ADA, Okla (KXII) Ada fire captain Danny Manuel says he's been in Pontotoc County his entire life, and for most of that time he's served his community.

"I've never lived worked, gone to school or gone to church father than 8 miles from where I was born," Manuel said.

Manuel graduated from ECU with a degree in education, and he's worked for the Ada fire department for 20 years.

He's also has served on the board of the Ada Chamber of Commerce.

As he nears retirement Manuel says he wants to continue serving, which is why he's running for the District 25 seat in the Oklahoma House next year.

"As a public servant it's really given me a broad perspective and it's honestly given me the desire to want to serve more and this is just going to be a different way of serving," Danny Manuel said.

Current state representative Todd Thomsen is term limited, so the seat's up for grabs.

And a few community members say they think Manuel is good for the job.

"He knows where a lot of the problem areas are and he sees the whole community primarily through his job with the fire department," Robert Greenstreet said,"they go where ever things need to be done, so he sees every part of the town."

"He is one of the few candidates that we have that comes with a broad background and a good in depth understanding of what it takes to make a state great," Billie Floyd said.

Manuel says some of the most important issues to him are funding for public education and improving the department of human services.

He says he wants kids of all backgrounds to have equal opportunities in Pontotoc County.

"I know that providing them a good quality education is just critical for giving them an opportunity to achieve and succeed,"Manuel said.

Manuel says if elected his top priority will be restoring funding for education.

Primary voting begins in June.

"I know what is means to come together for the good of a community and the good of our citizens," Manuel said.