Over the past 50 years that I've been attending Southern Baptist Conventions, I don't think I've ever met a Southern Baptist any more committed to our conservative values than Wiley Drake.

You'd always like to see more people get out and vote. We don't represent ourselves very well when we don't take advantage of our freedom to vote.

I am very honored and appreciate the support from everyone in my precinct. The No. 1 issue I heard on the campaign trail was county roads. There's nothing I can do yet, but as soon as I'm sworn in I plan to meet with the county engineer and others to see what can be done.

I'll try to prepare for the future of Ellis County and the future of my grandchildren. One of my strengths is the ability to listen. That gives me the ability to negotiate the best policy possible.

As commissioner I have the skills to negotiate and the skills to work with and through people and to bring groups together and work for betterment of everyone. Regardless of what you say, if you don't bring all groups to the table, you can't negotiate a compromise. But if everyone is involved a compromise can be reached and everyone is much happier.

My main reason for running is that I've always been interested in local government. It's also something I feel I owe as an obligation back to county.