Editor’s note: The Permian Press reached out to the two candidates in the May 26 runoff election for Midland County Commissioner Precinct 4, Dianne Anderson and Lance Friday. Each was asked the same three questions and asked to respond in 150 words or fewer. Answers are published in alphabetical order by the candidate’s last name.

A Midland County Commissioner is one of five representatives who sit on the Commissioners Court, the county’s governing body, which oversees the county’s $244 million budget, sets tax rates, and represents their precinct on local policy matters. Early voting for the runoff begins Monday, May 18. Election Day is Tuesday, May 26.

1) What is the most important issue facing Midland County today, and what specific actions would you take to address it?

Anderson: There are more than one. I will list three I plan on focusing on in my next term. a. Midland County is a hub for drug and human trafficking, and along with that comes violent crime. The formation of the TAG Unit has produced results, and we must dedicate ourselves, individually, as a City and as a County to support this Unit.

b. Lack of ability to enforce fire codes and conduct inspections on new construction and existing buildings. The county is growing fast, and no one ensures that fire and life safety codes are being followed by contractors or builders.  Also ensuring that event center owners keep the occupancies up to fire code.  This can easily be resolved with a commitment by the County to add the personnel needed.

c. Managing the rapid growth and infrastructure needs. Trying to plan and stay ahead of the needs all while managing the needs of the existing infrastructure.

Friday: Midland County faces a real fiscal challenge heading into 2026-2027. Proposed taxable values have declined sharply, meaning less revenue and for all budget decisions ahead. Before budget season arrives this summer I intend to know exactly what that projected shortfall looks like so I can provide input for the current court to determine budget deficits responsibly.

Our roads cannot wait either. As a taxpayer who drives these roads myself, I see the strain every day, industrial traffic, rapid growth, and wear that every family absorbs. As Commissioner, I will want to work closely with Andrew at Road and Bridge to prioritize repairs based on safety and need, not politics.

I will fully support Andrew and the Road and Bridge department, pursue state and federal funding partnerships, and insist on competitive bidding and transparent contracts. I am not a career politician. I am a fellow taxpayer, and I will treat every dollar accordingly.

2) What is the clearest difference between you and your runoff opponent, and why does it matter to voters?

Anderson: a. Experience, and dedication. With a new County Judge and Precinct Two Commissioner, I will be the longest serving member of the Commissioners Court. b. Four years learning the County’s functions and the Commissioner’s job takes huge chunks of time; there are a lot of facets to this job. The Commissioners Court will have to have my experience and guidance as we transition to a new body of governance.

c. Dedication: Decades of involvement to make Midland a better place. Junior League of Midland and its Legislative team; Trustee on the MISD School Board, Board member and Interim Superintendent for Midland Academy Charter School; Midland West Rotary Club, Rotary International Council on Legislation, Governor of Rotary District 5730, and recipient of the prestigious “Service Above Self” award. President of St. Ann’s Parish Council.

I only care about Midland; not how this job may benefit me.

Friday: I did not enter this race for a title or a political career. I entered it because Precinct 4 deserves someone on the Commissioner’s Court who is there to serve the community, the taxpayers, and the public trust. My life has been built on hard work, service to others and conservative values: you earn what you have, and you do not spend what you do not have. I will bring that same discipline to county government.

Voters deserve a straightforward answer to a straightforward question: who is going to treat this position as a duty rather than a destination? That is the difference I am offering, and it will show up in every vote I cast and every dollar I steward.

3) How would you apply the Republican principle of limited government in Midland County, and how would that shape your decisions?

Anderson: Limited government is good government. The more government tells us how to live, the fewer freedoms we have. We should be thankful for the First Ten Amendments to the federal Constitution, also known as the Bill of Rights. We should also be thankful for the Texas Constitution, which leaves most of the power of government in the hands of the citizens of Texas (that’s why we have so many amendments to it).

At the same time, there are some things that only government can do, and we must live with that. So, in my actions and decisions on the Commissioners Court, the things that I propose and the things on which I vote, restraining government while protecting the rights of individuals is always a consideration and will always be a consideration.

The ever-growing complexity of our society, witness AI, will always necessitate new rules. That is inevitable, but we must stand firm against invasive government.

Friday: Our family has never believed in debt or dependency. We have worked for what we have, lived within our means, and taken responsibility for our own lives. That conviction is rooted in our faith, our values, and our upbringing, and it is exactly how I believe county government should operate.

As Commissioner, I will apply that same standard to every budget decision. County government has a clear job: maintain our roads, fund public safety, deliver essential services without waste and without overreach. Anything beyond that demands serious justification.

Every decision I make will be guided by one question: Is this the right use of my neighbors’ money? If I cannot answer that with confidence, the answer should be no. That is not just policy. It is a promise.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​