As McLennan County Judge Scott Felton continues to weigh his options for replacing Commissioner Patricia Miller, who died while in office on Jan. 28, two familiar figures are making known their interest in the post.
Travis Gibson, a Bellmead City Council member and son of longtime McLennan County Commissioner Lester Gibson, confirmed Wednesday he is interested in filling Miller’s Precinct 2 seat until it comes open in a November special election.
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Donis “D.L.” Wilson, Riesel Independent School District police chief, told the Tribune-Herald he “definitely is thinking about the situation.”
Wilson ran in 2018 and 2022 as a Republican against Miller, a Democrat who had long served as Lester Gibson’s administrative assistant. Wilson lost both times, but he said Wednesday his showing proved voters from both parties appreciated his candidacy.
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Wilson, a former Texas Department of Public Safety official, said he sent a letter to Felton confirming his interest in the position.
State law gives Felton authority to appoint someone from Precinct 2 to fill Miller’s seat until a November special election. Miller’s term on the court was to expire in 2026.
The precinct is split between eastern McLennan County, which is rural and heavily Republican, and Democrat-dominated urban areas, including East Waco, South Waco and part of North Waco.
Travis Gibson said he has known since high school he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps as “a servant leader.” He has been a Bellmead City Council member since 2015, serving two terms as mayor. He noted that his father served on the Waco City Council before becoming a county commissioner. Travis Gibson is employed by Waco Independent School District.
Gibson said ideally he would receive appointment to the Precinct 2 seat, then become the Democratic Party nominee to run in November.
“Judge Felton has jurisdiction, and I respect that,” he said. “If appointed and nominated by my party, I would put the matter in the hands of the people. I bring experience and an understanding of history. My father opened the door of opportunity as the first African-American elected to the commissioners court. He served faithfully until Dec. 31, 2018. That opened the door for Commissioner Miller, the first African-American woman elected to the court, and she did an exceptional job the past five years.”
Lester Gibson was elected to the court in 1990 as the first Black commissioner since Reconstruction, and he served until 2018.
Travis Gibson said he’s familiar with city and county budgeting processes and the mechanics of setting policy. He considers himself “an advocate for the people, for what’s right,” not a politician, a description he dislikes.
Felton said Wednesday state law imposes no deadline for his appointment decision.
“My primary focus now is to support employees who work for Precinct 2, review their work schedules, and see how my office can help them provide services to their particular area,” said Felton. “There have been some people show interest, and I’ll let information bubble up for now.”
He said he would not necessarily limit his options to candidates who express no interest in running for the seat in November.
“What I’m hopeful for is having somebody who knows how to do the job, who understands budgets, can work with more than a thousand employees, and with elected officials who are pretty independent . . . and with the complex process county government can go through,” Felton said. “I’ve not officially solicited input, but I’m getting unsolicited advice, which I don’t mind.”
Felton said he is aware that Gibson and Wilson have expressed interest.
Patricia Miller took office as Precinct 2 commissioner at the start of 2019.
Miller volunteered to work on late Commissioner Lester Gibson’s first campaign, later serving as his executive assistant 22 years. She ran to fill Gibson’s longtime seat in 2018, winning the election and becoming the first woman and the first Black woman chosen to serve on the court.
Miller died unexpectedly at Baylor Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center, where she had undergone surgery. Her colleagues on the court and others expressed shock at her passing, saying they had spoken with her in the days leading to her hospitalization. She seemed fine, even scheduled future meetings.
Hundreds attended services for Miller on Saturday at the Base at Extraco Event Center. A brochure of remembrance said, “She always faced many obstacles, but through them all, she was flexible and resilient.”
Miller withstood challenges from D.L. Wilson in her last two elections, besting him 5,372 votes to 5,121 last year to retain her seat. She took 51.1% of the vote, a slimmer margin than in 2018, when she won 58.3%.
“I have had two good races with Ms. Miller, God rest her soul, and it was close the last time, a margin of a couple of hundred votes,” said Wilson. “I’ve spoken to employees of Precinct 2, local community leaders in Bellmead, Mart, Axtell, Riesel and Hallsburg, and they know I have the experience and knowledge of what Precinct 2 needs, as well as the county in general.”
Wilson said his priorities remain healthy drinking water and attention to deteriorating roads, “which have been poorly maintained the last 30 years.”
“I’m for bringing training to employees, bringing in the right equipment,” said Wilson, who added, “We’re getting closer and closer. The name is getting out there. A lot of Democrats are voting for me, not just Republicans.”
McLennan County Democratic Party Chairman Mark Hays said he hoped to speak with Felton this week. He said Miller was the lone Democrat serving on the court with three Republican commissioners and a Republican county judge. He said he would remind the judge of that delicate balance.
“It is his decision, and I’m not going to pressure him too much,” said Hays. “I’ll let him know we’ll do the best we can with his choice. The precinct chairs will select a candidate this summer, and we’ll take that seat back.”
He said it makes little difference to him whether Felton’s appointee is interested in seeking election to the seat in November.
“It makes a difference to those folks interested in the position,” he said. “Some would run, some would not. We welcome the idea of someone wanting to hold the job, because it is a big job. We’re prepared to deal with it either way, but one choice would mean no Democratic voice for months.
“That seat has been represented by a Democrat for a long time. That was the will of the people for multiple elections over many years. Appointing a Republican would bring a lot of unnecessary controversy and strife,” said Hays. “One party rule is never a good idea. Better policy would be to fill that space with a Democrat until the special election in November.”
Republican Party Chairman Brad Holland said Republicans don’t play “identity politics,” and sees no reason Felton should limit his options to Democrats. He said Felton should choose the most qualified person to fill the seat, and not base his decision on race, gender or party affiliation.
