Note: Candidates are in ballot order. The winner will face Democrat Karen Hodges in November’s general election.
Trey Newton
What are your three priorities and if elected, what will you do about them?
Trey Newton. Credit: Campaign website.
First: Responsible budgeting and protecting taxpayers.
Property taxes are the primary funding source for county government, and even without rate increases, rising property values have increased the tax burden on families.
Government does not create revenue — it takes it from citizens — so every dollar must be treated with respect. Lubbock County needs a taxpayer watchdog. As a commissioner, I will carefully review the budget, oppose new tax increases, prioritize core services and insist on transparency, performance reviews and efficiency before any new spending commitments are made.
Second: Public safety and core county services.
The county’s most important responsibilities include supporting law enforcement, detention operations, courts and emergency services. I will prioritize funding for public safety and infrastructure maintenance, ensure resources are used effectively, and support long-term planning that avoids costly crises or deferred maintenance.
Third: Smart growth and accountability for major projects.
Lubbock is growing rapidly and growth must be managed responsibly so we do not become a community that overtaxes residents or struggles with basic services. That includes careful scrutiny of large projects like the Expo Center, requiring clear budgets, independent review, public reporting and enforceable financial safeguards before taxpayer dollars are committed.
Outside the office you are seeking, what are the ways you have participated in the community, for example: boards, volunteer positions, or other offices you previously held?
My career has taken me to different cities across Texas in public service roles, but my family and I chose to return to Lubbock and make it home. I attended Texas Tech; my wife is a Texas Tech graduate and law school alum and our family’s ties to the university remain strong — our oldest son recently earned his master’s degree in physics from Texas Tech and our youngest completed his freshman year there before enlisting in the U.S. Army. Locally, we’ve been active through our children’s schools, including Monterey High School athletics and Evans Middle School band activities.
What A-F grade would you give the Commissioners Court over the past two years and why?
Rather than assigning a traditional letter grade, I think the past few years of Commissioners Court point to a different issue. A grade assumes the court has been focused on governing, deliberating and serving the public. Instead, frequent infighting and public conflict have distracted from the real work taxpayers expect. In that sense, what the court needs right now is less a grade and more a period of “detention” – a reset to refocus on professionalism, cooperation, and core responsibilities.
Voters deserve a Commissioners Court that is stable, disciplined and focused on public safety, roads, lower taxes and responsible budgeting.
Name one vote or decision you would have made differently than the current court and why.
One decision I would have made differently relates to the recent Expo Center vote. The county judge, Curtis Parrish, raised legitimate concerns about financial transparency and accountability, including the lack of a clear accounting of previous expenditures and the absence of protective language in the resolution before Commissioners Court. Judge
Parrish voted “no” because he believed the court was advancing the project without fully protecting the county’s financial interests and his amendment to add safeguards failed. While the vision for a multipurpose venue has value for the citizens of Lubbock County, I believe we must go beyond optimism and formal resolutions. Before authorizing any further spending – specifically six-figure design contracts or additional commitments – I would have required a fully itemized public budget, an independent financial review and enforceable benchmarks demonstrating that projected revenues, private fundraising, or other funding sources are sufficient to cover future costs without jeopardizing core services. Projects of this scale should protect taxpayers first and part of good leadership is recognizing when more scrutiny and safeguards are needed before moving forward.
Kevin Pounds
What are your three priorities and if elected, what will you do about them?
Kevin Pounds. Credit: Campaign FB page.
County Road 3600 (Horseshoe Bend) in Precinct 2 has been closed for years without a clear plan to reopen it. Families who rely on that route to reach Slaton are being pushed onto Gentry Lane, a rough dirt road with a steep climb out of the canyon. Our residents deserve better access, safer roads, and real answers. This needs to be a priority.
Maintenance of county facilities has been a low priority for years in Lubbock County and that neglect has come at a real cost to taxpayers. When buildings, equipment and infrastructure are not properly maintained, small problems turn into big problems that are expensive to fix. I believe in developing a long-term facilities plan that protects our investments, extends the life of county assets, and saves money over time.
No more drama on the Commissioners Court. I’ve spent a lifetime working on various boards and committees as well as a firefighter for Lubbock Fire Rescue for the last 24 years. I work with people building a consensus and solving problems instead of fighting about them. We need to get back to a court that focuses on doing the county’s business efficiently rather than seeking headlines.
Outside the office you are seeking, what are the ways you have participated in the community, for example: boards, volunteer positions, or other offices you previously held?
I founded the Lubbock County Meat Goat Association in 1999 to support the Lubbock County junior goat exhibitors and it continues as strong today as the Lubbock County Goat Show. I served on the Idalou Stock Show Board for more than 14 years and still help with the annual livestock show and sale. I currently serve as chairman of the Lubbock Fire Pension Fund, overseeing retirement benefits for more than 750 active and retired firefighters and represent our members on the Texas Local Fire Fighters’ Retirement Act Legislative Committee.
What A-F grade would you give the Commissioners Court over the past two years and why?
C-. The Commissioners Court is divided and lacks the leadership that can build a consensus. Personal conflicts and drama have taken over the court instead of the work the matters most. It’s time to move past the distractions and focus on serving the citizens of Lubbock County.
Name one vote or decision you would have made differently than the current court and why.
Cutting the budgets of the county’s volunteer fire departments in the current budget cycle was a mistake. These departments already operate on razor-thin margins while responding to more calls each year. They protect our rural communities, farms and families with limited resources and incredible dedication. It’s time to restore their funding and give them the support they need to keep our citizens safe.
Justin Martin
What are your three priorities and if elected, what will you do about them?
Justin Martin (image sharpened with A.I.) Credit: Campaign FB page.
My main priority is the county budget, because it impacts every aspect of county business — from taxpayers’ pocketbooks to the safety and security of our community. The Commissioners Court must work together for the greater good of the county. Strong communication and proactive planning among the Court are essential to meeting the needs of our residents. If elected, I want to be held accountable by the taxpayers to create a budget that is transparent, efficient and effective. In order to accomplish this, I will be available to listen to my constituents and work for them to the best of my ability. I see my role on the Commissioners Court as a voice for my Precinct 2 constituents.
Safety and security must be a top priority, especially with the continued growth of our communities. Our Sheriff’s Department and volunteer fire departments must be adequately funded to ensure they can effectively protect and serve the public. As our population continues to grow, our first responders and emergency services will face higher demands than ever before. Keeping crime low and our streets safe is essential to ensuring our community continues to thrive. The Sheriff’s Department has done an excellent job working with our rural communities. This collaboration between local governments and law enforcement is something I would like to see continue.
Finally, I am committed to bringing a solution-focused approach to the Commissioners Court. We must communicate in a professional manner that honors the constituents who elected us. Unity and leadership are what our Commissioners Court urgently needs. When members take the time to communicate openly and resolve concerns professionally, we can accomplish meaningful progress for Lubbock County.
Outside the office you are seeking, what are the ways you have participated in the community, for example: boards, volunteer positions, or other offices you previously held?
I had the honor of serving on the Slaton ISD School Board for 12 years, where I worked to be a strong voice for families, teachers and taxpayers. I also gained valuable experience while serving for six years as Republican Precinct Chair for Precinct 38. In addition, my company has participated in the Casas for CASA fundraising initiative, helping support foster children in our local community.
What A-F grade would you give the Commissioners Court over the past two years and why?
I’d give the Court a C recently when it comes to budgeting and long-term planning. A lack of communication and transparency has been an obstacle to progress. A solution-focused court holding consistent individual meetings to plan and discuss pressing issues would allow members to work toward solutions, rather than hashing out conflicts in public.
An F when it comes to hidden agendas pursued to advance individual goals. Instead of transparent leadership, behind-the-scenes deals have been used to manipulate budgets and initiatives. It has been exhausting for the public to watch this play out like a three-ring circus on the news.
Name one vote or decision you would have made differently than the current court and why.
The biggest decision I would have changed was the walkouts that took place to advance certain agendas. While I understand the reasoning behind those actions, including concerns about tightening aspects of the budget and behind-the-scenes pressures that were forcing commissioners’ hands, neither approach ultimately benefits our community.
We must commit to transparent communication rather than backdoor tactics to resolve issues. Many of these problems could be prevented through better communication from our county judge, particularly by avoiding last-minute items being placed on the agenda. These situations create division within the court because they feel deceptive rather than collaborative.
I would have remained in the courtroom, openly expressed my concerns, and voted on behalf of my constituents.
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