Conservative, small business owner and rancher, J. Scott takes office after winning the Republican primary runoff in May with nearly 90% of the vote, defeating one of Smith County’s longest-serving commissioners, Terry Phillips. (Contributed Photo) 

Small business owner and rancher, J. Scott Herod has filed to run for Smith County Commissioner Precinct 3. Herod, a conservative and near lifelong resident of East Texas, said he hopes to use his “diverse business experience and knowledge of East Texas” to serve Smith County Precinct 3.

“Living and ranching in Precinct 3, I know the needs of my community ranging from land and utilities to its commerce. I welcome the opportunity to serve the great people who live and work in this area. As our county population continues to grow, I want to make sure effective and productive planning as well as conservative governing stays at the forefront of decision making and leadership,” Herod said.

Herod believes his professional experience, Christian faith and family values can contribute to success as a county commissioner.

“Having worked in an array of occupations including sales, corporate banking, business ownership and ranching, I have learned what it takes to understand and work with a diverse range of people. I know how to listen, how to learn, and how to make level-headed decisions. I want to bring a fresh approach to the leadership of Precinct 3,” he said.

If elected, Herod will look forward to serving his community, will support law enforcement and will support and protect all constitutional rights, he said. Herod lives near Chapel Hill where he ranches cattle and owns Cut Beef, selling pasture raised, grain-fed beef to individuals and restaurants across the U.S.

He is a graduate of Chapel Hill High School and Texas A&M University. After graduating from college, Herod worked in outside sales for Guardsmark, Inc., a major provider of security services, with territories from San Antonio to the South Texas Valley before he was recruited and hired by Bank of America. At Bank of America, Herod worked his way from Banking Center Manager to Consumer Market Executive, Sr. Vice President where he directed and provided oversight to operations of all rural banking centers in Texas and Arizona as well as all banking centers in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri. Herod left Bank of America in 2012 to become co-owner of APEC in Tyler before selling his stake to focus on ranching and to launch Cut Beef.

Herod has been married for 22 years to Misty Herod, MD, an obstetrician/gynecologist in Tyler and has three children, twins Landon and Kate and daughter Winnie. They attend Grace Community Church.

Herod is also involved in numerous community boards and organizations.

Herod said he looks forward to meeting and hearing from voters on the campaign trail. For more information about his campaign visit jscottherod.com.

Precinct 3 is the largest of Smith County’s four precincts and covers all or parts of Hideway, Lindale, Red Springs, Winona, Starville, Tyler, Chapel Hill, Arp and Overton. The election for County Commissioner 3 will take place in 2024.