The following are the complete and unedited responses submitted by the candidate listed below to the Amarillo Pioneer’s Candidate Questionnaire.
Eggleston/Photo via campaign
Name: Blair Schaffer
Office Sought: Potter County Commissioner Judge
Party Affiliation: Republican
Age: 61
What is your educational background? Please list any degrees or certificates earned and any institutions attended.
Bachelor of Science - Business Management - Oklahoma Christian College n/k/a Oklahoma Christian University; Juris Doctorate - The University of Oklahoma College of Law
What is your occupation?
Attorney
If you are a business owner, please list the business or businesses that you own. (If this question is not applicable, please note that below.)
Eggleston & Eggleston P.C.
Please list any civic boards or commissions (non-profit, government, union, religious, political, etc.) on which you have served as a board member or equivalent.
Oklahoma Christian University - Board of Trustees
Have you previously held or do you currently hold any elected office? If so, what office(s)?
No
If your campaign has any online campaign resources where voters can learn more about you, such as social media accounts or a website, please list them below.
michelleforpottercountyjudge.com; Facebook - Michelle for Potter County Judge
Why did you decide to run for this office in 2026?
I have lived in Potter County for almost 20 years. I raised my family here, built a law practice with my husband Jeff, and feel this is the right time in my life to step up and serve my friends and neighbors.
Over the years, I have spent a great deal of time in the Potter County Court handling probate and guardianship matters. That work makes up a significant portion of the county judge’s responsibilities, and it has given me a clear understanding of how important consistency and attention to detail are in this role. I believe that experience uniquely qualifies me to serve as county judge.
I am also running because I believe Potter County needs long-term planning and steady leadership. The county has some big challenges to address, and I want to develop a clear plan that addresses those challenges while ensuring the county is prepared for the next ten years.
If elected, what will be your top three priorities in office?
First, I am keeping a close eye on the issue of the county jail. This is one of the biggest challenges facing Potter County right now, and we have to make sure any decision made is responsible, well planned, and in the best interest of both our sheriff’s department and the taxpayers. Public safety matters and must be a high priority, while making smart use of taxpayer dollars.
Second, I believe Potter County needs a clear long-term plan. I will devote significant time to meeting with county officials, department heads, and residents across Potter County to develop a ten-year plan that looks ahead instead of reacting year to year. That plan should guide our decisions on infrastructure, public safety, and future growth.
Third, I am focused on the county budget and making sure every dollar invested by taxpayers is used wisely and delivers real value. That means careful oversight, transparency, and prioritizing core services before taking on new commitments.
What is an issue you believe has gone overlooked in your race and how will you address it if elected?
The most overlooked issue is the lack of a long-term plan. For too long, Potter County has been forced to react to challenges as they arise instead of working from a clear, well-developed roadmap for the future.
I believe a thoughtful long-term plan will change that. It will help us identify challenges before they become crises, prioritize funding, and make more informed decisions about infrastructure, public safety, and revenue. It will also give us a framework to address our shrinking population by attracting new businesses and high-paying jobs to Potter County.
I understand that unforeseen issues will always arise, but having a solid plan in place gives the county a strong foundation. With that foundation, we can respond more effectively, use taxpayer dollars more wisely, and make decisions that benefit Potter County not just today, but for the next ten years and beyond.
Do you have any notable endorsements you would like to highlight for voters? If this question is not applicable, please write N/A.
N/A
Why are you the best candidate for voters to support for this position?
Experience. A significant portion of the Potter County Judge’s responsibilities involve handling probate and guardianship matters, and that is exactly the work I have done in my legal practice for more than 20 years. I have spent decades helping families navigate these issues with fairness, care, and attention to detail, which directly translates to the majority of the responsibilities of this office.
My legal experience has also given me the opportunity to work on both large and small business transactions, review and negotiate contracts, and manage complex decisions that require careful judgment and planning. That background is critical for a position that combines legal responsibility with administrative and budgetary leadership.
Experience matters, and I am the only candidate in this race with decades of direct experience handling the probate, guardianship, and legal matters that make up a significant portion of the county judge’s responsibilities. That experience allows me to step in and serve competently and effectively on day one. I will also lean on my conservative values and long-term beliefs to guide my decision making and ensure Potter County remains a great place to live, work, and raise our families.