Publishers note: Odessa Headlines has contacted Russell’s opponent – Don Stringer – multiple times to arrange an interview and so far Stringer has failed to agree to an interview. Samantha Russell is the daughter-in-law of Odessa Headlines publisher Jeff Russell.
In early January, Samantha Russell officially announced her run for Ector County Commissioner of Precinct Three. Russell is well-known in her community as a devoted wife, mother, and businesswoman. She is also a committed Christian and held her campaign kickoff at the Grandview Church of God. “I felt really strongly for somebody to get in the office and actually get something done. God made it clear to me that I needed to go,” she said in an interview with Odessa Headlines.
Russell is not a former politician, but she is confident that her planning and strategizing experience will benefit the County. Currently, she works as the CFO and marketing manager at her local family-owned business where she fulfills accounting responsibilities and handles the company’s social media. For several years prior to joining the family business, Russell worked for one of the world’s largest oil and gas focused chemical distribution companies. She said it was at this position that she developed a strong grasp of financial planning and formulating business solutions. Also adding to her experience, she has also worked as a real estate field appraiser.
When asked what qualities make a successful County Commissioner, she said, “You have to be able to plan, to have foresight, and to see the big picture. You need to be proactive, not reactive.”
Aside from her expertise in financial and business planning, Russell is passionately involved in her local community. She stays informed on current issues the county is facing by watching and attending city council, school board, and Commissioners’ Court meetings. If she can’t attend a meeting, she is watching it online or reviewing the posted agendas.
Being a courteous neighbor and offering a helping hand when needed are also two simple, but significant, acts of kindness that are valued by her. Russell insisted that hearing the voice of the community is equally important to experience when running as a potential County Commissioner.
“I’m a family person. I’m a mom and a wife. At one point in my life I was a single mom on one income. I understand what it’s like to struggle. I know how to budget, stretch a dollar, and treat others’ money like it’s my own,” she said. Russell stated that she wants to be known as a person who does exactly what they say they will and that this is the quality she feels is missing in the current County Commissioner Precinct Three office. She believes bringing her outside-in perspective to the table will help strengthen the community’s voice during decision making.
Her top priority, if elected County Commissioner, is to see needed repairs or replacement completed on significant buildings such as the courthouse, library, and detention centers. Referring to the courthouse, she said, “the people who work there deserve a safe work environment.” She also mentioned the poor state of the public library and understands how important access to computers and books is for both public and homeschooling families.
Russell expressed concern for the budgeting and planning of the new juvenile detention center, saying it’s a prime example of poor management of taxpayer dollars. Almost three years ago Commissioners issued twenty-six million dollars in Certificate of Obligations without voter input or approval. No work has begun on a new juvenile detention center despite the County having paid millions in debt service. “I am absolutely against issuing a CO unless the need is a real emergency such as a natural disaster . I think using one to go around the taxpayer vote is wrong and should not be done at all,” she said.
Russell also brought attention to the recent disconnect between the City and County regarding new development in the recently approved County tax assistance district. For several years City officials had requested the County enter into an interlocal agreement to split the 1.25% sales tax in areas that are newly annexed into the city citing the costs incurred by the City in providing water, sewer, trash, roads, and police and fire protection in these areas.
While such a measure recently passed, Russell’s opponent Don Stringer voted against the agreement. “My opponent could offer no reasons as to why he opposed this measure which everyone involved understood has become a major impediment to new growth in the County and was forcing new development eastward into Midland County. Commissioners heard from the president of the Odessa Development Corporation who stated that if a deal couldn’t be brokered between the County and the City it would continue to dampen new business development in the County.” she said. “I believe that if there had been any real concerns with a potential agreement it was my opponent’s job to speak up, lay out the issues and try to find common ground. Instead, he simply stated he ‘wasn’t comfortable with it’ and would provide no other details. This isn’t the way to work together or to get things done.”
Russell was also critical of Stringer’s recent vote against the budget. “While the overall budget did increase, the tax rate stayed the same and because of slight declines in most home values most taxpayers will pay a bit less in County tax than last year. What the budget increase did, however, was to allow the County to increase the pay levels for the Sheriff’s office, for jailers, and to beef up courthouse security especially in our extremely busy family court and I consider these very important areas of investment to keep our County’s staff and residents safe.” Russell stated.
The budget also allocated much needed dollars to the County’s overall maintenance funds. “I would much rather spend a few dollars today to complete needed repairs on our facilities instead of kicking the can down the road and then having to spend millions because we’ve allowed everything to fall apart.”
Looking ahead into 2024, Samantha Russell believes the County needs a Commissioner that will follow through with what has been promised to the community. She is relying on her proficiency in business planning and her commitment to the community to land her a precinct three seat and to provide new hope for Ector County constituents. “I will have an open-door policy. The community needs an accessible County Commissioner and I will be just that. I will work hard to be the voice for Precinct Three voters,” she asserted.
Early voting will begin on February 20 and Election Day will take place on March 5.