Incumbent Karen Phillips and write-in candidate Terry Morrow are running for Smith County clerk in the general election on Nov. 3. Each candidate spoke with the Tyler Morning Telegraph about their background, skills and priorities if elected.
According to Smith County's website, the county clerk is the chief record keeper. The clerk maintains statistics, business and local filings and records for the County Court, the Commissioners Court and three County Court-at-Law courts, including civil, probate and Class A and Class B misdemeanor records. The position is a four-year term with no term limits.
Morrow is running as a declared non-party write-in candidate. She was removed from the Republican ballot after errors were found in signatures on her original petition for the March primaries. Phillips, a native of Tyler, has served as county clerk for more than 15 years and is seeking re-election. She said she describes herself as an ultra-conservative focused on fiscal responsibility, efficiency, public service and her Christian faith.