Smith County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026
16 candidates are on the November 3, 2026 ballot across 13 Smith County races, led by the Smith County Judge contest.
County offices
JudgeNeal Franklin (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Neal Franklin Republican
- Local economic growth through strategic planning and accountable investment in services and public safety
- Tax relief and strong community partnerships
Per the KLTV news article.
About Neal Franklin
Franklin has served as Smith County Judge since November 2022 and previously served as Smith County Precinct 1 Commissioner. He spent more than 30 years in fire and emergency management leadership, including as Tyler's Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator and as General Manager of ETMC EMS, per the county's official website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Single-nominee race: Neal Franklin is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot; no primary contest for this seat was reported among Smith County's contested March 3 races, and no Democrat filed, per Tyler Morning Telegraph and KLTV coverage of his re-election campaign.
Full race pageDistrict ClerkGaye Boynton (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Gaye Boynton Republican
- Plans a deliberate, phased approach to office efficiency, tracking what works before making changes
- Supports the office's planned transition to the new county courthouse
Per the Tyler Morning Telegraph.
About Gaye Boynton
Gaye Boynton is a certified paralegal with about 40 years of experience in law, including 28 years at a Tyler law firm, who was appointed Smith County District Clerk in March 2026. She has served as president of the Tyler Area Association of Legal Professionals, per the Tyler Morning Telegraph. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
March 3 primary result: Gaye Boynton won over incumbent Penny Clarkston 67.12%-32.88% for the Republican nomination; no Democrat filed, so Boynton is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot, per the Tyler Morning Telegraph's coverage of the county's canvass.
Full race pageCommissioner, Precinct 2Austin Luce (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Austin Luce Republican
- Managing county growth responsibly while building infrastructure for the future
- Keeping property taxes low, drawing on his property tax consultant background
- Frequent, visible road maintenance response and constituent accessibility
Per the KLTV news article.
About Austin Luce
Austin Luce is a commercial property manager and Texas State Guard member who holds a real estate license and property tax consultant certification, per KLTV. He represents Precinct 2, covering Southeast Tyler, Whitehouse, Chapel Hill, and Troup, per KLTV. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
March 3 primary result: Austin Luce won the Republican nomination outright over Catherine Roots, 53.44%-46.56%; no Democrat filed, so Luce is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot, per the Tyler Morning Telegraph's coverage of the county's canvass.
Full race pageCommissioner, Precinct 4Ralph E. Caraway Sr. (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Ralph E. Caraway Sr. Democratic
Caraway is the sitting Smith County Commissioner for Precinct 4 and is seeking re-election unopposed, per the county's official website. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Single-nominee race: Ralph E. Caraway Sr. is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot; no Republican filed and no primary contest for this seat was reported among Smith County's contested March 3 races.
Full race pageCriminal District AttorneyJacob Putman (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Jacob Putman Republican
Has served as Smith County Criminal District Attorney for six years and expanded the office's staff from 48 to 85 employees, per press coverage of his re-election announcement. In 2024 his office prosecuted more than 7,000 cases and earned a Gold Level Agency designation from the Texas Victim Services Association, per press coverage of his re-election announcement. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Single-nominee race: Jacob Putman is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot; no primary contest for this office was reported among Smith County's contested March 3 races, and no Democrat filed, per Tyler-area press coverage of his re-election campaign.
Full race pageClerkKaren Phillips (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Karen Phillips Republican
Has served as Smith County Clerk for 15 years, per press coverage of her re-election campaign. Helped reduce the county clerk department's budget by $150,000 during her first two years in office, per press coverage of her re-election campaign. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
Single-nominee race: Karen Phillips is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot; no primary contest for this office was reported among Smith County's contested March 3 races, and no Democrat filed, per Tyler-area press coverage of her re-election campaign.
Full race pageJustice of the Peace, Precinct 1Derrick Choice (D)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Derrick Choice Democratic
Derrick Choice has served as Smith County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace since April 2022, per KETK. He began his career in the 1990s as a Smith County juvenile probation officer after earning a criminal justice degree from the University of Texas at Tyler. Derrick Choice appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
March 3 primary result: Derrick Choice won the Democratic nomination outright over Dalila Reynoso, 71.69%-28.31%; no Republican filed, so Choice is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot, per the Tyler Morning Telegraph's coverage of the county's canvass.
Full race pageJustice of the Peace, Precinct 2Andy Dunklin (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Andy Dunklin Republican
Andy Dunklin has served as Smith County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace since 2019, per KETK, after 10 years as a Smith County constable. Andy Dunklin appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
March 3 primary result: Andy Dunklin won the Republican nomination outright over Shawn Scott, 51.80%-48.20%; no Democrat filed, so Dunklin is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot, per the Tyler Morning Telegraph's coverage of the county's canvass.
Full race pageJustice of the Peace, Precinct 3Tim McDonald (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Tim McDonald Republican
Tim McDonald began his law enforcement career with the Jacksonville Police Department and has served as a detective with the Smith County Sheriff's Office since 2013, per the Tyler Morning Telegraph, working as lead investigator on more than 1,500 criminal cases. Tim McDonald appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
March 3 primary result: Tim McDonald won the Republican nomination outright over Kyle S. Stowers and Rod Langlinais, 62.90%-28.07%-9.03%; no Democrat filed, so McDonald is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot, per the Tyler Morning Telegraph's coverage of the county's canvass.
Full race pageJustice of the Peace, Precinct 4Curtis Wulf (R)
Unopposed: still on your ballot.
Curtis Wulf Republican
Curtis Wulf has served as Smith County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace since 2022, per KLTV, and has more than 20 years of experience in the justice system, including prior service as a peace officer. Curtis Wulf appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4, per the county elections office's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.
March 3 primary result: Curtis Wulf won the Republican nomination outright over Sam Griffith, 60.45%-39.55%; no Democrat filed, so Wulf is the only candidate on the November 3 ballot, per the Tyler Morning Telegraph's coverage of the county's canvass.
Full race pageBy address
These seats are elected by district; only the district covering your address is on your ballot.
Smith County is split across 2 Texas House districts.
Find your districts by addressTexas House: 2 districtsDistricts 5, 6
Texas House District 5Cole Hefner (R) · Hector Garza (D)
Cole Hefner Republican Incumbent
Cole Hefner is a small business owner in the insurance industry who previously ran a construction business for 16 years, according to his official House biography. He formerly served as an Upshur County Commissioner and has represented House District 5 since 2017, chairing the House Homeland Security, Public Safety and Veterans' Affairs Committee. He is the incumbent seeking reelection. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Hector Garza Democratic
- Education, mental health and immigration policy
Per KLTV.
About Hector Garza
Hector Garza resigned as chairman of the Smith County Democratic Party to run for Texas House District 5, according to the Tyler Morning Telegraph. He has said he would prioritize education, mental health and immigration policy if elected, per KLTV. No verified campaign website was found for him as of 2026-09-11. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Cole Hefner (Republican), Hector Garza (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Texas House District 5; Cole Hefner is the sitting member, per the Texas House of Representatives' official roster. Nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (or a May 26 runoff) or advanced unopposed; the field is the Texas Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageTexas House District 6Lorenzo Johnson (D) · Daniel Alders (R)
Lorenzo Johnson Democratic
Lorenzo Johnson is the Democratic candidate for Texas House District 6 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Texas Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Daniel Alders Republican Incumbent
Daniel Alders is a real estate professional who served as executive property manager and president of Drake Management Services, according to his official House biography. He grew up on a family farm in Nacogdoches County and previously worked as the East Texas regional director for U.S. Senator Ted Cruz before winning his first term representing House District 6. He is the incumbent seeking reelection. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Lorenzo Johnson (Democratic), Daniel Alders (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Texas House District 6; Daniel Alders is the sitting member, per the Texas House of Representatives' official roster. Nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (or a May 26 runoff) or advanced unopposed; the field is the Texas Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageTexas Senate District 1Laticia Ambroz (D) · Bryan Hughes (R)
Laticia Ambroz Democratic
- Restoring integrity and forward-thinking leadership in state government
- Building a future centered on opportunity and government that serves its people
Per the campaign site.
About Laticia Ambroz
Laticia Ambroz has lived in Texas for more than 60 years and describes a family motto of leaving things better than she found them, according to her campaign site. She is running as a Democrat for Texas Senate District 1.
Bryan Hughes Republican Incumbent
Bryan Hughes is an attorney from Mineola who earned a BBA from the University of Texas at Tyler and a JD from Baylor University School of Law, per his official Senate biography. He served in the Texas House from 2003 to 2017 before his election to the Texas Senate in 2017, where he now chairs the Senate Committee on State Affairs. He is the incumbent seeking reelection to Texas Senate District 1. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026.
Laticia Ambroz (Democratic), Bryan Hughes (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Texas Senate District 1; Bryan Hughes is the sitting member, per the Texas Senate' official roster. Nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (or a May 26 runoff) or advanced unopposed; the field is the Texas Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.
Full race pageSee your full ballot
Voting info and more
Voting info and more
Verify your ballot with the official election office.
Cross-check every race and candidate with the official election office. Official sources are the final word.
Texas nominees were set by the March 3 primary and May 26 runoffs; unopposed nominees still print on the November 3 ballot, a plurality wins, and declared write-in votes count but write-in names do not print, per the Secretary of State.
Who is on the ballot in Smith County, Texas on November 3, 2026?
Smith County sample ballot 2026: see where the county judge, county commissioner and criminal candidates stand on taxes and growth. Every candidate profile on this page names the official filing or campaign source it came from.
When is the 2026 general election in Texas?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Texas are listed on the Texas election hub. Texas election hub →
How do I see my exact Smith County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup for the statewide and congressional races on every ballot in the county, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location. Look up your ballot →
Sample ballot by ZIP code in Smith County15 ZIP codes
Candidate roster last updated Sep 25, 2026 from official election sources.