Republican J. Scott Herod and Democrat Edith Mayfield-Wilson are in the race for Smith County Precinct 3 Commissioner.

Smith County Precinct 3 voters are heading to the polls to decide between two choices for their next commissioner: Republican J. Scott Herod or Democrat Edith Mayfield-Wilson.

The candidates are vying in the Nov. 5 General Election to see who the voters want to see sitting on the Smith County Commissioners Court. Whichever candidate receives the most votes during early voting and on Election Day will be sworn in on Jan. 1, replacing longtime Precinct 3 Republican Commissioner Terry Phillips.

The commissioners court handles the county’s finances and operations, including the annual budget. It comprises a county judge and four commissioners, each representing a precinct.

Precinct 3 is the largest of the four commissioner precincts in Smith County. Its commissioners represent the entire northern half of the county, which includes several small communities such as Lindale and Winona and parts of Overton, Tyler and Hideaway.

The Tyler Morning Telegraph’s voter guide provides information about the candidates’ backgrounds and qualifications. In interviews with the paper, Herod and Mayfield-Wilson discussed each of their plans for the first 90 days in office, if elected.

Herod received 2,968 votes in the primary, or 44.25%, outpacing incumbent Phillips by 827 votes. Phillips garnered 2,141 votes, or 31.92%. Since neither candidate got 50%, a runoff was held, where Herod won nearly 90% of the vote, securing his spot in the November race.

Since the runoff, Herod has been engaging with the community by familiarizing himself with the commissioner role by attending weekly public meetings and participating in local events.

“I intend to do much the same in regards to being out and about in the community, both from the standpoint of as a commissioner and serving as that voice, as that link to the community, to our local government, as well as as a community member,” Herod said.

Herod is involved with organizations like Children’s Village and the East Texas State Fair, where he’s on the board and recently launched its first transportation committee. He says staying connected with the community is important, especially during his campaign. Being out at events has allowed him to meet constituents, shake hands and hear their thoughts, and he intends to keep that up.

He plans to meet with county government employees and elected officials to understand their roles and recognize their achievements. If elected, he aims to be supportive, offering a shoulder for them to share ideas and ensuring he’s available for discussions.

“Many people just don’t recognize what a behemoth our county government is,” Herod said.

There’s a lot to learn, especially regarding the legal limitations and responsibilities of the position. “I want to continue to learn about all the facets of our county government,” he added.

His primary focus will be on the constituents, noting that he lives and works in the area with his family, who also have a stake in the community. Roads and bridges are certainly a significant aspect of county operations, but other factors influence the county commissioners’ ability to address constituents’ needs.

As a commissioner, being available to listen to constituents is a top priority. This approach allows residents to share their needs and concerns openly. While some conversations might lead to answers they don’t want to hear, it’s important to address issues directly.

It’s often better to give a clear “no” than to sidestep the conversation. Plus, providing timelines and options for when those needs can be addressed makes the process more transparent and helps residents feel more informed, Herod says.

For him, the role of county commissioner is all about managing infrastructure to support everything happening in Precinct 3. With this growth comes the need for expanded utilities like electricity, water and sewer services to keep up with the demand.

“We’ve got a lot of rapid growth as you look at Smith County. Precinct 3 is very important to the future of Smith County,” Herod said. “Precinct 3 has gone from being very rural, and it certainly still is, but it’s had a lot of development.”

Precinct 3 is seeing big changes with the construction of a new county road — the first one built from scratch since the 1950s — to support the Tyler Interstate Commerce Park, a 412-acre industrial park that will bring more jobs and businesses to the area.

Lindale is also expanding quickly, adding pressure on local infrastructure. Managing this growth while keeping services running smoothly for both new businesses and residents will be important as the area continues to develop.

“Having a great working relationship is key,” Herod said.

Good communication is essential for collaborating on joint projects with neighboring cities. This kind of teamwork not only makes managing resources more efficient but also helps bring the community closer together.

He intends to communicate with his constituents through an email newsletter to provide a way for residents to sign up and receive updates in plain language. He also plans to maintain an open-door policy, encouraging anyone who wishes to reach out to his office.

In the March Democratic primary, Mayfield-Wilson received 775 votes or 75.17% of the total. Her opponent, Dave Hansen, garnered 256 votes, representing 24.83%.

If elected, in her first 90 days, Mayfield-Wilson would get comfortable in her new role and really understand all the duties that come with it. While roads, bridges, and taxes are important areas to focus on, she’s also eager to get a broader sense of what’s happening in the community.

Once she’s settled in, she plans to visit different areas within Precinct 3 to learn more about what residents need. She’s also looking to educate herself on how to best serve them by understanding the laws and funding options available to help meet those needs.

This way, she can effectively advocate for the community and address their concerns.

“I will lean on the members of the commissioner court,” Mayfield-Wilson said. “Get to know the commissioners’ court procedures and find some type of connection with them so we’re able to work together, and I gain a better understanding totally of what the commissioners do.”

To understand what the community wants, Mayfield-Wilson plans to reach out to various organizations and businesses in different areas. She will find community service organizations and attend their meetings to understand their needs better, she says.

It’s essential for these groups to have a voice and be heard in the decision-making process.

She aims to make herself available and connect with those who represent the community as a whole, ensuring she stays engaged and visible. By engaging with local organizations, Wilson would be able to gather input and feedback from residents to better address their needs and concerns.

On the campaign trail in March, she noticed many areas in need of upkeep and expressed a desire to survey those areas further. She believes it is important to maintain and beautify rural areas.

Her long-term goal is to prioritize the maintenance of roads and bridges. She acknowledged it may sound cliché, but she believes it’s important for community members to drive without encountering potholes. Wilson said residents shouldn’t have to repeatedly call to ensure that streets are being maintained.

Mayfield-Wilson wants people to know she shares the needs and concerns of the community. Having lived in the community all her life, she appreciates the peaceful feeling it offers. Wilson aims to make sure these qualities are recognized while addressing the need for regular upkeep and improvements for everyone in the area.

“My heart will be all the way in it,” she said.

She would learn about funding sources and regulations related to the upkeep of rural areas. She is particularly interested in understanding the types of funding available, any limitations and relevant laws governing maintenance efforts.

Recognizing this will require thorough research, Wilson plans to reach out to individuals who have experience, like those on the commissioners’ court or the road and bridge department, to seek their assistance in locating information and resources. She is committed to finding the information to support the maintenance of rural areas and engaging with those who can help her.

Mayfield-Wilson said ensuring transparency and keeping residents informed is crucial. She acknowledged that while Smith County has an official website, she would like to create or enhance a platform to share information about activities, improvements and ongoing projects.

She envisions a website with a section for residents to express their concerns and ask questions. Wilson believes this would help constituents stay updated on community development and the areas being addressed.

In the final weeks before the election, Mayfield-Wilson plans to boost her visibility in Precinct 3. While she knows many Jackson and Chapel Hill residents, she aims to engage with voters in other areas to understand their needs better and build strong connections.

On Election Day, Nov. 5, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Early voting will take place from Oct. 21 through Nov. 1.

Early voting locations

First Christian Church — Christian Life Center Room 5: 4202 S. Broadway Ave, Tyler

Heritage Building: 1900 Bellwood Road, Tyler

The Hub: 304 E. Ferguson Street, Tyler

Kinzie Community Center: 912 Mt. Sylvan St., Lindale

Noonday Community Center: 16662 CR 196, Tyler

Starrville Church of the Living God: 18396 Highway 271, Winona

Whitehouse Methodist Church: 405 W. Main Street, Whitehouse

Green Acres Baptist Church – Flint Campus: 1010 CR 137, Flint

Early voting hours

Oct. 21-25: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday-Friday)

Oct. 26: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Saturday)

Oct. 27: Noon to 6 p.m. (Sunday)

Oct. 28-Nov. 1: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Monday-Friday)

Deadlines

The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is Oct. 25.

Election Day

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents can vote at any of the 38 polling locations available on Election Day. View all Election Day polling locations at this map: https://tinyurl.com/votinglocationsmapsmithcounty