CANDIDATE Q&A
Get to know candidates running in November’s midterm elections
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 75 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. Incumbent Republican Democrat Libertarian R D L
WILLIAMSON COUNTY JUDGE
*CANDIDATE DID NOT ADHERE TO WORD LIMIT. RESPONSES OVER 75 WORDS WERE CUT OFF.
BILL GRAVELL
BLANE CONKLIN
WES BENEDICT
Occupation: political consultant Relevant experience: national executive director of Libertarian Party, Austin City Council candidate, countertop manufactur- ing business owner, mechanical engineering degree UT, MBA University of Michigan 512-659-8896 | www.wesbenedict.com
Occupation: county judge Relevant experience: served last four years as Williamson County judge; one of 24 elected ocials chosen to attend the Texas Association of Counties leadership school in 2016 512-677-7780 | www.billforjudge.com
Occupation: senior business analyst, University of Texas system administration Relevant experience: Ph.D, University of Chicago; senior business analyst, University of Texas system administration; investor, Round Rock Chamber of Commerce; former commis- sioner, Round Rock Historical Preservation Commission www.conklinforcountyjudge.com
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Why are you running for Williamson County Commissioners Court?
Judge Gravell has provided law enforcement with the resources and training they need to keep Williamson County families safe. He will oppose any radical eorts to defund the police. He has lowered property taxes and led the charge to raise the home- stead exemption for seniors in Williamson County. He has led the charge to bring new jobs and new economic opportunity to Williamson County.
The county judge is like the ‘mayor’ of the county. I am running to return honesty, transparency and accountability to the Williamson County judge’s oce. The work of county govern- ment is nonpartisan in nature. It is about things that aect our lives every day: public safety, emergency management, public health and infrastructure. I will bring competent and ethical leadership to represent all the people of Williamson County, not a political party or special interests.
I was a Republican, but was disappointed taxes went up even where Republicans controlled. I’m for reducing tax rates enough so that the check you write for your property taxes gets smaller even when property values go up. As a Libertarian, I want to show that you can be for free markets, low taxes and pro-busi- ness, while also embracing diversity, welcoming immigrants and respecting the individual right to choose alternative lifestyles.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve noticed within Williamson County, and how would you work to address them?
Without question, the biggest challenge facing the county is our rapid growth and development. While our current lead- ership has focused on encouraging and inviting this growth, the question that really needs to be addressed is whether we are prepared for it. The core duties of county government are to provide the public safety services and the infrastructure to handle the increased growth. That is where my focus will be.
Just like in Travis County, here in Williamson our tax bills keep going up. I support free markets and a level playing eld for all businesses. Instead, we’ve seen subsidies and tax cuts for a few lucky corporations while making everybody else pay high- er taxes. We shouldn’t raise your taxes to subsidize new busi- nesses to move here. That’s unfair, plus it crowds our schools and roads. Organic growth, good. Steroidal growth, bad.
The greatest challenge we face is ination and the impact it has on our community. Our [residents] are struggling to make ends meet. When the cost of eggs has increased from $0.82 to $2.82 a dozen, and gas and food prices, rent, utilities, etc. have all seen sharp increases, it impacts our community deeply. The leadership in Washington, D.C., is disconnected with reality in Williamson Coun- ty, Texas. The solution is twofold: Create high-paying, good jobs ...*
POL. ADV. PAID FOR BY GLORIA CONZALEZ-DHOLAKIA
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