Former Fire Chief Clarence Maly seeks re-election as Garfield County Commissioner
Lifelong Garfield County resident is on ballot in June 16 GOP primary
Former Waukomis Fire Department Chief Clarence “Otie” Maly is seeking the Republican nomination for re-election to the District 3 seat on the Garfield County Commission for a four-year term.
The incumbent Maly, who was elected to the District 3 seat on the Board of Commissioners in 2022, seeks a second term. He seeks the Republican nomination for re-election and faces NeAnne Clinton in the primary election scheduled for June 16.
Maly served more than 30 years as chief of the Waukomis Fire Department. He was born in Bison and moved to Waukomis. He worked in the oil field industry for over four decades, and he had been self-employed as a lease maintenance operator for the past 25 years.
“I believe we have a responsibility to leave District 3 better than we found it for the next generation,” Maly said. “I will continue working every day to keep our county moving in the right direction and ensure a bright future for those who call it home.”
When announcing his campaign this spring, Maly said he wanted District 3 residents to remember a few things about him.
“First and foremost, know that the truth matters,” he said. “I will not campaign negatively, but I will always tell the truth. I am not running against anyone for this office. I am running to ensure that this position continues to have integrity and that the voters are well represented.
“I have done everything within the scope of my job. Anything more would’ve been government overreach and not something for which I had authority. I believe I have served the voters well since I’ve been in office. I am currently serving on 10 boards – city, county, area and statewide – as your County Commissioner. I take this job seriously.”
In a Facebook post from his previous campaign, Maly discussed his record of public service to the Garfield County community and Oklahoma at large. Among the highlights were founding and chairing the Garfield County Public Safety Association, serving as a nationally registered and state-certified EMT for three decades, serving more than 35 years with the Waukomis Fire Department, leading the Critical Stress Management team for 25 years and being CLEET-certified as a part-time and reserve police officer.
The Private Property Rights Institute, whose mission is to combat government infringement on private property rights, has endorsed Maly.
“As an organization dedicated to protecting property owners from the intrusive reach of government, we are proud to endorse Clarence Maly for re-election to the Garfield County Commission,” said Charlie Kolean, president of the PPRI. “He understands he works for the voters first, not the government, and stands for transparency, fiscal responsibility and the rights of private property owners which is the foundation of our free market economy.”
Per the 2025 Handbook for County Commissioners of Oklahoma, the commission’s responsibilities include auditing other county officers’ accounts, receiving and approving major purchase and construction project bids, working with other county officers to prepare the budget and overseeing county road and bridge construction and maintenance. The commission comprises three members who are elected to staggered four-year terms.