Road issues could shape three-way Precinct 2 commissioners race

The McLennan County Precinct 2 commissioner race features a Democratic candidate chosen by local party leaders, a write-in candidate who fell short of the Democratic nomination, and a Republican who is seeking for the third time to break Democrats' historic hold on the precinct.

Republican D.L. Wilson, a former state trooper, is seeking in his race for the Nov. 5 election to appeal to the eastern McLennan County precinct by calling attention to road and bridge problems, which he said have have not been addressed in 40 years.

Jeremy Davis, a 29-year-old Waco Independent School District trustee, is the Democrats' official candidate in the race to succeed Patricia Miller, who died unexpectedly in January during a medical procedure. County Judge Scott Felton legally could have appointed someone to fill the seat until the Nov. 5 election, but chose to keep it empty to let voters make the ultimate choice.

Travis Gibson, son of the late Lester Gibson, who became the first Black candidate elected McLennan County commissioner, came up short to Davis in the local Democratic selection process. But Gibson is running as a write-in candidate, saying he considers himself a Democrat who grew up with his father's legacy. Gibson says he believes he has the best chance to beat Wilson, who ran twice against Miller, the last time losing by a razor-thin margin, 5,372 votes to 5,121.

Democratic Party Chairman Mark Hays said he tried to talk Gibson out of running a write-in campaign, suggesting it puts the Democratic nominee on a more difficult path to victory. But during their most recent conversation, Gibson reiterated his desire to run as a write-in candidate.

Meanwhile, Davis said he is staying the course.

"I feel like people are excited about my candidacy," said Davis, whose campaign has featured block-walks, ice cream socials, meet-the-candidate forums and face-to-face meetings with as many rural residents as possible. He said he has talked with Precinct 2 voters who believe their mostly rural community, plus the small towns of Riesel, Axtell and Mart, to name three, have received little attention compared to East Waco, South Waco and North Waco, portions of which also lie within the precinct boundaries.

Davis said he's noticed considerable deterioration in Precinct 2 roads and bridges, and has vowed to make infrastructure upgrades a priority. He said such work is vital to improved economic development opportunities in eastern McLennan County, which needs more businesses and jobs.

He said he was shocked by the death of Miller, who he called his mentor.

He said he wants to duplicate her quality of "having a listening ear," and striving to unite the community for the betterment of Precinct 2. He said he respectfully works with people holding different opinions while serving as a Waco ISD trustee. Davis said he brings a fresh perspective to the commissioners court. He said he harbors no doubt he can work effectively with his fellow commissioners, all Republicans.

"Reasonable people want what's best for the county," he said.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Jones said he is "looking forward to working with whoever is elected.

"It's important to have all the seats filled," he said. "(Precinct 2 office manager) Tracy Guillory and all the employees of Precinct 2 have done a great job in the absence of the late Commissioner Miller."

Jones said he would disagree with the suggestion Democrats would lose their voice on the commissioners court if a Republican takes Precinct 2.

"I believe all the commissioners, while elected through the party process, do an excellent job of listening to all constituents," said Jones in an email response. "I have no doubt Mr. Wilson will do the same."

Wilson, 59, said his 21 years with the Department of Public Safety and 10 years with the Texas Department of Transportation make him uniquely qualified to gauge the quality and safety, or lack thereof, of roads and bridges in Precinct 2. He said repairing roads tops his bucket list.

"I've been down every road in Precinct 2, and they are terrible," said Wilson, now the police chief for Riesel Independent School District. "If someone else had stepped up, I'd probably still be with the highway patrol instead of entering this race. Ms. Miller tried, but she learned from Lester Gibson. The first job of a county commissioner is overseeing roads and bridges, but they have not been a priority among those in the Precinct 2 leadership mode."

He said Battle Lake Golf Course and the Waco Surf waterpark, though popular attractions, are served by roadways that need widening.

Tracy Guillory, who remains Commissioner Miller's office manager, sought the Democratic nomination to run in Precinct 2, but lost out to Davis. Guillory and Precinct 4 Commissioner Ben Perry have assumed Precinct 2 workload, including interaction with road crews, said Wilson.

"They say they've done more in six months than they did the previous five years," said Wilson, summarizing his conversations with crew members.

Wilson said commissioners have limited control over infrastructure improvements within Waco city limits, but he hopes to pursue funding from whatever source to place affordable housing in East Waco and South Waco, allowing Black and Hispanic families to live where they desire.

Asked to comment on the race, County Judge Scott Felton said in an email: "Precinct 2 roads and bridges need a lot of attention. Voters need to elect an individual that has some experience in managing significant projects. The existing precinct employees are really good people that deserve a commissioner that knows how to manage people and processes."

Travis Gibson said by phone Friday his priorities for Precinct 2 include health care, including mental health care, economic development and infrastructure maintenance and improvements. He said public response has been heartening, particularly in areas where he accompanied his father on campaign stops, in Gholson Heights and in Sharondale, for example.

Gibson, 53, said he wanted to clarify points about his candidacy. He insists he is running as a Democrat, not as an independent as some have suggested. He said he did receive former U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards' endorsement during the Democratic selection process, but did not pursue an endorsement from Edwards for his write-in campaign, "not wanting to put him in that situation."

Gibson said he does not view his write-in campaign as potentially dividing the Democratic vote, and improving the odds of a Wilson win.

"I see it as giving people a voice in the democratic process," said Gibson.

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