When asked how he prioritizes constituent concerns – how he determines what’s an emergency and what’s not – Commissioner Hanning responded, “Everything is an emergency. If it’s important to my constituents, it’s a priority for me.” Here’s what that really mean for a county commissioner.
The condition of the roads and bridges you travel to work, shopping, and school every day is a direct reflection of your county commissioner.
Are the surfaces smooth? When potholes threaten to swallow your vehicle, are your concerns immediately addressed?
Since 2011, Commissioner Hanning has paved, chipped and oiled roadways and built two bridges. To keep you and your family from being swept away in raging flood waters, Hanning has repaired and elevated low-water crossings.
Not a single Wagoner County road had reflective safety striping to keep travel safe and orderly until James Hanning was elected. He made striping a priority in 2011. Now, every time you see a road with white and yellow lines and dashes, think of your commissioner, James Hanning.
Hanning is just as focused on community safety and security as he is on the safety of your roads. That’s why he works hand-in-hand with Wagoner County Emergency Management and the Wagoner County Sheriff and 911 Dispatch, to ensure emergencies are managed efficiently and in the best interest of the public.
From Day One, Hanning proved his mettle as a strong leader under pressure. In Hanning’s first month in office, he worked beside road crews day and night for days on end, until debris from the record-breaking snowstorm was clear for residents.
Hanning also worked with residents to bring the Oak Grove Fire Department to life. Thanks to Hanning’s collaborative nature and willingness to hear his constituents, Wagoner County residents have a professional fire department they can count on.
In the same spirit, Hanning worked with rural water districts to install fire hydrants across District 1 using REAP grant funding.
You can’t run a county without money, so Commissioner Hanning also has the awesome responsibility of stewarding revenues and expenses to keep District 1 in strong financial shape. Under challenging circumstances and shrinking revenues, Hanning is tasked with attracting the right kind of businesses to Wagoner County. Businesses that want to be part of our special community. The more companies that choose to headquarter in Wagoner County, the more revenue they add to the budget, the less property taxes you pay, and the more money the county has to improve safety, security, technology, and quality of life.
In addition to his work as county commissioner, Hanning serves on the Wagoner County Economic Development Authority, which is instrumental in attracting more of the right kind of business.
Hanning proved he’s committed to improving quality of life for residents when he fought beside them to nix a 241-megawatt solar farm near Porter. When you said no to the development, Hanning voted on your behalf.
James Hanning believes it’s unwise to pay for money, and that’s what debt does. Every dollar borrowed costs more money out of taxpayers’ pockets. That’s why, early in Commissioner Hanning’s first term, he paid off four pieces of equipment, which shaved $5,035.68 off the monthly equipment bill. That savings got re-invested into roads.
When voters roundly rejected the eight-proposition sales tax measure in March 2024, Commissioner Hanning fought by their sides to defeat the unpopular package. Recognizing that voters saw the behemoth ask as too much too soon, Hanning put his nose to the grindstone to work within the existing voter-approved budget.
| Roads & Bridges |
| 21 miles of District 1 road paved, chipped, and oiled |
| Two bridges built from the ground up |
| Multiple low-water crossings repaired and elevated |
| Safety striping on county roads — first time countywide since 2011 |
| Online request portal for District 1 road and bridge needs |
| Adams Creek Bridge — repair and rebuild |
| 217th Washout repair completed |
| 41st Street rebuilt between 273rd and 305th |
| Eagle Ridge / 41st Street entrance project |
| Project management portal that tracks every job and dollar |
| Safety & Emergency |
| Helped establish the Oak Grove Fire Department |
| REAP-grant fire hydrants installed across rural District 1 |
| Led record-snowstorm response in his first month — day and night, nearly a week straight |
| Won accolades for the 2025 snowstorm: fast clearing and salting |
| Daily coordination with Wagoner County Sheriff's Office |
| Daily coordination with Wagoner County 911 dispatch |
| Daily coordination with Wagoner County Emergency Management |
| Supported county-wide 800 MHz public-safety communication upgrade |
| Tenure & Service |
| Sworn in January 3, 2011 — fifteen years on the job |
| Chairman of the Board of Wagoner County Commissioners, multiple terms |
| NACo EELU Steering Committee member since 2012 |
| Wagoner County Economic Development Board |
| Fiscal Stewardship |
| Paid off four pieces of county equipment in first 18 months |
| Cut the monthly equipment bill by $5,035.68 |
| Re-invested every dollar of those savings into roads |
| Free Dump Days for residents — twice a year, fully funded |
| New emulsion storage tank — long-term infrastructure investment |
| Office books open to any District 1 resident: every project, every penny |
| Government-debt-free philosophy held since day one |
| Opposed the eight-proposition sales tax when voters said no |
| Listening to District 1 |
| Opposed the 241-megawatt solar farm near Porter at residents' request |
| Helped attract new businesses that reduce the resident tax burden |
| Always-on AI phone line so District 1 callers reach the campaign 24/7 |
