Q&A: Hays County Commissioners Court Precinct 4 candidates

Q&A: Hays County Commissioners Court Precinct 4 candidates Q&A: Hays County Commissioners Court Precinct 4 candidates Audrey Leckey and Arantza Sanchez De Leon October 14, 2026 Categories: Elections Features News The Hays County Commissioner’s Court Precinct 4 seat is part of the county’s policy-making body, overseeing the budget, tax rate and county services. Walt Smith is the current commissioner for Precinct 4 but he is not running for reelection. Candidate answers may have been minimally edited or cut for style and clarity. Photo Courtesy of Angie Unger Angie Unger (DEM) Why did you decide to run for commissioner in this election? “… I come from a very community-focused mindset; I’ve been involved and woven into it so much. I am more of a community-based individual. I felt at some point, all this community and all this work I was doing over the years had to become action. I have been asked over the years by mothers and my neighbors to run. I’ve never had a career in politics; I like to say that I am a local mom who loves to help others and be involved. I am empathetic, but I am also a Latina. I will speak up, especially for the marginalized voices, because we deserve to be in the rooms where policies get made for us as well. I have always been very local, and I will continue to be with respect.” What would be your top priority if elected? “It is really important to know that we are seeing our water deplete right before our eyes. I am all about protecting our aquifers, such as the Edwards and the Trinity. I respect and want to protect property rights. I would love to see commissioners do more to protect the recharge zones. Development should not go over recharge zones. I want to be a commissioner who backs our groundwater districts. I want [residents] to know that I am gonna strengthen them. I would love to have eclectic citizen advisory committees in reference to water.” How do you plan to maximize the use of tax dollars in the county budget? “In a time when transparency and trust are so low in government and in local politics, I set a standard for myself that I will not take a cent from developer campaign contributions, from lobbyists, from engineering firms, from data center-connected interests [or for] any special interests. People sitting at home, on their TV or phone, looking at me have a contract come up and for them to wonder, like, ‘Mm, she’s gonna vote on this, but didn’t that engineering firm give her a bid check during campaign contributions?’ I set this standard for myself because I want to remove any doubt from people. I want them to make sure they have a commissioner with no strings attached. My judgment is not for sale. I also want to identify spending that would be unnecessary, making sure there is no waste. I am a budget hawk with a heart.” Photo Courtesy of Rob McClelland Rob McClelland (REP) Why did you decide to run for commissioner in this election? “So my wife and I moved back to Texas in 2017 after my 12-year career in the United States Army, and we actually love Hays County. … I looked at a lot of things that are going on in our county and a lot of challenges as we’re dealing with a lot of people who want to move here and live here and raise their families here, there’s a lot of work to be done, especially around transportation and mobility, especially around water infrastructure, and then, of course, public safety as we grow.” What would be your top priority if elected? “There are three top priorities for me. I think it applies to y’all down in Texas State as well. The first one is taxing and property taxes and affordability. I mean, the average age now for a new home buyer is 40 years old, and a lot of that has to do with property taxes in Texas are just so high, and it’s very difficult for young people, young families, to afford to buy a home … so I’m committed to lowering property taxes at the local level … Number two, I want people to be able to stay in their homes and not have to be taxed out of them. So that’s first and foremost for me, is property tax relief.” How do you plan to maximize the use of tax dollars in the county budget? “… I’m big on a couple of things: fund the core services, public safety, and transportation, and obviously the things associated with it, the district attorney’s office [and others]. … Then look at opportunities to expand services across the county for people through different arrangements and different partnerships. With nonprofits, private-public partnerships, [and] … government is not the answer for everything, there may be times, and a lot of times, industry and nonprofits and partners can do things a lot better than we can.” 0 Like This Story Share on Facebook Share on X Email this Story Print this Story More to Discover More in Elections Q&A: Commissioner's Court Precinct 2 candidates Q&A: Hays County criminal district attorney candidates Thousands of local voters placed on suspense list New districts set for Texas voters ahead of midterms Cohen advances to general election for County Judge Live 2026 primary run-off election updates More in Features Texas State community holds demonstration to stand with Jane Doe Austin City Limits Music Festival TXST couple retires after roughly decade of supporting student success Take your concerns to the ballot box Locking down the thrash metal scene: Local band releases first EP 'Cats look to get first conference win vs Colorado State More in News UPD investigates burglary, indecent assault at Cypress Breast cancer awareness is key to survival UPD searching for man accused of indecent exposure at the Meadows Center Scooter safety concerns arise at Texas State Rio Vista fencing, entry fees led to a cleaner park Housing enforces new security policy at Castro Hall