Meet the candidates, familiarize yourself with the Nov. 5 ballot in this Smith County voter guide

Published 10:00 pm Monday, November 4, 2024

On Election Day, Smith County voters can familiarize themselves with the candidates. Local races showcase several familiar faces from the community, and a state race includes candidates with ties to Tyler. Some races, however, may be less recognizable to voters and require more research.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday across Smith County. Here’s a map of all 38 polling locations.

Local races

Smith County Commissioner Court Precinct 3

Smith County Commissioner Court Precinct 3 candidates are Republican J. Scott Herod and Democrat Edith Mayfield-Wilson.

The Smith County Commissioners Court manages county finances and operations, including creating the annual budget. It is made up of a county judge and four commissioners representing each precinct in the county. The court oversees roads and bridges, appoints department heads and committees, and fills vacancies in elective and appointive positions.

Precinct 3 is the largest of the four commissioners’ precincts in Smith County. It covers the entire northern half of the county and includes several small communities such as Lindale, Winona, part of Overton, Tyler and Hideaway.

Herod, a Smith County native and Precinct 3 candidate for county commissioner, believes his corporate finance and business background makes him uniquely qualified for the role. A Texas A&M graduate, he worked at Bank of America and later co-owned the Athlete Performance Enhancement Center in Tyler before opening his ranch and small business, Cut Beef.

He sees the commissioner as an infrastructure leader who ensures all residents benefit from their tax dollars. He values clear communication and will step aside if his skills no longer meet the county’s needs. He has garnered endorsements from Grassroots America — We The People, the Tyler Patrolman’s Association and local officials.

For more information about Herod, visit his official camping website at jscottherod.com.

Mayfield-Wilson, a lifelong resident of Precinct 3, has devoted her career to public service and is committed to continuing that mission. Holding a master’s degree in education and having worked as a respiratory therapist and technology teacher, she understands the growth potential in rural areas. She emphasizes the need for infrastructure development as these communities expand.

Wilson believes in taking action over just talking about it and is passionate about enhancing residents’ quality of life. She aims to advocate for her community’s needs and voice their concerns as a concerned citizen rather than a politician. Active in St. Violet Baptist Church and the Chapel Hill Community Service Organization, she focuses on assessing the needs of rural residents.

Smith County Emergency Service District

Smith County Emergency Services Districts are political subdivisions that provide emergency services like fire suppression and rescue. They are governed by a board of five elected commissioners who serve four-year terms, and all members must reside within the district. Funding comes from property taxes based on appraisals of various properties, including residential and commercial, and sales tax revenue.

District No. 1

Smith County Emergency Services District 1 spans 181 square miles and encompasses five voting districts. Candidates for the Smith County ESD 1 District 4 Commissioner seat are Ken Smith, Chris Bellar and Corey Crowell.

Commissioners, District 4

Smith, a lifelong Lindale resident, is seeking re-election as Commissioner of the Emergency Services District (ESD) No. 1 board, District 4. Born in Garden Valley, Smith graduated from Lindale High School before moving to Dallas for business school and working for 48 years with a surveying and mapping company. He has been married to his high school sweetheart and has a daughter, son, four granddaughters and a great-granddaughter.

After retiring in 2008, Smith became involved with Meals on Wheels, Sabine Cemetery and ESD No. 1. While funding is vital, having adequate personnel is equally important for meeting the district’s needs.

Bellar, a crew chief for special jobs at the Texas Department of Transportation, is running for Commissioner of ESD District 4. Born and raised in Lindale, Bellar served 15 years with the Lindale Fire Department, rising to Assistant Chief before retiring. His father, a former city manager of Lindale, also served in the department, inspiring Bellar and his brother to join.

Due to vascular necrosis in both hips, Bellar can no longer fight fires but wants to support the department. He envisions the department growing with paid staff at each station, backed by volunteers to help when needed. Given the size of ESD 1, Bellar believes volunteers will remain essential, and the board’s role is to ensure the department has the funds to carry out its plans.

Crowell is running for the Smith County Emergency Services District 1 board seat. A battalion chief at a neighboring ESD, Crowell has lived in Lindale for 62 years and served over 46 years with the Lindale Volunteer Fire Department, including nine years as fire chief. His firefighting career began at 16 in 1978, and he was the first Lindale firefighter to earn Texas Commission on Fire Protection certification. Crowell retired in 2015 as a station captain in Longview.

If elected, Crowell plans to secure full-time, certified firefighters on duty around the clock and increase transparency by sharing board decisions and budgets through video and social media. He also aims to use his fire service experience to educate the board and strengthen its fiscal responsibility to Smith County ESD 1 residents.

District No. 2

Smith County Emergency Services District 2 is organized into 11 fire departments for efficient incident response.

Commissioner, District 1

Candidates for the Smith County ESD2 District 1 Commissioners seat are Brent Dominy and Quint Balkcom.

Dominy is seeking re-election as the District 1 Commissioner on the Smith County Emergency Services District 2 Board, where he has served for four years. A Flint resident on Lake Palestine since 2004, Dominy has deep roots in East Texas, having grown up in Cherokee County. With over 35 years of experience in oil and gas engineering and construction, he brings a wealth of knowledge in managing complex projects.

As a commissioner, Dominy represents Smith County residents in emergency services while ensuring fiscal responsibility. His leadership emphasizes accountability and transparency. He is committed to addressing staffing challenges, noting the decline in the volunteer to paid firefighters ratio. Dominy supports a collaborative approach to emergency services, creating opportunities for those interested in volunteering or pursuing firefighting careers.

Balkcom, a retired Major Texas Game Warden, is running for Emergency Services, District Two, Precinct One. With over 21 years of experience, he commanded a 36-county area, overseeing law enforcement and emergency response activities, including drownings and criminal investigations. Balkcom has worked at every level within the Texas Parks and Wildlife uniform division, gaining experience in diverse regions such as North Texas and the Panhandle.

His top three priorities include, building relationships with board members and stakeholders, making informed and honest budget decisions and bridging the divide between volunteer and full-time personnel.

Balkcom emphasizes the need for collaboration and transparency, believing effective communication and mutual respect are vital for delivering quality services to the community. He aims to foster a united front in emergency services for the benefit of all East Texans.

Commissioners, District 4

Candidates for Smith County ESD 1 District 4 are Johnny Brown and Robert Templin.

Brown is the current president of the board for Emergency Services District 2 (ESD 2). He was elected as a commissioner in 2020 after defeating incumbent Randy Melton. Brown is well-equipped for his position, having 47 years of experience as a volunteer firefighter, 32 years with East Texas Medical Center EMS, and 39 years as a certified peace officer in various roles across Smith County.

Motivated to serve his community, Brown started as a volunteer firefighter in high school. He aims to grow the district while responsibly managing resources and providing cost-effective services without increasing residents’ tax burdens. Brown describes his leadership style as open and approachable, maintaining an open-door policy to encourage communication. He leads by example, respecting team members’ autonomy while offering guidance based on his extensive experience.

Templin, owner of C&R Service and Repair, is running for the Smith County Emergency Service District No. 2 Commissioner, District 4 seat. Templin is a Whitehouse resident who wants to serve the community as he approaches retirement. His father, a long-time police officer in Shreveport, inspired his passion for public service.

Templin’s commitment to emergency services deepened following a personal experience in 1976 when his family’s home burned down in Panola County, highlighting the critical need for timely responses. He emphasizes fiscal responsibility and aims to keep tax rates manageable while ensuring emergency services are fully staffed and trained. Eager to learn and address community needs, Templin is dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of local emergency services.

State races

Texas House District 6

Texas House District 6 candidates are Republican Daniel Alders and Democrat Cody Grace.

The Texas House of Representatives has 150 members, each elected for two-year terms.

Together with the state senate, they comprise the Texas Legislature, responsible for considering proposed laws, suggesting constitutional amendments for voter approval, and appropriating funds for state government operations.

District 6 encompasses 81% of Smith County, 100% of the cities of Arp, Emerald Bay, New Chapel Hill, Noonday, Tyler and Whitehouse and a majority of Bullard and Troup. Rep. Matt Schaefer held the position for 12 years but announced he would not run for reelection.

Alders has deep roots in East Texas, tracing his family’s arrival back to 1836. Born in Dallas, he earned a bachelor’s degree from New Saint Andrews College in 2009 and began his career in real estate, prioritizing faith, family, and community. His political engagement expanded as the East Texas Regional Director for Senator Ted Cruz, where he served as a liaison for constituents. In 2017, Alders joined the Drake Real Estate team, focusing on local issues.

With Rep. Schaefer’s decision not to seek reelection, Alders saw an opportunity to serve his community further. His priorities include securing the Southern border, empowering Texas parents, and reforming property tax. As a seventh-generation East Texan, he is committed to keeping the region a great place to live and raise a family.

Alders has served as Chairman of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce’s Governmental Affairs Committee and as a Fifth Street Presbyterian Church deacon. He has received endorsements from U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, former Congressman Louie Gohmert, and grassroots organizations like We The People.

For more information about Alders, visit his official campaign website at danielalders.com.

Grace is a single father and business owner who says he is dedicated to hard work for the benefit of the community. His political engagement was ignited by the tragic 2011 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, which profoundly impacted him as a parent. Frustrated by the lack of meaningful action on gun violence, he believes Tyler is underrepresented in the Texas legislature.

With an associate degree from Tyler Junior College and over 20 years in the technology services industry, Grace actively supports local success through the Chamber of Commerce and various volunteer efforts. He advocates for increased funding for public schools, healthcare protection, and crime reduction, emphasizing the need for empathy and innovative thinking in leadership.

Recognizing the challenges of raising a child within the public education system while managing a career, Grace supports small business growth and infrastructure stability. His commitment to community advocacy is underscored by endorsements from organizations like Moms Demand Action, 314 PAC, and Mothers for Democracy, affirming his dedication regardless of the race’s outcome.

For more information about Grace, visit his official campaign website at gracefortexas.com.

Texas Railroad Commissioner

The Railroad Commission of Texas regulates the oil and natural gas industry, pipeline transporters, natural gas utilities, and surface mining operations for coal and uranium.

Four candidates are running for Texas Railroad Commissioner, a position elected statewide to serve six-year, staggered terms. One Commissioner’s position appears on the ballot every two years, allowing voters to regularly participate in the electoral process.

Candidates include Republican Christi Craddick, Democratic candidate Katherine Culbert, Green Party candidate Eddie Espinoza and Libertarian candidate Lynn “Hawk” Dunlap.

Craddick, a Midland native, is the incumbent candidate for the Railroad Commission. She joined in November 2012 and focuses on regulating the energy industry while protecting natural resources and fostering economic growth, reinforcing Texas’ role in global energy production.

Craddick is actively involved in her community through organizations like the State Bar of Texas and the Dell Children’s Medical Center Foundation. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree as a Plan II graduate and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas at Austin. Craddick lives in Austin with her daughter, Catherine, and is a St. John Neumann Catholic Church member.

For more information about Craddick, visit her official campaign website at christicraddick.com.

Culbert is a process safety engineer from Houston with over 20 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. She advocates for new leadership at the Texas Railroad Commission, emphasizing safety, environmental protection, and corporate accountability, particularly concerning orphan well management.

Culbert highlights the importance of transparency in the Commission’s decision-making processes, ensuring that actions taken prioritize the well-being of Texans rather than corporate interests. Her focus on these issues reflects her commitment to fostering a safer and more accountable energy sector in Texas.

For more information about Culbert, visit her official campaign website at katherine4texas.com.

Espinoza is committed to transitioning Texas to renewable energy, addressing pollution from fossil fuel extraction, and protecting freshwater resources. His platform includes capping orphaned wells, banning fracking, and holding fossil fuel corporations accountable.

Espinoza advocates hiring more inspectors to enhance oversight, changing the Commission’s name to reflect its role, and implementing campaign finance reform. He emphasizes the importance of transparency and public participation in decision-making, prioritizing the interests of Texas residents over corporate influence. His action plan aims to create a just transition for workers in the fossil fuel industry while providing affordable, sustainable energy for Texans.

For more information about Espinoza, visit his official campaign website at espinoza4tx.com.

Dunlap brings 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, specializing in drilling, well control, blowout recovery, and risk management, both onshore and offshore. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from Stephen F. Austin State University and senior positions overseeing global operations in leading companies.

Dunlap’s professional background includes managing high-stakes projects worldwide, including blowouts and fires, while implementing well-control policies. His candidacy focuses on improving well-plugging practices to prevent groundwater contamination and effectively managing orphaned wells, aiming to enhance accountability and operational integrity at the Texas Railroad Commission.

For more information about Dunlap, visit his official campaign website at hawk4texas.com.

Supreme Court of Texas

The Supreme Court of Texas, based in Austin, is the state’s highest court for civil matters. It consists of a chief justice and eight justices elected to staggered six-year terms. The Court manages the State Bar of Texas, oversees attorney licensing and establishes important procedural rules, including the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and the Texas Rules of Evidence.

Three Supreme Court Justice positions—Place 2, Place 4 and Place 6—are up for election in Texas. Each incumbent faces challengers in these races.

Justice Supreme Court Place 2

Republican incumbent Judge Jimmy Blacklock and Democratic candidate Judge DaSean Jones are running for Place 2.

Blacklock, a sixth-generation Texan with family roots in the 1840s, has a strong educational and legal background. Born in Houston and raised in Missouri City, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and Yale Law School. After clerking for Judge Jerry Smith of the Fifth Circuit, Blacklock represented Texas on various legal matters, focusing on constitutional liberties.

Governor Greg Abbott appointed Blacklock to the Texas Supreme Court on Jan. 2, 2018, and he was later elected to a six-year term. Blacklock has authored over 100 opinions as a justice, emphasizing fair and consistent application of the law. He lives in Austin with his wife and three daughters and is actively involved in Tarrytown Christian Church, where he serves as a Deacon.

For more information about Blacklock, visit his official website at jimmyblacklock.com.

Jones is a Texas district court judge and combat veteran with over 22 years of military service. He currently serves as an Army Reserve officer. He is the first combat veteran and minority to preside over the 180th Criminal District Court.

Judge Jones is dedicated to fairness and impartiality. He applies the law as written while emphasizing the importance of diversity within the judiciary to ensure equitable treatment for all. Inspired by his family’s military background, he pursued a law degree after serving in Iraq, and his visits to sites of historical injustice have shaped his perspective on the necessity of fairness in the legal system. Outside of his professional life, he values his roles as a husband and father of two.

For more information about Jones, visit his official campaign website at daseanfortexas.com.

Justice Supreme Court Place 4

Candidates for Place 4 include Republican incumbent Justice John Devine, Democrat Judge Christine Vinh Weems and Libertarian Matthew Sercely.

Devine has been a Supreme Court of Texas member since November 2012. Before his appointment, he served as a judge on the 190th State District Court for seven years and as a special judge for Harris County Justice of the Peace Courts for nine years.

Originally from Indiana, Devine graduated from Ball State University and earned his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law. Before his judicial career, he worked at Shell Oil Co. After being elected to the district court in 1995, he presided over nearly 350 jury trials and significantly reduced case backlogs. Since 2002, Justice Devine has maintained a private litigation practice and held various judicial roles, including serving as a special judge in Harris County.

For more information about Devine, visit his official campaign website at justicedevinetx.com.

Weems a double board-certified attorney, was elected in 2018 as the sixth judge of the 281st Civil Judicial District Court in Harris County. With a robust background that includes presiding over 80 jury trials, she is dedicated to promoting justice and equity.

As the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, Weems graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and South Texas College of Law. She is involved in legal education and advocacy, coaching mock trial teams. Additionally, Weems has made her mark in Houston’s theater scene, co-founding Cone Man Running Productions and earning recognition for her contributions to the legal community and public service. She resides in Northwest Houston with her husband, Michael, and their three sons.

For more information about Weems, visit her official campaign website at weemsforjudge.com.

Sercely is a Dallas-based attorney with a diverse professional background. He earned his Juris Doctor from Ave Maria School of Law between 2006 and 2009 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from the University of Dallas in 2006.

Since 2023, he has worked at Frenkel & Frenkel, bringing experience as a real estate investor with MD DS Holdings since 2015. Before his current position, Sercely was a Senior Litigation Associate at Thompson Law Injury Lawyers from 2021 to 2023 and at R.E. Lopez & Associates, P.C. from 2017 to 2021. He also gained experience as an Internet Marketing Advisor for Elegant Internet Marketing from 2015 to 2020, further broadening his professional expertise.

Justice Supreme Court Place 6

Candidates for Place 6 are Republican incumbent Justice Jane Bland, Democratic candidate Bonnie Lee Goldstein and Libertarian candidate David Roberson.

Bland has been a Supreme Court of Texas member since 2019, winning her election in 2020 with an unprecedented six million votes—the highest for any Texas candidate. With over 25 years of judicial experience, she is board-certified in Civil Trial and Appellate Law. As chair of the Judicial Commission on Mental Health, she actively addresses critical issues within the judicial system. She also serves as the liaison to the Texas Supreme Court Historical Society.

A distinguished graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Justice Bland clerked for Judge Thomas Gibbs Gee on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Her judicial excellence has been recognized with several accolades, including the William H. Rehnquist Award for judicial excellence from Chief Justice John Roberts in 2010. The Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists has named her judge of the year four times. Justice Bland resides in Houston with her husband, Doug, and their two grown children.

For more information on Bland, visit her official campaign website at justicejanebland.com.

Goldstein currently serves on the 5th District Court of Appeals, Place 3, in Dallas, the largest appellate court in Texas. The court oversees six North Texas counties, including Dallas, Collin, and Rockwall. Elected to the appellate court in 2020, she presided over the 44th Civil District Court in Dallas County, having been elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018.

With over 30 years of combined legal and judicial experience, Justice Goldstein earned her law degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Her diverse legal background encompasses construction litigation, education law, contracts, and government service. Additionally, she has held positions as a municipal judge for several North Texas cities, including Cockrell Hill, Royse City, and Dallas. Justice Goldstein is committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring equitable justice for all citizens in her district.

For more information about Goldstein, visit her official campaign website at justicegoldstein.com.

Roberson brings nearly 14 years of experience in complex civil litigation and business tax law advisory, working with clients ranging from individuals to Fortune 50 companies. His extensive legal background equips him with the skills to navigate intricate legal matters effectively.

He emphasizes the importance of judicial ethics, advocating for public disclosure of campaign donations as a safeguard to uphold ethical behavior in judicial elections. He also seeks to improve access to justice by addressing the underfunding of public defender offices in Texas and supporting legislative initiatives for better courthouse access and representation.

Highlighting key issues likely to come before the Texas Supreme Court, Roberson points to ongoing litigation surrounding abortion restrictions and constructing the I-35 corridor through Austin. His candidacy is rooted in a commitment to equitable justice and adherence to the law.

For more information on Roberson, visit his official campaign website at roberson4texas.com.

Court of Criminal Appeals

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest in the state for criminal cases. It comprises a Presiding Judge and eight other Judges, all of whom are elected statewide and serve six-year terms. The Court is based in Austin, near the Capitol, but may occasionally hold sessions in other cities to hear cases.

Presiding Judge

Republican David J. Schenck and Democratic candidate Holly Taylor are running for to be Presiding Judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals.

Schenck has a distinguished legal career spanning over three decades. Schenck, a graduate of Baylor Law School, is recognized for his integrity and independence. He served as Chairman of the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct and was appointed to the Fifth District Court of Appeals by Governor Rick Perry in 2015, securing a full term in 2016. His commitment to opposing cronyism and dedication to pro bono legal service earned him the State Bar’s highest award.

Before his judicial tenure, Schenck was Deputy Attorney General for Legal Counsel under Attorney General Greg Abbott, where he defended Texas’ redistricting plans. He has a rich background in private practice, has taught law as an adjunct professor, and holds an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell. Schenck is board-certified in appellate law and has consistently been recognized on various “best” and “Super Lawyer” lists. He is an active Highland Park Methodist Church member and the father of two children attending Dallas public schools.

For more information on Schenck, visit his official campaign website at schenckfortexas.com.

Taylor serves as the Director of the Public Integrity and Complex Crimes Division at the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, where she oversees critical units, including the Public Integrity Unit and the White Collar Crime Unit. Her extensive legal career includes serving as the Assistant Director for Post-Conviction Matters in the Civil Rights Division and various roles as a staff attorney and Rules Attorney for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

Taylor earned her Bachelor of Arts from Rice University and holds two graduate degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, including a Juris Doctor. She is Board Certified in Criminal Appellate Law and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. Actively involved in legal education, she co-chairs the Austin Bar Association’s Continuing Legal Education Committee and has authored articles addressing pressing criminal justice issues. Outside her professional commitments, Taylor and her husband, John, a fellow musician, enjoy live music and have raised four children, including hosting three foreign exchange students.

For more information on Taylor, visit her official campaign website at hollytforjudge.com.

Court of Criminal Appeals Place 7

Candidate running for Place 7 on the Court of Criminal Appeals include Republican candidate Gina Parker and Democratic candidate Judge Nancy Mulder.

Parker, a Waco native, brings over 30 years of legal experience to her campaign for judge in the 2024 Republican primary. Raised in a politically active family, she earned both her undergraduate and law degrees from Baylor University. Throughout her career, Parker has held various positions, including City Attorney, Assistant County Attorney, and Assistant District Attorney, which provided her with extensive expertise in criminal law.

She also served as a commissioner and Chairman of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for over eight years. In 2001, Parker founded Dental Creations, Ltd., a dental manufacturing company offering second-chance employment opportunities. As she seeks the judicial position, Parker emphasizes her commitment to upholding the Constitution, preserving the rule of law, and ensuring justice for victims within Texas communities. Her diverse background and dedication to service make her a formidable candidate in the upcoming election.

For more information on Parker, visit her official campaign website at ginaparkercampaign.com.

Mulder presides over Texas Criminal District Court 6 in Dallas County and is running for Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Place 7 in the 2024 election. With over a decade of judicial experience, she was first elected to Dallas County Criminal Court 4 in 2014 and has also served as the Presiding Judge of the Criminal Courts and County Courts of Criminal Appeals.

In addition to her judicial duties, Judge Mulder co-chairs the Step-Up Jail Pretrial Release Program and chairs the City of Dallas Cite & Release program, which addresses misdemeanor marijuana possession. She is actively involved in several boards focused on criminal justice reform and youth rehabilitation. Fluent in Spanish, she conducts pleas in Spanish during open court sessions. Before her judicial career, Judge Mulder practiced criminal defense and worked as an Assistant District Attorney for Dallas County. She earned her law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law.

For more information on Mulder, visit her official campaign website, judgemulder.com.

Court of Criminal Appeals Place 8

Candidates running for Place 8 in the Court of Criminal Appeals include Republican candidate Lee Finley and Democratic candidate Chikas Anyiam.

Finley is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, having served from 1990 to 1994. He holds degrees from Tarrant County College and the University of Texas, including law. Finley is a managing partner at Finley & Associates PC, bringing over 20 years of experience in criminal law. Endorsed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, he identifies as a conservative, pro-life, and pro-Second Amendment advocate. Finley emphasizes the importance of consistency and integrity in public office, reflecting his commitment to limiting government overreach.

For more information about Finley, visit his official campaign website at finleyforjudge.com.

Anyiam has over two decades of experience in criminal law and currently presides over Texas Criminal District Court #7. Committed to fairness and justice, Judge Anyiam emphasizes the importance of maintaining a courtroom focused on upholding the law. She advocates for reforms in Dallas County, including alternative sentencing, bail reform for low-risk offenders, and rehabilitation programs for individuals with substance use issues and mental health challenges. Her dedication to public service and legal integrity highlights her vision for a more equitable justice system.

For more information about Anyiam, visit her official campaign website at judgechikaanyiam.com.

Federal races

President

Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris are running for president.

Trump, the 45th U.S. president, announced his bid for the 2024 presidential election on November 15, 2022. He secured the Republican nomination on July 15, 2023, selecting U.S. Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) as his running mate.

Trump first won the presidency in 2016, defeating Hillary Clinton with 304 electoral votes, but lost to Joe Biden in 2020, garnering 232 electoral votes. His 2024 campaign emphasizes a return to his “America First” agenda, contrasting it with President Biden’s policies.

Key achievements during his first term included withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, enacting tax reforms, diminishing ISIS’s presence, establishing the Space Force and appointing over 200 federal judges, including three Supreme Court justices.

For more information on Trump, visit her official campaign website, donaldjtrump.com.

Harris is the 49th vice president of the United States, having announced her 2024 presidential campaign on July 21, following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal. She secured the Democratic nomination on August 2 and selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.

Harris’s campaign prioritizes reducing child poverty, supporting labor unions, ensuring affordable healthcare, advocating for paid family leave, promoting voting reforms, and implementing gun control measures. As vice president, she has focused on voting reforms, immigration policy, and abortion access, and chaired the White House Task Forces on Worker Empowerment and Online Harassment. Previously, Harris served as a U.S. senator, California attorney general, and San Francisco district attorney.

For more information on Harris, visit her official campaign website, kamalaharris.com.

Vice President

Republican candidate J.D. Vance is running mate with Trump and Democratic candidate Tim Walz is running mate with Harris.

Vance is a U.S. senator from Ohio, serving since January 2023. On July 15, Trump announced Vance as his running mate for the upcoming presidential election. A Marine Corps veteran and venture capitalist, Vance is the youngest major party vice presidential nominee since 1952.

He gained national recognition with his 2016 memoir Hillbilly Elegy, which was later adapted into a film. Entering politics in 2021, Vance secured Ohio’s U.S. Senate seat in 2022. As a senator, he has focused on immigration, manufacturing, and technology regulation while opposing abortion and advocating for states to make decisions on the issue.

Walz is the governor of Minnesota, having taken office on Jan. 7, 2019. He is currently serving his second term, which runs until 2027. On Aug. 6, 2024, Walz was selected as Kamala Harris’s vice presidential running mate.

Before his governorship, he represented Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District in Congress from 2007 to 2019. His diverse background includes military service in the Army National Guard and experience as a high school teacher. Throughout his legislative career, Walz has focused on veterans’ issues and government transparency. As governor, he has signed significant legislation on abortion rights, gun control, and recreational marijuana.

U.S. Senator

Republican Sen. Ted Cruz is running against Democratic candidate Colin Allred and Libertarian candidate Ted Brown for U.S. Senator.

Cruz prioritizes limited government, national security and economic growth. He has authored over 90 legislative measures, including expanding 529 college savings accounts, repealing Obamacare’s individual mandate, and sanctions against North Korea. Cruz also focuses on border security and U.S.-China relations.

In addition to his legislative work, he co-hosts the podcast Verdict with Ted Cruz and has written four New York Times Bestsellers. A Princeton University and Harvard Law School graduate, Cruz previously served as Texas’s solicitor general. Re-elected in November 2018, he sits on four committees, including the Foreign Relations and Judiciary Committees.

For more information on Cruz, visit his official campaign website, tedcruz.org.

Allred, a fourth-generation Texan, grew up in Dallas with a single mother who was a public school teacher. He received a football scholarship to Baylor University, where he graduated with a degree in history. After a brief career in the NFL ended due to injury, he pursued a law degree, focusing on civil rights, particularly voting rights and housing equity.

Elected to Congress in Texas’ 32nd District in 2018, Allred has worked across party lines on initiatives, including establishing a new VA hospital in Garland and securing infrastructure investments. He advocates for healthcare protections, women’s reproductive rights, and veterans’ care. As the first member of Congress to take paternity leave, he also supports paid family leave. Allred resides in Dallas with his wife, Aly, and their two sons, Jordan and Cameron.

For more information on Allred, visit his official campaign website, colinallred.com.

Brown was born in 1960 in Steubenville, Ohio, and later moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he worked in his family’s Ethan Allen furniture store. He attended Wesleyan University for a year before graduating from UCLA in 1984 with a degree in political science, specializing in Constitutional Law. Brown is now a self-employed independent insurance adjuster, focusing on auto, property, and general liability cases.

Married to his wife, Laura, since 1984, the couple lived in Southern California before relocating to Wells Branch, Texas. They have one adult daughter, Katie, who is a fundraiser for a major university hospital. A Libertarian Party member since 1979, Brown has held various leadership roles, including Chairman of the Libertarian Party of Travis County and Candidate Coordinator for the Libertarian Party of Texas.

For more information on Brown, visit his official campaign website tedbrown.org.

For a publication sample ballot, see Page 11-12A in the Oct. 23 e-Edition of the Tyler Morning Telegraph, visit smith-county.com or go to https://tinyurl.com/smithsampleballots. Many races are uncontested but will still appear on the ballot.

ONLINE

For a publication sample ballot, see Page 11-12A in the Oct. 23 e-Edition of the Tyler Morning Telegraph, visit smith-county.com or go to https://tinyurl.com/smithsampleballots. Many races are uncontested but will still appear on the ballot.