February 17, 2022 - I am County Judge Allison Harbison and I am seeking a third term as your Shelby County Judge. Below is my biography, if you don’t know me or haven’t had a chance to speak with me, I offer this short summary of who I am, my qualifications, and why I want to continue my tenure as your County Judge. I humbly ask for your vote in the March 1, 2022 Republican Primary.
I am a native and life-long resident of Shelby County, Texas. I began a career in county government with the Shelby County Clerk’s office in 1985 working until 1989 as a Deputy County Clerk. In 1989, my husband and I established our own business and managed it for thirty years. During those years I devoted my time to my two children, our business and also attended college earning an Associate of Science Degree from Panola College in 1998 and in December 2000 graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work Degree.
I served four terms as the County Clerk for Shelby County from 2001-2014. Then I was elected County Judge in 2014, took office in January of 2015, and am now serving my second term. As judge I have over 25 year of County Government experience and over 350 continuing educational hours of Judicial Training. I am a member of Texas Judicial Academy. In 2020, I was awarded the Shelby County Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce for my leadership during the Covid pandemic.
As County Clerk, I worked to improve access to the county clerk’s public records by digitalizing the records and improving customer service by offering online access and credit card payments. Under my leadership we were one of the first counties in Texas to implement the TER Birth and Death System, which expediates the filing of birth and death records with the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Austin. Therefore, allowing citizens to have access to these vital records in a timely manner. In 2011 I was voted, by my fellow County and District Clerks, as County Clerk of the Year for the State of Texas. I chaired the Legislative Committee and the Education Committee while a member of County and District Clerks Association of Texas.
I am honored to serve as the County Judge for Shelby County. Public service has always been an important part of my life and I am privileged to serve my county. As the County Judge I have strived to make thoughtful and mindful decisions for all constituents, including, businesses, large and small. Shelby County is my home and I try every day to keep it a great place to live and raise a family.
During my first year as County Judge, I renegotiated several ongoing contracts for services for the County, saving taxpayers over $100,000 per year. I have initiated many projects that have improved the services and needs of the County. I oversaw the converting of the abandoned Center Elementary School into the current AgriLife complex housing the Agriculture and Extension Agents and programs. I am extremely proud of assisting in obtaining and installing the new bleachers at the Expo Center using funds that were donated and raised through the years by citizens and previous County Judges. The project was completed with only a small amount of taxpayer funds for the project. I was instrumental in obtaining a state-of-the-art new software system for the Sheriff’s Department, case management system for the Justice of the Peace offices, and body cams and car cams for patrol officers and all the Constables. I work diligently with all County Officials to support them and the offices that they hold.
I have served on the Board of Directors of the Deep East Texas Council of Governments since 2002, currently serving as the President-Elect and will become the President of DETCOG later this year. I am currently the President of the Deep East Texas Judges and Commissioners Association. I was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for the Texas Forest Country Partnership. The Texas Forest Country Partnership is a regional economic development organization that is committed to coordinating economic development-related activities in East Texas and further enhancing the appeal of the 12-county area that it serves.
I feel that communication is the key to being a true public servant; a county judge should serve the people of the county and always have their best interest in mind when making decisions. I feel that the judicial side of my duties should be dispensed with thoughtful consideration after reviewing the statutes that govern the proceedings and only then rendering an unbiased decision.
Continuing education is vital for a County Judge. As well as obtaining many educational hours, I have been a guest speaker and presenter at many State Conferences, including Texas Association of Counties Conference, County and District Clerk’s Association, Texas Judicial Academy, West Texas Judges and Commissioners Association, East Texas Judges and Commissioners Association, South Texas Judges and Commissioners Association, Department of State Health Services, and the Secretary of State’s Election Law Seminar.
My husband, John and I have been married for 42 years and we reside in Shelbyville. My family and I enjoy sports, camping, and the outdoors. My favorite pastime is reading and I feel my greatest accomplishments are my two children, Summer, who is a professor at Stephen F. Austin State University, and Britt, who is an electrical engineer for Noble Drilling, Inc. I have two grandsons, Tucker and Chase, and a granddaughter, Kendall. They keep me young at heart.
Lastly, I want to thank the citizens for the support and trust that you have given me throughout my career in County government. I am truly privileged to serve as Shelby County Judge and promise to continue to put the citizens of Shelby County first. I humbly ask for your vote in the Republican Primary on March 1st. If you want to talk, my email and phone number are listed above, or come by my office, my door is always open.
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