County

Smith County Commissioner

Precinct 2

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A county commissioner is one of four precinct members of the commissioners court, which sets the county budget and tax rate and oversees county roads and services.

Candidates Compare by issue

Austin Luce

Republican

Commercial real estate and property manager

The gist

Pledges property tax relief by capping county budget growth.
Pledges to review county spending and vendors.
Pledges focus on roads, bridges, public safety and courts.
Supports recruiting high-wage industries to the county.
Pledges to be personally reachable by constituents.

More about Austin

View sources (1)

Pledges property tax relief by capping county budget growth.
Austin Luce for Smith County Commissioner
Campaign website · voteluce.com
“Keep budgets limited to grow only as much as household incomes.”
Pledges to review county spending and vendors.
Austin Luce for Smith County Commissioner
Campaign website · voteluce.com
“Review expenditures, not just taxes. Look for transparent vendors and seek best practices from other counties across the state.”
Pledges focus on roads, bridges, public safety and courts.
Austin Luce for Smith County Commissioner
Campaign website · voteluce.com
“Remain laser focused on the services Smith County citizens depend on, like roads & bridges, public safety, and a strong justice system.”
Supports recruiting high-wage industries to the county.
Austin Luce for Smith County Commissioner
Campaign website · voteluce.com
“Focus on recruiting industries that pay high wages and sell outside the county, reducing homeowners’ tax burden.”
Pledges to be personally reachable by constituents.
Austin Luce for Smith County Commissioner
Campaign website · voteluce.com
“Local government works best when people know who to call…and when that person answers.”

Dustin Gray Stephens

Democratic

Small business owner

The gist

Supports community programs as an alternative to incarceration.
Supports housing the county's homeless population.
Pledges to investigate how county money was spent.
Supports spending tax money in every taxed community.

More about Dustin

View sources (1)

Supports community programs as an alternative to incarceration.
Dustin Gray Stephens (Smith County Commissioner Precinct 2) — Candidate Connection survey
Other · Ballotpedia · ballotpedia.org
“Community programs to help citizens are more effective and cost less than prison.”
Supports housing the county's homeless population.
Dustin Gray Stephens (Smith County Commissioner Precinct 2) — Candidate Connection survey
Other · Ballotpedia · ballotpedia.org
“without affecting other county services.”
Pledges to investigate how county money was spent.
Dustin Gray Stephens (Smith County Commissioner Precinct 2) — Candidate Connection survey
Other · Ballotpedia · ballotpedia.org
“Fiscal responsibility, where did 7 million dollars go? Let's find out.”
Supports spending tax money in every taxed community.
Dustin Gray Stephens (Smith County Commissioner Precinct 2) — Candidate Connection survey
Other · Ballotpedia · ballotpedia.org
“Tax money must be used to serve all communities taxed.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 6 issues covered in this race.