Incumbent Steve Radack will face Democratic candidate Glorice McPherson for the Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner seat in the Nov. 6 election. McPherson took the nomination over opponent A. Robert Hassan by a 13-percent margin with 4,653 votes in May, while Radack ran unopposed in the Republican primary and received nearly 40,000 votes.
In addition to his more than 20 years as county commissioner, Steve Radack served 11 years with the Houston Police Department, followed by a term as Harris County Precinct 5 Constable. He was elected as Precinct 3 County Commissioner in 1988 and has since won five consecutive elections. During his second term, Radack created the Harris County Environmental Enforcement Division, a unit within the Precinct that fights against illegal dumping and environmental crimes.
Democratic candidate Glorice McPherson has more than 35 years of experience as a business owner. She has worked in public service since she helped establish a youth department at her grandfather's church when she was 13 years old. McPherson has experience working with politicians, entertainers and entrepreneurs. She is the former owner of Arrow Networks, a promotion, production and marketing company She currently owns Glorice Headquarters and specializes in broadcast promotions.
McPherson has worked with business community nonprofits and several former companies as a public relationships manager.
Glorice McPherson, D
Why are you running for county commissioner?
I want to be able to make a difference in the community in which I live. I want people to be aware of what's going on in our community and how the county commissioner position can affect their lives. [I want] to be sensitive to the needs of the people. I've been there, so I understand the highs and lows of trying to function from day to day. I've had to work hard for what I've achieved. I have a lot of passion, experience and zeal.
If elected, what would your main priorities be throughout your term?
My No. 1 priority is family structure. Another priority is organization strategy. I want to make it easier for people to work with us—to work one-on-one with people in the community and with the community as a whole. I want to be able to enhance what's already been going on within our community. I'd like to try and place people throughout the community to make the [precinct] more accessible.
What are some of the challenges facing Precinct 3?
We want to bridge the gap between the community and the local government. The precinct needs to be more diverse. Our community is changing and our environment is changing. You have to adapt to the change. These are the things that [the precinct] needs to take into consideration—people who have special needs [and] people who are less fortunate. People need to be held accountable, but we want to be as accessible as we can.
Steve Radack, R
Since first elected as Precinct 3 commissioner in 1988, what are a few changes you have noticed within the precinct?
The biggest change has been population growth. The entire country has grown, especially the unincorporated areas. From 2000 to 2010, the total number of people living in unincorporated areas increased 50 percent—from a little more than 1 million to 1.5 million. Those people need services—transportation, parks, amenities like libraries and law enforcement protection. So, the biggest changes have been the demand on county government to provide more high quality services and to do it in an increasingly innovative and efficient way.
What are some of the challenges facing Precinct 3?
Because of the incredible growth we have experienced, we are constantly challenged when it comes to finding new, unique and efficient ways to provide quality service to taxpayers and residents. The challenge never changes and it never stops. It is simply to start every day with fresh ideas to make life better for the people in my precinct.
What are your main goals as commissioner?
To continue to always be responsive to the needs of my constituents and to find [new] ways to make sure they have the amenities they need, the transportation system they deserve, the services they expect and the leadership they demand.
Election dates for 2012
- Oct. 22-Nov. 2: Early voting for general election
- Nov. 6: General election
