Joe M. Allbaugh Announces Candidacy for Kay County Commissioner in District 3

Joe M. Allbaugh

Former President George W. Bush chief of staff, Oklahoma Corrections Director re-enters public life.

BLACKWELL, OKLA. – Kay County native Joe M. Allbaugh today announced his intention to run for Kay County commissioner for District 3.

Allbaugh has a lifetime of public and private sector experience, including serving as the gubernatorial and presidential campaign manager and chief of staff to then-Texas governor and former President George W. Bush. He also served under Henry Bellmon, who was a two-term United States Senator and former two-term Oklahoma governor in the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s

Allbaugh said he is running to help make the county a better, safer, more prosperous place for its citizens.

“Rural Oklahoma is my home and I want to do everything in my power to make it the best place for individuals to raise a family,” Allbaugh said. “It should be a requirement for those in office to step up and do what is right for those who depend on them. While maintaining roads and bridges is the top priority for safety in Kay County, the job of a commissioner is also much broader to include economic development, upholding public trust and ensuring the taxpayers are getting the most out of their hard-earned tax dollars.

“Working with state lawmakers is a necessity to improve rural internet access in our community. Assisting law enforcement is a priority in cracking down on illegal marijuana farms and identifying perpetrators of human trafficking to ensure the protection of our most vulnerable population. If I am elected county commissioner, I will work every day in the best interests of the citizens of Kay County, Oklahoma.”

Throughout his long career, Allbaugh has been in charge of the immediate rescue response to numerous international, national, state and local crises. President Bush nominated him as the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which received unanimous support from the United States Senate on February 14, 2001.  Seven months later on September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked New York City, Washington, DC and Shanksville, PA, that shocked the world and changed the United States forever.

In addition to leading the response after the September 11 attacks, as FEMA director, Allbaugh was responsible for coordinating federal disaster relief activities, including the Federal Response Plan, which authorized the response and recovery operations of 28 federal agencies and departments and the American Red Cross.

He also oversaw the U.S. Fire Administration and initiated proactive mitigation activities that reduced loss of life and property from all types of hazards. Allbaugh directed approximately 2,500 federal employees and 4,500 temporary disaster assistance employees.

In other notable roles throughout his career, he became the director at the Oklahoma Department of Corrections in 2016, where he oversaw the day-to-day operations of one of the largest state agencies in Oklahoma. At that time, the corrections system was at 120% of operating capacity and had historic staffing shortages.

Allbaugh led the department to record appropriations increases, improved staffing levels, increased pay for corrections officers and helped to harden infrastructure at some of the state’s oldest, most vulnerable facilities.

Prior to his role as the director at the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Allbaugh was founder, chief executive officer and president of The Allbaugh Company and Allbaugh International Group. Both companies focused on strategic and operational consulting, and especially crisis management for businesses and governmental entities.

Allbaugh received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Oklahoma State University. He is also a member of the National Rifle Association’s board of directors. He currently resides in Blackwell.