County Commissioner, Precinct 2 - Texas Ballot Compare

Chad Graff

Republican

On ballot as: CHAD GRAFF
Current role: Owner, small family-owned cow/calf operation (per Marshall News Messenger, February 2026)
Background: Bachelor of science in business, East Texas Baptist University (1993)
Marshall High School graduate (1988)
Board member/trustee, Grover Cemetery Association
Founding member, Governmental Collectors Association of Texas (per candidate)
Experience: Ran for this seat as the Republican candidate (November 2022 general election)
Temporary Harrison County Precinct 1 justice of the peace, June 2019 to September 2019 (stepped down)
East Texas regional collection specialist, state Office of Court Administration's collection program (hired 2005)
Moved back to East Texas in 2005 (per candidate)
New criminal collections program, Lubbock County (helped oversee; from 2000)
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Went to work for Harrison County in 1994 (per candidate)
Set up the county's Fine Collections Department (per candidate)
Was Harrison County's first director of criminal collections (per candidate)
Top priorities: "I want to look at ways to build upon what is already being done to improve road repair and construction for all county residents"
"I want to make dump sites more accessible and affordable"
"I want to help ensure that the countywide broadband initiative continues and serves as many residents as possible."
"I want to help ensure that Harrison County has sufficient water and electrical resources to meet the needs of our citizens for years to come."
Believes a commissioner's role is "to fully fund the law, fire and emergency services departments which ensure the safety of county residents"
Tidbits: Property taxes and budget: On his county and state collections work: "I have had the opportunity to build and oversee multiple budgets that all operated conservatively, while providing the needed services of each"
Growth and infrastructure: "I want to look at ways to build upon what is already being done to improve road repair and construction for all county residents"
Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
Public safety: Says a commissioner's role is "to fully fund the law, fire and emergency services departments which ensure the safety of county residents"
Endorsements: None found in our research
Campaign website: Not found

Zephaniah Timmins

Democratic Incumbent

On ballot as: ZEPHANIAH TIMMINS
Current role: Harrison County Commissioner, Precinct 2 (elected 2014; seeking a fourth term)
Background: Member of various boards, including the Marshall Depot board (per Marshall News Messenger)
Active member, Peoples Missionary Baptist Church (per News Messenger, 2022)
Experience: V.G. Young Institute of County Government's Commissioners Court Leadership Academy (accepted 2017)
Member, County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas
Top priorities: "We will continue to work on safe roads for travel throughout the county, strengthen public safety, promote economic development, and expand community services."
"One of the things that I really wanted to (focus on) was our infrastructure, because it just appears that we cannot do enough for our road and bridge department"
"Our goal has always been to make every department in this courthouse functional and efficient"
Tidbits: Property taxes and budget: At a public hearing on the county's 2026-27 tax rate increase (reported Sept. 25, 2026): "The laws are made and passed on the state level, and it's our job to enforce what they do. So, we are being forced by them to raise your taxes."
Growth and infrastructure: "it just appears that we cannot do enough for our road and bridge department, even though we added an additional $2 million"
Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
Public safety: "We will continue to work on safe roads for travel throughout the county, strengthen public safety, promote economic development, and expand community services."
Endorsements: None found in our research
Campaign website: Not found