Smith County Democrats introduce candidates for local, state, federal offices
Published 6:00 pm Friday, February 16, 2024
- About 100 residents filled the pews on Feb. 13 at Liberty Baptist Church, where the Smith County Democrats held a forum introducing candidates for county, state, and federal elected offices ahead of the primary election.
About 100 Smith County residents filled the pews Tuesday at Liberty Baptist Church, where the Smith County Democratic Party held a forum introducing candidates for county, state, and federal elected offices ahead of the March primary election.
The forum also featured candidates for city offices on the May ballot.
District 3 Councilwoman Dr. Shirley McKellar moderated and asked the candidates to introduce themselves, their qualifications and a question.
“So goes East Texas. So goes Texas,” McKellar said. “If you want to win a statewide seat, you need to show up in East Texas.”
County seats
Smith County Constable — Precinct 1
Ralph Caraway Jr., Derrick P. Holman and Willie Mims are running for Smith County Precinct 1 Constable.
Caraway was appointed interim constable on July 8, 2022, and was appointed by the commissioners court Jan. 24, 2023. He highlights his Tyler roots, law enforcement experience, education and licenses.
According to his campaign website, Caraway is restoring integrity and service with experience.
A former deputy of Smith County, Derrick Holman, reminisced about his ten-year tenure at the department and how the late former Pct. 1 Constable Henry Jackson helped him start his career in law enforcement.
Holman has worked under four office constables and said during the forum he believes his experience makes him the best candidate.
Jamie Mims, wife of candidate Willie Mims, spoke on his behalf, introducing him as “The People’s Constable,” citing over 25 years of law enforcement experience under Constable Jackson.
Mims has always built relationships and trust and worked closely with the community, she said. Being Precinct 1 Constable is not a job but a demanding calling that requires dedication and sacrifice.
How will you train and supervise deputy constables to ensure they meet the highest standards if elected?
Holman said ensuring the highest standard includes the most up-to-date training across the board and mental health initiatives for officers.
Caraway stated he always strives to provide the best training to his staff. He added he will continue to do so, ensuring his staff is trained to perform their duties and educated to act effectively.
Mims would implement a comprehensive training and supervision program for deputy constables to ensure their skills and conduct are aligned with the utmost professionalism, including regular training sessions, workshops and seminars.
Smith County Commissioners — Precinct 3
Dave Hansen and Edith Mayfield Wilson are on the Democratic ballot for the Precinct 3 commissioner position.
Wilson has spent her entire career in the public sector and is a long-term resident of Precinct 3.
She mentioned the decisions made by the Smith County Commissioners Court affect individuals, families and communities. As the population grew over her lifetime, she witnessed the community’s needs expand.
Precinct 3, which mainly comprises rural communities, is expanding due to the growth of metropolitan areas and their changing needs.
“My goal is to make sure that those roads and bridges are serviced and the needs of the communities are serviced,” Wilson said. “My goals are not only to listen but to aid in assessing the current and future needs of the rural areas.”
Hansen was not at the forum.
State seats
Texas House of Representatives — District 6
Tyler native Cody Grace said the District 6 Texas state representative should listen to everyone in the room and advocate for their ideas when creating state laws and budgets.
Grace mentioned the people carry the light of democracy and spread it throughout the community to encourage others to vote and let them know they have someone to represent them.
Promoting public education is crucial, he said. It serves as the foundation of the local community. Quality education for the next generation is critical to avoid future issues. Grace emphasized those who engage in the community daily are the ones whose voices matter most.
“I am not the representative. You are the representative,” Grace said. “My door and phone are available because I want to listen to you. I want to hear the issues that bother you the most, your ideas.”
Texas Railroad Commissioner
Bill Burch clarified that despite the title, the position he is running for has nothing to do with railroads. Instead, the agency manages the oil and gas industry.
According to him, this election allows voters to comprehend the corruption and inefficiency within the Texas Railroad Commission.
An experienced drilling engineer, Burch emphasized the importance of electing a Democratic candidate to address the state’s poor environmental management and inefficient oil and gas industry.
“My colleagues and I all agree that the conditions in Texas are unacceptable,” Burch said. “The State of Texas has failed every single Texan.”
Texas faces irreparable environmental damage, expenses, spills, incidents, accidents and fatalities. The election is crucial. Choose to continue the Republican Party’s rule or defend Texas by electing new leadership.
Katherine Culbert, who was not present, is also on the Democratic ballot for railroad commissioner.
Federal seats
U.S. Senate
Meri Gomez grew up in Austin and obtained a degree in accounting. She runs a private tax practice where she advises clients on tax issues. Her work with clients and sensitive information has given her both an appreciation and frustration with the current tax codes.
That’s why Gomez is running for federal office to focus on tax reform.
“America is changing. America’s growing workforce is growing,” Gomez said. “We need to come up with new ways to run together.”
After a career in politics, Uvalde native Roland Gutierrez thought he’d turn in the towel until the horrific events on May 24, 2022, at Robb Elementary School, where 21 people were killed.
“We deserve to live in a state that’s not broken,” Gutierrez said. “We deserve to live in a state that functions.”
Gutierrez proposes an education system that effectively meets Texans’ needs, the implementation of an assault weapons ban, improved reproductive rights, and quality healthcare for all.
Carl Sherman is a community leader who participates in civic organizations, coaches sports leagues, is a religious leader, and is involved in government at the municipal and state levels.
“I’ve been serving all my life; to me, it’s about getting things done. It’s about being effective and remembering that you’re serving the people,” Sherman said.
Sherman prioritizes people over politics, he said. He creates policies and laws that address all individuals’ needs, including those often excluded from decision-making.
Heli Prilliman is a tech entrepreneur, working mother, and gender barrier-breaker from Stephenville with 10 years of experience building startups in Silicon Valley.
Her family has a history of entrepreneurship, education, and activism. Her priorities are universal healthcare, a childcare workforce, and reducing money’s political influence.
“Most people didn’t even know that there was a progressive woman of color who’s from rural Texas,” Prilliman said. “A Tejana entrepreneur. [They] didn’t know that I even existed, but I’m here.”
Thierry Tchenko, born to Cambodian immigrants, saw the struggles of hardworking individuals growing up. At 13, he became the youngest volunteer for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign and has since dedicated his life to public service.
“’Everyday folks are suffering in the state. We’re working harder than ever and falling further behind,” Tchenko said.
Tchenko said he would introduce policies in the U.S. Senate that improve people’s lives, as he has done before as an organizer and nonprofit executive.
As a father of four daughters, Steve Keogh took action and decided to run for Senate when the Supreme Court overturned the right to abortion, reversing Roe v. Wade.
Keogh graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy. He worked in security for various admirals before retiring as a Captain. After retirement, he attended law school, worked as an attorney, and taught law.
His platform includes granting DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), DREAMers full citizenship, gun control, border safety and immigration law reform, healthcare, and micro and macro-level economic focus.
Colin Allred, A. “Robert” Hassan and Mark Gonzalez, who are also on the ballot for U.S. Senator, were not present.
The joint primary elections will be held March 5. Feb. 20 is the first day of early voting. For more information, visit www.smith-county.com/government/departments/elections/current-election-information or tylerpaper.com/elections.
The following candidates are running for offices on the May ballot, but were also present to share their ideas at the forum.
City seats
Tyler City Council — District 2
Tyler native Petra Hawkins said she’s a natural leader and her rapport with the community establishes her as an ideal candidate. The best way to build a connection with the community is to engage with them actively, something she’s been doing since launching her campaign.
Hawkins aims to raise awareness about the areas she said the city has neglected. She’s prioritized revitalizing Tyler’s neighborhoods, addressing safety concerns with condemned and abandoned properties.
Dr. Dexter Floyd, a high school principal, believes his experience and empathy make him the best candidate after meeting with parents from underrepresented groups.
Floyd, an educator and African American man, aims to reach underrepresented groups, specifically those aged 18 to 30, who will run the country in the next five to 20 years.
If elected, he’ll focus on connecting with them and their families and positively impacting them.
Tyler City Council elections are held in May of each year. The election for mayor and council districts 2, 4, and 6 are held on even numbered years. The election for council districts 1, 3, and 5 are held on odd numbered years. The mayor and council members serve two-year terms, with a term limit of three consecutive terms. They are not paid for their service to the citizens of Tyler, according to the city website.
Tuesday, Feb. 20 is the last day to file for a place on the ballot as a write-in candidate for the general election. April 4 is the last day to register to vote in the May city election. April 23 is the last day to apply for a ballot by mail (received, not postmarked). Early voting will begin April 22 and continue through April 30. Saturday, May 4 is election day.
The Tyler Morning Telegraph is writing multiple candidate profile stories set to publish between now and the March 5 primary elections. For more coverage, visit tylerpaper.com/elections.
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