Clayton Estus

1. Your campaign website describes a background in heavy equipment and road construction. Walk readers through your work history — your employers, your roles, and how long you have been in that field. Are you currently employed by Payne County District 3?

I have spent more than 14 years working in heavy civil construction, road construction, excavation, infrastructure development, and equipment operations. Throughout my career, I have worked in both the private and public sectors, gaining experience in road building, drainage systems, site development, project coordination, and equipment management.

Most recently, I served as road foreman for Payne County District 3, where I worked directly with road maintenance operations and county infrastructure. That experience gave me a firsthand look at both the strengths and challenges facing our county road system. It also allowed me to see areas where I believed improvements could be made in long-term planning, communication, maintenance priorities, and protecting taxpayer investments.

As road foreman, there were limits to the decisions I could make regarding policy, budgeting, and project priorities. Over time, I realized that if I wanted to help create meaningful change and advocate for a different approach, I would need to seek the office responsible for those decisions. That realization ultimately led me to run for county commissioner.

I am not currently employed by Payne County District 3.

2. You have never held elected office. What is your plan for learning the administrative and budgetary responsibilities of the commissioner role, and who would you lean on for guidance in the early months?

As road foreman, I worked closely with county operations and gained insight into many of the challenges facing District 3. If elected, I would continue learning from experienced county personnel, county clerks, purchasing officials, the county assessor, state associations that provide commissioner training, and fellow commissioners who have successfully managed their districts.

I also believe good leadership is not about pretending to know everything on day one. It is about asking questions, studying the facts, listening to experienced staff, and making decisions that are in the best interest of taxpayers.

My approach would be to combine practical field experience with sound financial oversight, transparency, and a willingness to continuously learn and improve.

3. Based on your experience in road construction and maintenance, what do you believe needs the most improvement in District 3, and how would you address it?

The biggest area for improvement is developing a long-term maintenance strategy that protects the county's existing infrastructure before problems become significantly more expensive to repair.

Roads are not simply asphalt and gravel. They are drainage systems. Water is the No. 1 enemy of any road. Proper ditching, culvert maintenance, road crowning, and drainage management are essential to preserving both paved and unpaved roads.

I believe District 3 should place greater emphasis on preventative maintenance, improving drainage, maintaining road shoulders and ditches, preserving existing asphalt roads, and communicating project priorities clearly to residents.

By focusing on maintenance first and addressing problems before they become major failures, we can better protect taxpayer investments and improve road conditions throughout the district.

4. Oklahoma lawmakers and voters are debating proposals to limit property taxes. What is your position on property tax reform, and how would any changes affect road and bridge funding in District 3?

I understand why many homeowners are concerned about rising property valuations and increasing tax burdens. Any discussion about property tax reform should focus on balancing taxpayer relief with the need to maintain all essential public services.

Property taxes help fund a wide range of services that residents depend on every day, including county roads and bridges, public schools, technology centers, emergency services, and other local government functions. Significant reductions in property tax revenue without a sustainable replacement funding source could create challenges not only for county infrastructure, but also for our educational institutions and community services.

In addition, many state agencies and programs that partner with county governments rely on public funding to provide resources, grants, and technical assistance. When revenue streams are reduced, those partnerships and opportunities can be affected as well.

I support transparency, accountability, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars, but I believe any property tax reform should be carefully evaluated to ensure it does not unintentionally shift financial burdens elsewhere or reduce the services that citizens expect and deserve.

5. Of all the issues facing District 3, which two do you believe matter most to your constituents, and what specifically would you do to address them?

Based on conversations I've had across District 3, the two issues I hear about most often are road conditions and communication from the county commissioner.

Regarding roads, residents want safe, reliable transportation routes and confidence that their tax dollars are being used effectively. My focus would be on preventative maintenance, improved drainage, preserving existing infrastructure, and developing long-term plans that prioritize both safety and fiscal responsibility.

The second issue is communication. Residents want to know what projects are being planned, what work is being performed, and where they can turn when problems arise. If elected, I would work to improve communication through regular updates, greater transparency regarding project priorities, and maintaining an open-door approach with constituents.

County government works best when residents know their concerns are being heard and their elected officials remain accessible and accountable.

Responses have been lightly edited for grammar, spelling, and AP style. Substance and positions have not been altered.