Gerald Daugherty (Incumbent)

Experience: Precinct 3 county commissioner for 10 of the past 14 years, member of Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization www.votegerald.com

Why are you running for county commissioner?

As the current county commissioner, I’ve always brought a reasonable and practical approach in delivering county government at a reasonable cost to the citizens of Travis County, which is why I think I’ve been elected three times to the Commissioners Court. I think it’s always better to have diversity of party in all government, and the Commissioners Court has four Democrats and me as the lone Republican.

What are the top issues the county is currently facing?

The county participates heavily in helping craft the regional transportation and mobility plan for the six counties in Central Texas. Being a member of CAMPO enables me to help find decisive and cost-effective ways to deal with our horrendous traffic. … We must find ways to deliver county government as cost-effectively as possible, which means the county cannot set the tax rate beyond what people can afford. The county’s involvement with other issues, [including] mental health treatment, homelessness, jail overcrowding, indigent attorney’s fees [and] court dockets that are swelling ... will take creative measures.

Why should people vote for you?

I know what it takes to do the job; I am honest, hard-working and accessible to constituents; and I’m always eager to work with anyone that truly wants to see county government work for the people’s best interests.

Jason Nassour

Experience: business owner/operator for almost 20 years; represented, litigated and mediated resolutions in business throughout career; has litigated against county government www.jasonnassour.com

Why are you running for county commissioner?

First, because I can, and second because I have the passion and energy to make a difference using the tools and knowledge I have to make Austin better. My experiences here and my love for this county drive my passion and energy to use my knowledge and past experiences to make Travis County more affordable and effectuate the necessities [our] tax dollars are supposed to be allocated toward.

What are the top issues the county is currently facing?

[The top issues include] affordability, infrastructure (traffic); failure to build adequate infrastructure and remediate necessary and existing infrastructure; operating county government and expanding overall expenditures outside of the county budget using borrowed money/without voter approval; and the sheriff’s department and all first responders are lacking in needed equipment, manpower and training.

Why should people vote for you?

I am a businessman. I take a conservative approach to managing a budget. I have almost 20 years of dealing with every aspect of business. I have the knowledge and the tools to operate an effective government within our means without raising taxes or borrowing money needlessly.

**The unopposed Democratic candidate running for Travis County Precinct 3 commissioner is David Holmes.