — and ...
06/11/2026

🗳️ Before you vote, get to know who's on your ballot.

Early voting is underway and the primary is Tuesday, June 16 — and in most of our local races, no Democrat or independent filed, which means whoever wins the primary wins the seat outright. This is the election that decides them.

That's why we built the Stillwegian Election Desk: a nonpartisan voter guide to the county commissioner, state Senate and state House races in our area. For every candidate, you'll find:

✔️ Verified, sourced biographies — no spin
✔️ Their answers to our questionnaire on the issues facing your district, reviewed and fact-checked
✔️ Reader endorsement letters from neighbors in your community

We don't endorse candidates. That's not our job. Our job is to give you the facts and the candidates' own words, and let you decide.

The reporting is ours. The endorsements are yours.

📍 Read up before you vote 👇
https://www.thestillwegian.news/2026-election-desk/

🏛️ HOUSE DISTRICT 35 — a rematch.Incumbent Dillon Travis, who won the seat in February's special election, faces a famil...
06/11/2026

🏛️ HOUSE DISTRICT 35 — a rematch.

Incumbent Dillon Travis, who won the seat in February's special election, faces a familiar challenger in Kevin Wright — the two met in December's special primary. House District 35 covers portions of Creek, Noble, Osage, Pawnee and Payne counties, and no Democrat or independent filed, so the June 16 primary is the decisive contest.

Meet the candidates 👇

Dillon Travis, 33, Maramec (R, incumbent) — Won the District 35 seat in February's special election with 64 percent of the vote over Democrat Luke Kruse. A sixth-generation Oklahoman from Pawnee County, he owns and operates Southern Plains Ag Co., an agricultural supply company serving producers across four states, and manages his family's cattle and hay operation in Maramec; his wife, Kaylee, is a lecturer in agricultural communications at Oklahoma State University. In his questionnaire, Travis points to helping secure more than $1.2 million in water infrastructure funding for Pawnee and Ralston, and names rural infrastructure and education as his top priorities.

Kevin Wright, 58, Jennings (R) — A lifelong Oklahoman and small business owner of more than 28 years who founded three Jennings-based companies and served 12 years as mayor of Jennings before retiring at the end of 2025. He teaches Sunday school and is president of the Promise, Literacy, and Education Foundation, founded by his late father. Eliminated in the December 2025 special Republican primary, he filed again for the June race. In his questionnaire, Wright calls for a phased plan to cut income and property taxes — with immediate property-tax relief for seniors — and names protecting rural communities and agriculture among his priorities.

📋 On the Election Desk: Travis and Wright have both answered our questionnaire, so you can compare them side by side. Read the full Q&As 👇

NO SIGN UP REQUIRED TO READ
https://www.thestillwegian.news/2026-election-desk/ -35

🏛️ SENATE DISTRICT 20 — the primary decides it.Incumbent Chuck Hall, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, fac...
06/11/2026

🏛️ SENATE DISTRICT 20 — the primary decides it.

Incumbent Chuck Hall, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, faces challenger Mark LeMarr in the Republican primary for Senate District 20, which covers Payne, Noble, Pawnee, Logan and Kingfisher counties. No Democrat or independent filed, making the June 16 primary the decisive contest.

Meet the candidates 👇

Chuck Hall, 59, Perry (R, incumbent) — A fourth-generation Oklahoman raised and educated in Perry public schools. He has represented Senate District 20 since 2018 and is seeking his third and final term under state term limits. He chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee and serves as chairman of the board of Exchange Bank & Trust Company, a community bank with locations in Perry and Stillwater. He previously served as Perry's mayor from 2007 to 2013 and as the city's treasurer beginning in 1995.

Mark LeMarr, 63, Crescent (R) — A 1981 Guthrie graduate who earned a bachelor's degree in pastoral ministry and evangelism and has pastored CrossPointe Assembly Church in Crescent since 1989. He previously served as mayor of Cimarron City, spent eight years on the Rural Water District No. 2 board and chaired the Logan County Hospital Foundation Board. He has pledged to accept no lobbyist money, and his campaign priorities include a moratorium on wind and solar energy projects on rural land and lower property taxes.

📋 On the Election Desk: Hall has answered our questionnaire and has a reader endorsement letter posted. LeMarr has not responded. Read the full responses and endorsement 👇

NO SIGN UP REQUIRED TO READ
https://www.thestillwegian.news/2026-election-desk/ -20

🏛️ HOUSE DISTRICT 33 — the primary winner still has a November race ahead.Two Republicans face off in the June 16 primar...
06/11/2026

🏛️ HOUSE DISTRICT 33 — the primary winner still has a November race ahead.

Two Republicans face off in the June 16 primary for House District 33, which covers portions of Logan and Payne counties. Unlike most local races this year, the winner isn't done: they'll advance to face Democrat Dr. Max E. Burchett Jr. in the Nov. 3 general election.

Meet the candidates 👇

Molly Jenkins, 61, Coyle (R, incumbent) — A former middle school educator, adjunct professor and real estate broker, she holds degrees from Oklahoma State University and the University of Central Oklahoma and serves on the Common Education and Elections and Ethics committees. In her questionnaire, she points to a 100 percent score on the 2025 Oklahoma Conservative Index and her refusal of lobbyist money and gifts, and names full homestead property-tax relief as her top priority.

B.J. Roberson, 46, Cushing (R) — A real estate investor and mayor of Cushing, where he has served on the city commission for nearly a decade. He and his wife, Maria — a military veteran and nurse anesthetist — own Roberson Properties, a Cushing-based company that renovates and rents distressed homes across the region; their son serves as a Navy corpsman. In his questionnaire, Roberson highlights his Cushing record, including a lease extension that kept Hillcrest Hospital Cushing open through 2030, a 2020 agreement that preserved jobs at the Cimarron Correctional Facility, and the roughly $19 million reconstruction of Highway 33 through town.

📋 On the Election Desk: Jenkins and Roberson have both answered our questionnaire — with Stillwegian fact-checks on the claims they make — so you can compare them side by side. Read the full Q&As 👇

NO SIGN UP REQUIRED TO READ
https://www.thestillwegian.news/2026-election-desk/ -33

🛣️ DISTRICT 3 COMMISSIONER — the incumbent vs. her former second-in-command.Incumbent Rhonda Markum faces challenger Cla...
06/11/2026

🛣️ DISTRICT 3 COMMISSIONER — the incumbent vs. her former second-in-command.

Incumbent Rhonda Markum faces challenger Clayton Estus for the District 3 seat on the Payne County Board of Commissioners, covering the western half of the county. No Democrat or independent filed, so the June 16 primary winner takes the seat outright.

Meet the candidates 👇

Rhonda Markum, 63, Stillwater (R, incumbent) — Elected in 2022 after eight years as the District 3 administrative assistant under two commissioners. Before filing for the seat, she earned the Road Scholars certification, a state-level course in road construction management and documentation.

Clayton Estus, 32, Mulhall (R) — Describes himself as a lifelong Payne County resident with more than 14 years in heavy civil and road construction, excavation and equipment operations. He joined Payne County District 3 in October 2024 as road foreman and was promoted to chief deputy commissioner — the No. 2 position in the district, under the incumbent he is now challenging — before resigning at the end of March 2026 to file for the seat. His campaign emphasizes fiscal accountability and improved communication with constituents.

📋 On the Election Desk: Both Markum and Estus have answered our questionnaire. Read their full responses 👇
NO SIGN UP REQUIRED TO READ

https://www.thestillwegian.news/2026-election-desk/ -3

🛣️ DISTRICT 1 COMMISSIONER — three Republicans, one seat.Three Republicans are running for the District 1 seat on the Pa...
06/11/2026

🛣️ DISTRICT 1 COMMISSIONER — three Republicans, one seat.

Three Republicans are running for the District 1 seat on the Payne County Board of Commissioners, covering the eastern half of the county. No Democrat or independent filed, so the June 16 primary winner takes the seat outright.

Meet the candidates 👇

Zachary Cavett, 47, Glencoe (R, incumbent) — Has served as District 1 commissioner since 2012, the longest-tenured member of the current board, and serves as board chairman. He started with Payne County in 1997, working through roles from mechanics to road and bridge building before winning election to the seat.

Ray Harper, 66, Glencoe (R) — Has lived in Payne County since 1985. He spent 27 years at Mercury Marine, worked in construction and spent 10 years with ASCO. His son is Payne County Sheriff Joe Harper. He has framed his candidacy around road safety and responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

Jacob Presuhn, 31, Ripley (R) — Operates a small hobby farm near Ripley with his wife. He has worked on the Payne County District 3 road crew since October 2025 and previously spent six years in hospital maintenance at Stillwater Medical Center. He has proposed performance-based road reviews and a predictive maintenance program for county equipment.

📋 On the Election Desk: Cavett and Presuhn have answered our questionnaire and have reader endorsement letters posted. Harper has not responded as of this posting.

Tap through to read a Q&A with candidates and reader endorsements 👇
NO SIGN UP REQUIRED

https://www.thestillwegian.news/2026-election-desk/ -1

🗳️ Everything you need to know about local races in the upcoming primary is in one place.The Stillwegian's Election Desk...
06/08/2026

🗳️ Everything you need to know about local races in the upcoming primary is in one place.

The Stillwegian's Election Desk has candidate profiles for every contested race — Payne County commissioner Districts 1 and 3, Oklahoma Senate District 20, and Oklahoma House Districts 33 and 35. Questionnaire responses from all candidates are coming in before the June 10 deadline and will be published as received.

This year, registered Stillwegian members can also submit endorsement letters in support of candidates. Published letters run alongside candidate bios and questionnaire responses in the guide. It is the only local voter guide offering this feature.

The submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, June 10. Free membership is all you need to participate.

Early voting starts June 11. Read the full voter guide 👇
https://www.thestillwegian.news/2026-election-desk/

Stillwater school board member Dr. Marshall Baker has resigned from the Ward 5 seat after being appointed to the Oklahom...
06/06/2026

Stillwater school board member Dr. Marshall Baker has resigned from the Ward 5 seat after being appointed to the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board by the governor's office.

"I think the state of Oklahoma has got education on the mind, and this is the perfect time to raise my hand," Baker said.

He added that Stillwater isn't losing him.

"They're not getting rid of me," he said. "I'm going to be at everything I've always been at. It's just when they call roll call for Ward 5, there will be another exciting, cool new set of ideas represented on the board seat."

Applications to fill the Ward 5 vacancy close June 25.

Go deeper to learn how the governor's office reached out to a longtime Stillwater school board member to serve at the state level. 👇

https://www.thestillwegian.news/bakers-state-appointment-opens-stillwater-ward-5-board-seat/

Think a candidate deserves your support? 🗳️We're now accepting reader endorsement letters—a chance for Stillwater voters...
06/05/2026

Think a candidate deserves your support? 🗳️
We're now accepting reader endorsement letters—a chance for Stillwater voters to hear directly from you about who's earned your vote.

It takes just a few minutes to submit. Your voice matters in local elections.

Link in bio to share your endorsement.

Stillwater's city government runs on more than one budget — and Monday night, four governing bodies adopted theirs for f...
06/05/2026

Stillwater's city government runs on more than one budget — and Monday night, four governing bodies adopted theirs for fiscal year 2026-27.

The city's general fund totals $67 million. Sales tax is the biggest revenue source at $31.9 million. Police and fire together account for more than $26 million in spending.

But the general fund is just one piece. The Stillwater Utilities Authority manages $80 million in operating revenue. A dedicated Transportation Sales Tax Fund carries $37 million for roads alone.

We broke down all four budgets — city, utilities, economic development, and public works — with charts showing exactly where the money comes from and where it goes.

Go deeper on where your tax dollars are going 👇
https://www.thestillwegian.news/where-your-tax-dollars-go-stillwaters-fy2027-budgets-by-the-numbers/

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Stillwater, OK
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