New Comanche County Eastern District commissioner sworn into office Monday

Comanche County’s new Eastern District commissioner was sworn into office Monday.

And, while District 1 Commissioner Trent Logan said this gubernatorial appointment is temporary, he’s definitely interested in having the job on a full-time basis.

Logan took his oaths of office from District Judge Grant Sheperd before the start of Monday’s regular Board of Commissioner’s meeting. He said after the meeting that he will run for the seat if the governor sets a special election. Logan comes into office at the appointment of Gov. Kevin Stitt, who notified county officials and Logan on Friday afternoon that he had filled the office on a temporary basis, meaning Logan will remain in place “until such as time as law allows.” Logan said that neither he nor county or state officials know how long that will be, only that he will serve the role until the governor sets a special election.

State law allows the governor to appoint someone to fill a vacant county commissioner seat, but also specifies the governor has a set amount of time to call a special election to allow voters to select their own replacement. Logan is replacing District 1 Office Manager Ashley Sanders, who in turn was filling in for John O’Brien after he was suspended from office in May following a recommendation by the Oklahoma Attorney General’s multi-grand jury that he be removed from office for oppression, corruption and willful maladministration of office. O’Brien also faces two felony charges and three misdemeanor charges.

Logan said he has been interested in the position for months, and made that interest known to the governor’s office as the governor was considering candidates to appoint commissioner on a temporary basis. Logan said he and other candidates interviewed for the job, and he was notified Friday the job was his. While he doesn’t know how long he will be there, Logan said his goal is to work for the maximum effect for the constituents of District 1.

He doesn’t plan any changes during his temporary tenure, beyond filling two vacant maintenance positions that are badly needed, adding his intent is to “put my best foot forward.” While Logan admits he has some learning to do, he is familiar with some of the county officials he will be working with, adding he has known District 3 Commissioner Josh Powers (who chairs the board of commissioners) for several years.

Logan said he became interested in the job when he looked over the qualifications and tasks and realized that, as a small business owner, he already had filled many of those tasks. A real estate broker with a successful business, he and his wife Jessica also have a flooring business.

“I naturally do this as a business owner,” he said of the tasks assigned to county commissioners.

Logan has lived in Lawton area since 2014, electing to stay in the community when he left the military in 2017.

Logan said he definitely will run for the seat when Stitt sets the special election date, and will run when the current Eastern District term expires in 2026.

“I’m very excited,” he said.