TYLER, Texas — Terry Phillips has held the Smith County Pct. 3 commissioner seat for 15 years, but he's on his way out after losing the Republican nomination in a runoff election this past May.
Republican candidate J. Scott Herod and Democratic candidate Edith Mayfield-Wilson are campaigning to represent Smith County Precinct 3 next year.
"The key to me is making sure Smith County stays strong and robust," Herod said. "We (Herod and Phillips) are similar in a lot of those fiscal beliefs. So, I want to continue to grow on those and make sure that we're representing responsible spending."
Mayfield-Wilson said she wants to focus on "beautification outside the city limits."
While Herod’s focus is how to spend taxpayer dollars, Mayfield-Wilson is focusing her campaign on the roads in the community to keep promoting the growth in Smith County.
"Some of the roads actually tend to go without any kind of upkeep. And then, of course, you look up and you've got potholes and everything else, and I'm sure there is a standard rule for upkeeping as far as the roads," Wilson said.
Herod said he wants to see that law enforcement has the resources to keep Smith County residents safe.
"I-20 brings a lot of people through. Most of those people are very well-intended, but for those that aren't, we've got to make sure our law enforcement is prepared and taken care of and has the resources needed to take action to protect our landowners, our homeowners," Herod said.
Herod started raising cattle when he was young and felt it was a need for the community to have access to all natural meats. In 2014, he opened up the Cut Beef in Tyler.
"We like to get back as much as possible to our community through nonprofits, charities and schools," Herod said.
Edith is a retired Tyler ISD teacher of 17 years and has seen the growth of Smith County. Both candidates believe in connecting with constituents and focusing on their needs because they have the ability to influence decisions made in local government.
"I want to listen, and I want to be able to focus on the community and their needs, not just in one place, but in all areas," Wilson said.
Herod said he wants to ensure he can make a precinct and a county as a whole, where everyone feels people can thrive in their current situation.
Early voting for the Nov. 5 election starts Monday, Oct. 21.
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