Davis to run for Pottawatomie County sheriff

Jay Hoyt Davis is announcing he will run as a Democrat in the race for Pottawatomie County sheriff.
Jay, 53, was born and raised in Shawnee and has lived most of his life in Pottawatomie County. He has family in the Shawnee and Wanette areas.
He attended Acme School and graduated from Shawnee High School in 1972.
As a young man, he grew up on his grandfather’s farm, raising cattle and hay. In 1977, he was certified as a Pottawatomie County reserve deputy in the first reserve force started by the late sheriff Billy Phillips.
On two occasions, he applied at the Shawnee Police Department, but was unable to go to work when called because he was working in the oil fields around the state.
In February 1987, he applied again and went to work as a Shawnee police officer. After almost 16 years of service as a patrol officer, he started having some medical problems.
“I ran out of sick and vacation leave and was left with no option except to take a medical retirement,” he said, and retired at the rank of corporal. “My health is much better now, and I feel the need to try and serve this county as sheriff.”
While working for the Shawnee Police Department, he also was a Tecumseh city marshal for Frontier Days events, he said. 
After retiring, Davis started Honeysuckle Hill Trucking and hauled rock, sand, gravel and asphalt all over the county. Because of high fuel prices and other problems related to trucking, he said he recently sold his truck.
“I am completely committed to being the next sheriff of Pottawatomie County,” he said.
“I have a heart for this county and the people who reside in it. I want the Pottawatomie County sheriff’s office to be the best that it can be,” he said. “My only campaign promise is to do all that politics will let me do.”
Davis is married to Stephannie Joe, who works at Oklahoma Baptist University. They have two daughters still at home — Erryn Suzanne, 13, and Katy Lin, 12, and both attend Dale Schools. Davis also has four older children who do not live at home —James, Jessica, Jeremiah and Stephen. Davis and his family attend Hilltop Baptist Church.
Davis said he has wanted to run for sheriff for quite some time.
“It’s been in my heart for many years to serve this county as sheriff,” Davis said. His dream started at a young age. When he was 10, Davis said he was pedaling his bicycle on a county road and was hit by a car. A trooper on a nearby traffic stop nearby saw the accident and came to help him.
“His care and compassion showed me what I wanted to do for people,” Davis said.
Anyone with questions about Jay or his campaign can call him at 405-275-0191.