Proven Conservative
TravIs smitH
Roads, Rail and TxDOT.
High-speed rail and imminent domain grabs for private businesses are an absolute no. Abatements for data centers? Absolutely not. Travis has a proven track record of pushing local initiatives through TxDOT channels. As a young adult, Travis worked summers in Pct. 3 to clear blind corners, repair bridges and learn the importances of improving safety measures on County-maintained roads. That experience has also led to new cost-saving approaches and plans for timely roadway improvements.
MUDs, density and development.
There’s yet to be a MUD Travis has met that has any business in our business. A proven and effective voice for sensible development, Travis has shown no hesitation during split votes to standup for the residents that would be directly impacted by high-density or high-traffic developments. Pct. 1 is ripe for development — but it needs to be sensible development between the County and local City staffs and councils.
• Feb 5 — Last day to register for the Primary Elections
• Feb. 20 - March 1 — Early voting in Primary Elections
• Tuesday, March 5 — Election Day
• Oct. 21 - Nov. 1 — Early voting in General Election
• Super Tuesday, Nov. 5 — Election Day
Keep Ellis County Exceptional. For Us and our future neighbors.
"The growth Ellis County is experiencing is unprecedented. Your vote ensures we keep an eye on our historic past while responsibly working toward the future. I'd be honored to continue my efforts as a new voice on the Ellis County Commissioners’ Court! We will remain focused on responsible growth, critical road & bridge upgrades, safer neighborhoods, small business success and fiscally-conservative policies."
— Travis M. Smith, A third-generation Ellis County Native Elected to the Waxahachie City Council in 2021, pictured Volunteering with a WISD class.
The Proven candidate with an eye on responsible growth and Transparency
First responders and veteran services.
The Ellis County Sheriff’s Dept. should be afforded the resources and assurances needed to keep our families safe. We also need a heightened focus on a fiscally-sound future for ambulance services and fresh ideas to better care for and ease the financial burdens on our Veterans. Travis has already led the charge to increase pay and benefits for Waxahachie Police and Fire, hold outside ambulance companies accountable and identify new property tax exemptions for vets.
Proactive and conservative policies.
The budget development process should focus on being proactive, not reactive. The latter results in a gross misuse of taxpayer monies. Travis has a proven voting record to budget for now but, more importantly, budget for growth well into the future. Though not a fan of campaign promises, one promise Travis will uphold daily is to increase transparency, even when it’s uncomfortable. He will faithfully and actively serve as a strong conservative voice in the Commissioner’s seat, on local boards and commissions, and in Austin on behalf of our County, its residents and as a true friend of ISDs.
For more information, travissmithforwaxahachie@gmail.com or Facebook.com/TravisforWaxahachie.
Pol. ad paid for by Travis Smith for Ellis County
for
Proven Conservative
TravIs smitH
Ellis County
Commissioner Pct. 1
Proven Conservative
TravIs smitH
Early Life.
Travis grew up off Butcher Rd in Waxahachie, where he learned his love of sport and the outdoors. A 2008 graduate of Waxahachie High, Travis was a multi-sport student-athlete for the Indians and received the Ron Appleton FFA Commitment Award — an annual award given to a senior who has proven to live out and promote core FFA values. He still lives by those values today.
Those lessons of hard work and community service originated from inside Flowers by Patty, which his mother, Patty, owned for over 2 decades. Those lessons fostered a deep passion for small business success and an understanding of the obstacles big government can put on those dedicated small business leaders.
Travis played baseball collegiately and graduated from Tarleton State University with a Bachelor's in Political Science in 2015. He remains a proud alumnus of the agricultural-based Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity.
Travis pictured with Ron Appleton, a longtime Waxahachie educator, champion of Agriculture and namesake of the annual WHS FFA award
Travis is pictured with Richard and Shannan Womack, owners of the Railport Brewery and the Railport District in Waxahachie. The three became close friends when Travis covered their progress to open the first brewery in ellis County while with the Daily Light.
Professional Life.
Outside of peddling flowers at the local farmers market, Travis landed his first paying job as a summer hand with then-Ellis County Pct. 3 commissioner Heath Sims. He quickly learned the effects of creosote on the skin while replacing the boards on a bridge just outside of Maypearl.
Throughout college, Travis found interests and knowledge in small businesses that ranged from winery to bookstore. He eventually found a passion for story and truthtelling while covering the Tolar Rattler football team as part of an elective class at Tarleton State.
Travis went on to serve as the managing editor for five newspapers stretching from Stephenville to Palmer, specializing in local government and sports coverage. His coverage received dozens of state and local recognitions for transparency, truth and accuracy. Uncovering and reporting on those governmental shortfalls ultimately led to the reignition of the dream to serve Ellis County that began when he was 17.
Travis is the proud owner of Ellis County Sports Media and has vast professional knowledge in insurance, contracting and real estate.
Elected.
Travis ran for a seat on the Waxahachie City Council in May 2021. He eventually won the three-candidate race, ultimately defeating beloved 27-year incumbent Chuck Beatty in a run-off with a promise to continue working toward "One Waxahachie." Travis later made the motion to name the City Hall annex in Beatty's honor.
Quick to compare the first year of elected public service to drinking water through a fire hose, Travis became quickly humbled in his first year on the Waxahachie Council. His continued efforts to fulfill campaign promises to increase accountability, availability and transparency resulted in a resounding re-election bid in 2023 (62.7%).
- Waxahachie became the FIRST town in Ellis County to offer all available property tax exemptions.
- Requested, completed and funded a compensation study to retain critical employees related to police, fire, and infrastructure maintenance.
- Removed openly liberal municipal judge(s) and replaced with a champion who puts the safety of our residents first.
- Pushed forward proactive and fiscally-conservative spending related to infrastructure, city services and future development.
- Worked successfully and closely with the ISD to ensure the two entities' growth plans and needs aligned.
"And that's just in the past couple months! Effective conservative leadership — I'd be honored by your vote in the upcoming March 5th Republican Primary!" - Travis Smith, candidate for Ellis County commissioner, Pct. 1.
for
Proven Conservative
TravIs smitH
Ellis County
Commissioner Pct. 1
Proven Conservative
TravIs smitH
Travis is pictured alongside Waxahachie head football coach Shane Tolleson (center( and Waxahachie YMCA Executive Director Jon McLaughlin during an annual YMCA scholarship kick-off event. Travis and Jon worked together with the city of Waxahachie, Ellis County and private investors to move a project forward that will soon bring a new green space for residents.
(Top) Travis shows students of Wilemon steam Academy the history of Waxahachie mayors during a self-coordinated tour of City hall. (Bottom) Travis and fellow councilwoman Billie Wallace are pictured with retired law enforcement officer Leland Herron. Travis’ brother Jeffery might’ve supplied leland with 2 grandchildren. Stephanie might also cuss about it to this day.
Travis (center, left) is pictured with local elected officials and county leaders at the grand opening of Baylor Scott & White Health Heart and Vascular Hospital.
• Feb 5 — Last day to register for the Primary Elections
• Feb. 20 - March 1 — Early voting in Primary Elections
• Tuesday, March 5 — Election Day
• Oct. 21 - Nov. 1 — Early voting in General Election
• Super Tuesday, Nov. 5 — Election Day
The Proven candidate with an eye on responsible growth and Transparency
(Top) Travis pictured with WISD biology teacher Robert Rodriguez in celebration of his children’s book, “On a Bird Watch with Daddy.” (Bottom) That’s the group! That’s how we’ve gotten to this point and they are the reason we’ve won two Council elections. They’ve held signs, knocked on doors and invested countless hours into our communities. Cheers and a huge thank you to these folks!