Williamson County Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long announced this week that she will run for re-election in the 2018 Republican Primary. Precinct 2 covers Cedar Park, Leander, Liberty Hill and portions of Austin. In an Oct. 2 statement, Long said Williamson County has seen several conservative victories during her time in office and said she is seeking re-election to keep driving policies. “Population booms can often result in the deterioration of the quality of life in a community,” she said in the statement. “But here in Williamson County, we have added over 180,000 new residents since I was first elected, and our quality of life only continues to improve.” Long was first elected as a Williamson County Commissioner in 2006, and she said one of her signature achievements was leading the fight to eliminate the Freeport tax on manufacturing business in the county. The Freeport tax exemption allows goods that are in transit to be exempt from ad valorem taxation. In 2009, the county eliminated the Freeport tax, and local businesses agreed to a structured four-year phase out of the tax on items staying in Texas for fewer than 175 days. Long also said the county has seen been better roads and jobs and lower tax rates. “This didn’t happen by accident, and it won’t continue unless we remain vigilant and focused on the things that got us here," she said. Long holds a business degree from Texas A&M University, and she previously owned a consulting firm that advised clients in the airline, manufacturing, and financial services industries on major technology projects, according to the statement. Before being elected to commissioner’s court, she served on Cedar Park City Council. The 2018 Republican Primary election will be held on March 6.