Early voting for the Nov. 8 election runs from Oct. 24-Nov. 4.
Read Q&As with each candidate below. Candidates were asked to keep responses under 75 words, answer the question provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
*Incumbent
**Candidate did not adhere to the word limit. Responses over 75 words were cut off.
Bill Gravell* (R)
Experience:
served last four years as Williamson County judge; one of 24 elected officials chosen to attend the Texas Association of Counties leadership school in 2016
Occupation:
county judge
Candidate Website:
http://www.billforjudge.com
Contact Information:
512-677-7780
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 efforts to defund the police. He has lowered property taxes and led the charge to raise the homestead exemption for seniors in Williamson County. He has led the charge to bring new jobs and new economic opportunity to Williamson County.
If elected, what are your goals for Williamson County?
Judge Gravell will continue [to] lower property taxes. In Williamson County, we have increased property tax exemptions, providing tax relief to all residential homesteads in the county. Property tax exemptions for persons [age] 65 and older increased from $30,000 to $125,000. Property tax exemption for disabled persons increased from $20,000 to $125,000. Finally, we will fight to keep our community safe.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have noticed within Williamson County, and how would you work to address them?
The greatest challenge we face is inflation 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 County, Texas. The solution is twofold: Create high-paying, good jobs ...**
Blane Conklin (D)
Experience:
Ph.D., University of Chicago; senior business analyst, The University of Texas system administration; investor, Round Rock Chamber of Commerce; former commissioner, Round Rock Historical Preservation Commission
Occupation:
senior business analyst, The University of Texas system administration
Candidate Website:
https://www.conklinforcountyjudge.com
Why are you running for Williamson County Commissioners Court?
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 office. The work of county government is nonpartisan in nature. It is about things that affect 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.
If elected, what are your goals for Williamson County?
1. We must properly fund our first responders in every budget cycle, not just play catch up in an election year. We need to pay our public safety professionals competitively. 2. Increase the mental health resources available in our county. 3. Water is our most precious resource. Drought and growth are inescapable realities of our future. Our county needs a unified plan and leadership on this critical issue.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have 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 leadership 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.
Wes Benedict (L)
Experience:
national executive director of Libertarian Party, Austin City Council candidate, countertop manufacturing business owner, mechanical engineering degree UT, MBA University of Michigan
Occupation:
political consultant
Candidate Website:
https://www.wesbenedict.com
Contact Information:
512-659-8896
Why are you running for Williamson County Commissioners Court?
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-business, while also embracing diversity, welcoming immigrants and respecting the individual right to choose alternative lifestyles.
If elected, what are your goals for Williamson County?
Most of the Williamson County budget pays for the criminal justice system, including sheriff’s deputy salaries, courts and jails. The WilCo budget allocates $191 million to judicial and public safety but only $47 million to the roads and bridges fund. Let’s stop wasting resources going after peaceful marijuana users and instead focus on violent crimes and theft, leaving more for transportation or tax cuts.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have noticed within Williamson County, and how would you work to address them?
Just like in Travis County, here in Williamson [County] our tax bills keep going up. I support free markets and a level playing field for all businesses. Instead, we’ve seen subsidies and tax cuts for a few lucky corporations while making everybody else pay higher taxes. We shouldn’t raise your taxes to subsidize new businesses to move here. That’s unfair, plus it crowds our schools and roads. Organic growth, good. Steroidal growth, bad.
