On paper, it’s not easy to spot the differences between the two candidates for Cleveland County Clerk.

If fact, it’s downright difficult.

Both candidates are women.

Both are in their 40s — though neither was too thrilled to answer the age question.

Both are natives of the area.

Both are graduates of Noble High School.

Both are mothers.

Both have several years experience working in the clerk’s office.

Both are making their first campaign for the office.

And both are Republicans.

Still, there are some things which separate the two; and it is those differences that Tammy Howard and Kerrie Hudson hope the public will use to decide whom they want for Cleveland County Clerk.

For Howard, that means experience.

A former member of the Slaughterville City Council, Howard, 40, is serving as the incumbent clerk, having been appointed by the Board of Commissioners in 2007. A former employee in the office, Howard began working for the county in June 1981.

“I started out in the real estate department,” she said. “Then I moved over to the UCC/Federal Tax Lien department and ran that for over a year, then I was transferred to purchasing.”

Howard worked in purchasing until 2000, when she was promoted to the department head. It was at that time, she said, the purchasing department was moved under the county budget board.