I’m running for Collin County Commissioner, Precinct 4! The support I’ve received from you all for this has been overwhelming! This will be an open seat, as my Commissioner, Duncan Webb, is not running for re-election. The primary election will be next March, 2026, and the general election in November of 2026.
Y’all are used to some meaty posts from me, so if you don’t care about the details, you can skip to the bottom to see how you can help! If you want the details, though, I’ll share some things I’ve shared previously, and more, so read on and I’ll tell you:
- Why I’m running
- What it means for my current elected roles on Plano City Council and as Collin County Republican Party Chair
- The Role of County Commissioner
- What I intend to do as County Commissioner
Why I’m Running
From the moment I was first elected to serve on Plano City Council six years ago I accepted that I’m a straight-up policy nerd. I’m also a fiscal nerd. And if anyone is keeping score, I’m also a Star Wars nerd. My very first meeting was about park development fees, and I examined it from every angle I could. It’s been the same with every issue that’s come before me on council, from property taxes, to economic development, to transportation infrastructure, to the pandemic, to backyard hens, to parking allotment, etc.
A lot of this stuff may be dry and boring, but I take it all seriously and it doesn’t bore me. Quite the opposite–I get really into it. I absolutely love serving on city council, but I’m term-limited. I’m on the back half of my final term, then I can’t run again. Serving on the Commissioners Court will allow me to serve more people in much the same way that I have for the past six years, but in a different function of government.
Collin County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the entire nation and is coming up against real challenges related to property taxes, growth and development, infrastructure, transportation, maintenance, and economic development.
I have significant experience with all of these on Plano City Council, have amassed a wealth of knowledge, and built numerous relationships critical to the success of a County Commissioner.
What it Means for My Current Elected Roles
As I mentioned, I’m term-limited on Plano City Council, but under the law, I still have to resign from council for the remainder of this last term in order to run for County Commissioner. I did that yesterday, and I won’t lie–that was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I didn’t realize just how hard until it was done. I truly love serving. But now that I’ve had to do this, I’m in this race for Commissioner to the very end, no matter who jumps in–including Donald Trump himself, and I mean to win.
We (council) called the special election to backfill me to occur with the May 3rd local election. The reason for this timing is’ the only way I could run for County Commissioner and not necessitate an enormous cost to the taxpayers (that’s you) for a special election. I had thought I could time it to coincide with this November’s election for Constitutional amendments, but due to the County Elections Administration’s cost-sharing model, that would have been even more expensive than a stand-alone election. So unfortunately, it was now or never, but you all know the fiscal discipline I’ve always exercised, and I’m not about to stop that now.
I’ll continue to serve on council until my replacement in this election is sworn in. With the election on May 3rd, my last meeting on council will likely be April 28th. BUT! For those who find value from my city council previews and recaps, I intend to continue those unless another council member picks it up and carries on the tradition. I’ll still be paying attention to council, I just won’t be voting.
I’ll likewise need to step down as Collin County GOP Chair, but that’s a different trigger. Moreover, the special election to backfill me will be among the Precinct Chairs in the Collin County Republican Party Executive Committee, so there will be no special election expense. I’m tentatively looking at stepping down in October, a few weeks before filing for the Primary Election opens up in November.
I didn’t want to be GOP Chair in the first place, but I’ll continue to do my duty until it comes time for me to step down. Likewise, in the execution of those duties, I won’t use my role as GOP Chair for my campaign for County Commissioner.
I’m making this very open and transparent with lots of lead time, so whoever wants to succeed me as GOP Chair will have a good seven months to make their case to the Executive Committee, and can then apply for a place on the ballot as Collin County Republican Party Chair in next year’s Primary.
The Role of County Commissioner
I’ve related this before, but it bears repeating. What does a Commissioner do? Is it like Commissioner Gordon in Batman? Sadly, no. We don’t even get a bat signal.
I cover county government in my seminar, “How Local Government Works in Texas,” but the simplest way to put it is that counties are adjuncts to the state government. They also provide services in unincorporated areas (the uncharted wilderness) that cities ordinarily provide inside their borders, such as law enforcement, building permits, and roads. County government involves, among other things, law enforcement, the court system, county health services, tax collection, infrastructure in unincorporated areas, transportation planning, elections, and records.
Fun Fact: as the Chairman of the Collin County Republican Party, part of my statutory duty is to serve on the County Elections Commission along with the County Judge, County Clerk, County Tax Assessor-Collector, and Chairman of the Collin County Democratic Party, and we just appointed the new County Election Administrator.
Here’s where the County Commissioner’s Court is unique and critical: unlike cities, where I’m one of only eight elected council members, including the Mayor, counties have numerous elected officials overseeing various functions, but they don’t get to determine their own budgets–that’s the purview of the Commissioner’s Court. This relationship requires consistent fiscal responsibility and strong working relationships. Similarly, counties can’t pass ordinances like cities–counties can only pass Court Orders if allowed to by state law. This also requires strong working relationships with the legislature.
All of my experience and relationships are directly applicable to the duties of County Commissioner.
What I’ll do as County Commissioner
I intend to translate my six years of service on Plano City Council directly to the Collin County Commissioners Court. The relationships I’ve built locally, and at the state and federal levels will be important in this role.
Responsible Taxation and Budgeting: Collin County is growing fast. This necessitates strategic budgeting and forecasting to keep pace with growth and maintenance needs which can come sooner than expected. Many of y’all know the detailed budget and tax analysis I do on Plano City Council, and my reputation for fiscal discipline. I’ll carry this with me to the Commissioners Court and conduct fiscal roadmapping to forecast and provide for our needs years out to ensure they’re met in the most taxpayer-friendly way possible.
Smart Growth: One of the reasons I was elected was to likewise exercise discipline with Plano’s growth and density. I have first-hand experience with the challenges that accompany rapid growth and will work with the Commissioners Court, local officials, and the state to help guide the responsible development of Collin County so that it enriches the quality of life of our residents and the success of our businesses.
Transportation: Our transit infrastructure is constrained, and our roads have seen more wear and tear than we expected. In Plano, we can’t widen most of our roads anymore, but we are employing creative solutions and technology to help address traffic congestion. Double that for Collin County (quintuple it for Hwy 380). As Commissioner, I’ll leverage my experience in transportation from Plano City Council to work with the County, cities, the Regional Transportation Council, and TXDOT to plan for future transit infrastructure in a fiscally responsible way that meets the needs of our people, and facilitates the economic vitality of the region.
Government Intersection: The county government doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it has considerable interaction with state and city government. I have significant experience with both and have fostered positive working relationships with legislators and local elected officials. I’ll continue to build those relationships to further the interests of the people and businesses of Collin County.
I Ask for Your Support and Your Vote!
Thank you for all the support you’ve given me over the years! It’s an honor and a privilege to serve you, and I intend to do so for many years to come!
We still have a year until the primary election and 20 months until the general election, but we’re hitting the ground running now.
There are several ways you can help:
- Spread the word! Let folks know I’m running.
- Endorse me
- Make a secure contribution to my campaign
- Volunteer to work with me on the campaign
Thank you, and let’s make this happen!
With gratitude,
Shelby Williams
Plano City Council – Place 5
Collin County Republican Party Chair
Candidate for County Commissioner – Pct. 4
