Editor’s note: Don Woodward is running for Midland County Commissioner, Precinct 4, one of five representatives who sit on the Commissioners Court, the county’s governing body, which approves the county budget, sets tax rates, and represents their precinct on local policy matters. Woodward faces two challengers, Dianne Anderson and Lance Friday, whose interview will be shared shortly.

Candidate interviews are published in the order they are conducted. We will update this article with links to opponent interviews as they become available. We conduct candidate interviews using a standard set of questions, with follow-up questions tailored to each candidate’s responses. Voters must register by Monday, Feb. 2. Early voting begins Tuesday, Feb. 17. Primary Election Day is Tuesday, March 3.

Don Woodward positions his candidacy around what he believes is a gap between residents and county government. Throughout the interview, he repeatedly returned to questions of access to public officials and whether residents understand the major decisions the county makes.

“If you want to visit with the county commissioners, find out where the money is being spent or why it’s being spent there,” Woodward said. “You’ve got to take off, go down there, get three minutes maybe.”

Woodward said that while block walking, he hears from residents who are unsure who represents them or how to raise concerns. He pointed to town halls as one way to create more direct accountability.

“Get in a room, fill it up, sit there for two and a half hours, be held accountable,” he said. “Why did you do this? Well, this is what we did. Here’s why we did it.”

“Forced growth” versus “smart growth”

Woodward distinguishes between what he calls “forced growth” and “smart growth,” particularly when he believes development proceeds before the county resolves infrastructure concerns. He specifically pointed to the new Gary Painter Detention Center. In June of last year, the Midland County Utility District (MCUD) noted a $5 million shortfall to deliver treated water to the jail. The county fronted the cash, with MCUD reimbursing the county if a bond passes in the future.

“Are we spending [taxpayers’ money] in a smart way?” Woodward asked. “Are we doing forced growth? Are we doing smart growth? I think the water issue, that’s a forced growth. Now we have to get water out there.”

While he said he would like to see Midland continue to grow, he recognized that growth carries costs. However, Woodward said he takes issue with what he described as being forced into decisions or costs.

“Yes, I would love to see Midland grow more. There’s going to be a cost for that, and I understand that,” he said. “I think we should just be smarter. This is the taxpayer’s money.”

Duplication of effort and economic development

Woodward said duplication of effort across all local government taxing entities is an area he believes deserves closer scrutiny.

“I also believe that the city and the county are duplicating service efforts on law enforcement, on this, that and the other,” Woodward said. “I just feel like we’re duplicating a lot of stuff.”

Woodward also referenced his background with the Midland Development Corporation (MDC), where he said the focus was on targeted growth, business retention, and diversification. Economic development also features prominently in his campaign messaging.

During the interview, Woodward raised questions about recent city-led economic development deals involving major corporations.

“In my day at the Midland Development Corporation, those would have been no-go’s,” he said.

Greenwood water and who pays

We discussed water issues in unincorporated Greenwood, where residents rely on private providers and wells, or the possibility of a Midland County Utility District (MCUD) bond. While Greenwood is not located within Precinct 4, Woodward agreed the issue would likely remain a main issue before the Commissioners Court for years.

While Woodward emphasized that he is wary of any increased tax burden on residents, he acknowledged that Greenwood needs a long-term solution. He stressed that any plan must include buy-in from residents and developers within the area. He also said he supports the county playing a role in educating residents and facilitating discussion.

“I would like to see Greenwood step up and say, okay, we know we need this, and if we’re going to have growth out here, we have to plan for that,” Woodward said.

He was clear that residents should receive precedence with water infrastructure from an MCUD bond over a golf course.

Sales tax and voter trust

When asked about the hypothetical possibility of the county attempting to increase the sales tax again following a failed 2021 county-wide vote to do so, Woodward said he is generally in favor of lower taxes.

“I think less government is more,” he said. “I just think we’ve got to sit down and say, what do we really need?”

He tied that skepticism of increased sales tax to voter trust about how the county would use the additional money. He also said that he believed previous courts avoided spending money that was not already available to them.

Law enforcement spending and measurement

When asked what level of public safety justifies what level of cost, and how the government knows when additional spending produces diminishing returns, Woodward addressed supporting law enforcement while also measuring spending against outcomes, such as whether crime increases or decreases, and how many personnel the department has relative to our population and other populations.

“Are we more or are we less?” Woodward said. “Are we seeing results? Are we just throwing money at it?”

Woodward also discussed litter along highways, and referenced past practices involving inmate labor.

“[People] don’t love driving into Midland and seeing all the trash,” he said. “I would think that if you were in jail and you had to pick up trash for a week or two, maybe you would think about your choices.”

Faith, service, and willingness to vote no

When asked about his priorities as a Republican candidate, Woodward referenced his Christian faith, fiscal restraint, and accountability. He specifically noted that he is willing to take unpopular positions if he believes they are necessary, and that if he thinks spending decisions are frivolous, he will vote against them. He described his motivation for running as rooted in community rather than personal ambition.

“This is my home. I love Midland. I want to do what’s best for Midland,” Woodward said. “It’s not about me. It’s about Midland. It’s about us.”