DUNCAN — Stephens County Commissioners Russell Morgan and Kreg Murphree will begin their next terms on the commission in 2027.
Morgan and Murphree filed for reelection in April, according to the Oklahoma State Election Board. Both men are unopposed in Tuesday’s primary election, so they will retain their seats on the commission.
Southwest Ledger recently interviewed Morgan and Murphree about their decision to seek reelection and their goals for their next terms.
Russell Morgan
Morgan, who represents District 3 on the commission, worked for the county as an equipment operator before he was elected to the commission in a 2018 special election. He replaced former Commissioner Dee Bowen on the board.
Morgan completed the final 10 months of Bowen’s unexpired term, then was elected to his first full term in 2022. He will begin his third term on the commission Jan. 1, 2027.
Being a commissioner is a full-time job for Morgan, he said.
“I try to put in at least as many hours or more than my county hands put in,” he said.
Morgan, who also oversees the Stephens County Fair and Expo Center, said he would like to see the fairgrounds continue to grow during his next term.
“We’ve got some plans for some future expansion there,” he said. “Nothing like the new building we just did. Just kind of moving some stuff around and remodeling some stuff — just getting it in top-notch shape.”
Earlier this month, county officials hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new convention hall and a new outdoor arena at the Expo Center. The project, which was financed by a mix of American Rescue Plan Act dollars and funds from fairgrounds accounts, doubled the size of the older outdoor arena and added the 10,000-square-foot convention hall.
Kreg Murphree
The former owner of Murph’s Guns in Duncan, Murphree is wrapping up his second term on the commission. Since he did not draw an opponent in this year’s election, he will begin his third term in January.
Murphree considered retiring at the end of his second term, but he decided to stay on because he enjoys serving on the commission, he said.
“I like the job and I like the people I work with and work for,” he said. “I feel like I have a lot of support in the community.”
Murphree said he would like to see the county finish some of its current projects during his third term. Those projects include road improvements, the expansion of the Expo Center and the ongoing renovation of the Stephens County Courthouse.