The following Q&A was sent to each candidate in August 2026. Responses provided were submitted by the Sun’s press deadline in mid-October and fit within a given wordcount.
Russ Boles (Republican, Incumbent)
Why did you choose to run for commissioner?
Russ Boles: Williamson County is important to me. It’s where I was raised, it’s where I make my livelihood, and it’s where my wife, Kathy, and I chose to raise our family. It’s a dynamic place with big challenges in front of it. The successes we’ve had as a county didn’t happen by accident; it’s from planning ahead. We need to protect and improve those successes. It’s how I’ve approached this job from day one.
What prior experience do you have that qualifies you to serve as a commissioner?
Boles: I’ve been honored to serve the citizens of Williamson County as Commissioner. During that time, with help from the Court, I’ve led the construction of new roads, I’ve led during pandemics and I’ve led through the changing landscape of growth. My experience as a real estate broker, attorney and Brazos River Authority Commissioner has been priceless tools in leading the county forward, but nothing has been as valuable as what being a husband and father has taught me. Take care of your people, take care of our citizens.
What are the top needs of people in your precinct?
Boles: Williamson County is in a higher education desert. Our citizens and employers lack access to public four-year college programs. The University of Texas provides amazing programs, but simply isn’t accessible for our most qualified citizens and students. We need regional higher education workforce training with program decisions made locally.
If elected, what would you hope to accomplish with your time in office?
Boles: People don’t think much about roads until they’re trying to get home. Every project we build and every decision we make is really about something bigger. It’s about giving parents more time around the dinner table with their kids instead of sitting in traffic. My job is about planning ahead, protecting the taxpayers, and preparing our county for the future.
What is the most interesting thing happening in your community?
Boles: Impossible to pick one, but I am always amazed by our local businesses and entrepreneurs like: Ancira Salsa, local, out of Taylor made with family recipes; Guzman Automotive, Taylor’s family automotive repair expanding to Hutto; Shapley Hart located in Hutto, the reviews about the great service are true; and Piranha Records in Round Rock, everything vinyl, cassette tapes and CDs, as if you were at a house party in the ’90s.
Outside of your candidacy, what are you known for in your neighborhood or small community?
Boles: My friends and family are constantly amazed by my ability to consistently produce tough, dry brisket. They often ask me for my technique of not only over smoking the brisket but my recipe to make it “all bark,” but I don’t give up those secrets easily.
Harmon Rhea (Democrat)
The Sun has attempted to reach out to Harmon Rhea for the Q&A since August, but did not receive responses by the deadline.
Letisia "Tish" Flores (Independent, Write-in Candidate)
Why did you choose to run for commissioner?
Letisia Flores: I am running to restore genuine transparency, fiscal accountability and proactive advocacy for Precinct 4. Rapid growth is reshaping our region, but our long-time residents and rural communities are often left out of the conversation. I want to ensure county government actively listens to constituents, protects our local quality of life, and ensures our tax dollars are reinvested directly back into local infrastructure and community welfare.
What prior experience do you have that qualifies you to serve as a commissioner?
Flores: My career across public education, corporate sales and municipal treasury management gives me a strong foundation in fiscal oversight, administrative leadership and public service. Having managed real estate development, permitting and local budgets firsthand, I understand how to navigate county regulations, demand performance from contractors, and manage public funds responsibly for our taxpayers.
What are the top needs of people in your precinct?
Flores: Precinct 4 needs immediate attention to secondary road maintenance, expanded mental health resources through our Mobile Outreach Team, and accessible youth after-school enrichment programs. Furthermore, we must establish strict county oversight and joint city-county planning when evaluating large-scale industrial projects, such as data centers, to protect our local water, land and neighborhoods.
If elected, what would you hope to accomplish with your time in office?
Flores: I will establish clear, open channels for constituent input before major court decisions are made. My goals include securing Precinct 4’s fair share of county road bond funding, expanding mental health and youth crisis intervention services, and ensuring Chapter 381 economic incentives are granted only with absolute public transparency and proven community benefit.
As the county continues to grow, what infrastructure gap does the county need to address?
Flores: While state highways get major attention, our local feeder and rural roads are deteriorating under heavy traffic. We must prioritize county-level corridor upgrades, intersection safety, and drainage improvements. Simultaneously, we must bridge social infrastructure gaps by strengthening county-funded mental health support systems and community services to keep pace with population growth.
What is the most interesting thing happening in your community?
Flores: The rapid expansion of major technology and industrial projects, specifically data centers, is transforming our landscape. The challenge lies in balancing economic growth with neighborhood preservation. Ensuring these developments proceed through active city-county collaboration, rigorous drainage and environmental reviews, and full public input is the defining issue for our precinct today.
Outside of your candidacy, what are you known for in your neighborhood or small community?
Flores: I am known as an active community advocate, educator and volunteer dedicated to supporting local schools, youth programs and civic accountability across Williamson County.