Be a responsible citizen by learning about the law making processes, attending meetings, and communicating with your elected officials.
A summary listing of Texas representatives (Federal, State – offices & legislature, School Board, County, and RPT) can be found here.
Federal Representatives / Lawmakers:
- U.S. Senators:
- U.S. House, District 1: Nathaniel Moran (R) 202-225-3035 https://www.house.texas.gov/ review his Freedom Index Rating here and constitutionality of their votes summary report
STATE Representatives / Lawmakers:
- Texas Senate, District 1: Bryan Hughes (R) (512)463-0101 or (903)923-0404 (Marshall office). Summary of his record here.
- Fiscal Responsibility Rating here
- Texas House, District 11: Representative Joanne Shofner (R) (512)463–0592 or (936)585-6802 (Nacogdoches office)
- Fiscal Responsibility Rating here
- Speaker of the Texas House (89th Legislative Session): Dustin Burrows
- Governor of Texas: Gregg Abbott (R) (512)463-2000
- Lt. Governor: Dan Patrick (R) (512)463-0001
- Attorney General: Ken Paxton (R) (512)463-2100
- Comptroller of Public Accounts: Glenn Hegar (R) (512)463-4600
- Land Commissioner: Dawn Buckingham (R) (512)463-5001
- Commissioner of Agriculture: Sid Miller (R) (512)463-7476
- Railroad Commissioners: Wayne Christian (R), Christy Craddick (R); Jim Wright (R) (512)463-7158. This agency has primary regulatory jurisdiction over the oil and natural gas industry, pipeline transporters, natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline industry, natural gas utilities, the LP-gas industry, and coal and uranium surface mining operations.
- State Board of Education, District 9: Kevin Ellis (R) (512)710-7915
PANOLA COUNTY
- Texas State Directory list of officials here.
- County Chair: (R) Mark Williams (979)436-6631, email williamsetx@gmail.com and (D) John Foster (903)693-8607, email jandmfoster@yahoo.com
- County Precinct Chairs: Listed here by precinct number. A precinct is the smallest political subdivision in Texas. They are officials elected to oversee individual precincts and their responsibilities include direct engagements of voters within their parties within their geographic area. The chairs are elected every two years. To determine where you vote (also known as your voting precinct or polling place), go to the Panola County Elections Office (here) and scroll down to the topic “polling places” and then click the arrow for resources.
- County Commissioners Court: Judge Rodger G. McClane (903)693-0391; Commissioners (903)693-0385: Precinct 1 Billy Alexander; Precinct 2 David A. Cole; Precinct 3 Craig M. Lawless; Precinct 4 Dale LaGrone. The county precinct map is also found the Panola County Elections Office (here) under the topic “polling places”.
- Did you know that in Texas, judicial education is administered by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals? There standards are here.
- County Clerk: Bobbie Davis, (903)693-0302
- County Treasurer: Abby Booker, (903)693-0325
- County Tax Assessor-Collector: Holly Gibbs, (903)693-0340; pay & view taxes. The county tax assessor-collector and county appraisal district have different responsibilities and authorities, see here and here.
- County Court of Law: Judge Rick McPherson, (903)693-0396
- County Constables: Precincts 1 & 4 Jeff Ivy (903)693-0333; Precincts 2 & 3 Brack LaGrone (903)693-0385.
- County Sheriff: Cutter Clinton (903)693-0333
- Justice of the Peace: Precincts 1 & 4 Judge Denise Gray-Blissett, (903)693-0375; Precincts 2 & 3 Judge Maria Hernandez (903)693-0377
- County Auditor: Jennifer Stacy, (903)693-0320
- District Court, 123rd Judicial District: Judge LeAnn Rafferty, (903)693-0315
- District Clerk: Lindsey Smith, (903)693-0306
- District Attorney: Larry Fields, (903)693-0310
Other County Government Agencies
- Panola County Appraisal District; Douglas McPhail, Chief Appraiser, (903)693-2891.
- Conduct a property search here or use a searchable map here
- Powers and duties of the Appraisal board are here and here.
- Tax rates and ultimately the amount of taxes levied are determined by the governing bodies of each of the taxing authorities. These taxing authorities include cities; all the Independent School Districts; Panola County; Panola College; Panola County Emergency Services District #1; and the Panola County Ground Water Conservation District.
- The appraisal district staff appraises the local real estate and personal property accounts.
- Panola County Emergency Services District #1 There are five commissioners who serve two-year terms. The list of commissioners is found here.
- Panola County Groundwater District Board of Directors is composed of nine directors who are elected every four years by Panola County residents. They are located at 409 W Sabine St., Carthage, and can be contacted at (903)690-4143.
- Panola County Fresh Water Supply District #1 is also known as the Lake Murvaul Water Controlling Authority. The Board is comprised of five members. The office can be contacted at (903)693-5633 and is located at 638 County Road 1234, Carthage.
City and ISD officials
- See city and independent school district (ISD) info on the “Local Government” page here.
STATE JUDICIAL SYSTEM:
- Court Structure of Texas is found here and here. General information about Texas judges (qualifications, salaries, etc.) is here.
- Supreme Court is the final jurisdiction in civil and juvenile cases (court of last resort for civil matters in Texas). The court is composed of a chief justice and another eight justices who are elected statewide for staggered six-year terms.
- Court of Criminal Appeals is final jurisdiction in criminal cases. The court is composed of a presiding judge and another eight judges who are elected statewide for staggered six-year terms.
- Courts of Appeals (14 courts) have regional jurisdiction, and they have intermediate appellate jurisdiction in both civli and criminal cases appealed from district or county courts.
- Texas Sixth Court of Appeals consists of three justices hearing cases from nineteen counties including Panola county. It sits in Texarkana and is often the last court to hear any case except criminal appeals.
- Children’s Courts
- Child Protection Courts, Panola County is northeast Texas CPC No. 1 in Region 10 with Judge Lisa Andrews
- Child Support Courts, Panola County is court No. 6 in Region 10 with Judge E. LaVern Campbell
- Trial Courts
- Administrative Judicial Regions: 11 total. Panola county is in the 10th AJR and is served by the Honorable Alfonso Charles.
- District Courts are established by statute and are the trial courts of general jurisdiction. Panola is combined with Shelby county, as the 123rd district and is served by the Honorable LeeAnn Rafferty.
- County Courts were established by the Texas Constitution although not all exercise judicial functions. Panola County is served by Judge Rodger McLane who does exercise judicial in addition to the administrative duties of the county government.
- County Courts at Law are only in 97 counties, map. Panola County is served by Judge Rick McPherson.
- County Justice(s) of the Peace Per Texas Constitution, each county has a minimum of one and a max of eight. Panola County has two, Precincts 1 & 4, Judge Denise Gray and Precincts 2 & 3, Judge Maria Hernandez. They have original jurisdiction for Class C misdemeanors.