GOP newcomer tosses hat into Denton County Commissioners race

By Stephen Webster
Investigative Reporter

Courtesy of The News Connection, by permission.

Andrew Eads is an ambitious, young Republican, preparing his bid for a seat on the Denton County Commissioners Court . A Flower Mound resident, native Texan, and Re/Max DFW real estate agent, Eads worked for the City of Addison for six years in a multitude of departments, including the office of the City Manager. He’s also the author of the book, “ Addison, Texas : A Pictorial History.” Having recently announced his candidacy in Precinct Four, currently held by Commissioner Jim Carter, Mr. Eads dropped by The News Connection for a brief chat.

Photo by Stephen Webster

Candidate Andrew Eads in the offices of The News Connection

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The News Connection: “Thank you, Mr. Eads, for coming to speak with us today. To begin, please give us some of your personal background.” 

Andrew Eads: “I am a fifth generation resident of Denton County. I was born in Dallas, but I was raised here. I’ve always been a leader. I’ve always been civic minded.”

TNC: “What is your degree?”

Eads: “I have a business degree with a minor in real estate from Howard Payne University. From there I went on to the University of North Texas and completed my Masters degree in Public Administration in 1996. Civic involvement is very important to me. I think everyone should be civically active in some way. As part of a degree requirement, I got an internship with the City of Addison. Those are typically for six months, but I ended up staying for six years. The internship did not last for six years, but I had the opportunities to work in all the different capacities of civil government.”

TNC: “Tell us about your experiences with the City of Addison.”

Eads: “What was great about being an intern, and then again in my subsequent jobs there, I really got to learn all the operations of a municipal government, which is similar to a county in many ways. I went out with the road crews and watch them build roads. I worked in the City Manager’s office doing the minutes for council meetings and writing ordinances. I was a staff assistant in the Planning and Zoning department, dealing with development issues and how they impact the town. I also spent some time in the Human Resources department, dealing with personnel issues the city was facing. At the same time, I wrote a history book for the town of Addison. I traveled all over Texas interviewing folks, mostly little old ladies who grew up in the town. When the City Manager interviewed me for the job he said, ‘one of your jobs as an intern is to help develop the history of the town of Addison. I’m sure there are a dozen or so old pictures out there, so get them.’ 3,000 pictures later he said, ‘what are we going to do with these?’ I suggested we put together a book, and we produced Addison, Texas: A Pictorial History.”

TNC: “What role does the County Commissioner play in the appraisal district?”

Eads: “The County has a voice in the appraisal district’s governance in that they are one of the taxing entities served by the district …”

TNC: “They vote in the executive directors of the district. We mention that because you know about our series on the district. We hope that it will lead to some changes in how they operate. If elected, will you, as Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell has, come and hear residents’ complaints and see what can be done to address them?”

Eads: “Of course. Yes. That is a very important part of the job. Bobbie is very conscientious, and I think she and I have that in common. […] There is more to being a County Commissioner than just attending meetings. […] I’ve known Bobbie my whole life. She is a great member of the court and friend of the family. I look forward to possibly working with her.”

TNC: “What kind of campaign do you plan on running?”

Eads: “I plan on running a positive grassroots campaign. I think door-to-door campaigning is a good way to meet the voters and find out what their biggest issues are. There are about 20 cities in this precinct, which is pretty big. [Jim Carter, Precinct Four Commissioner] was the Mayor of Trophy Club, so he’ll have a good pool there, but I feel I will get strong support from Flower Mound. It is where I am from.

TNC: “That’s a lot of door to door.”

Eads: “Well, I’ll do that in select areas. We’ll have some volunteers doing the footwork alongside myself. We’re also going to be hosting breakfasts and receptions in homes and community centers, like in Bridlewood. It is going to be real grassroots, but we will advertise some as the election approaches. I am a member of the Denton County Republican Men’s Club. [author’s note: Eads also served as an intern at the 1992 Republican National Convention.] However, I was not active in the party while I worked for the City of Addison because the International City Manager’s Association frowns upon active partisanship.”

TNC: “How much have past campaigns spent on an election of this kind?”

Eads: “Anywhere between $30,000 to over $100,000 on campaigns for County Commissioner.”

TNC: “How are you financing your campaign?”

Eads: “We are going to do a series of fundraisers. I am planning on using some personal funds as well. There are several people who have pledged support, but I am only taking money from local concerns. I have a group of interested people … who are, I’d say, a coalition.”

TNC: “These are well known people?”

Eads: “Yeah. They’re all heavy hitters.”

TNC: “What issues are you running on?”

Eads: “I bring a new set of ideas and an energy level to the job. This is a four year term, and we don’t even take office until 2007. (The GOP Primary is in March 2006) I have more than an interest; I have a stake in the proper growth and development of the county. My family is here. My kids are here. I am a fifth generation resident of the county. I want to be actively involved in taking on transportation issues. This precinct is open space. I would like to have a voice in seeing prudent growth and development out there. I want to be a positive change for the western part of the county.”

TNC: “Do you think Jim Carter has done a good job in the eight years he’s been in?” 

Eads: “Yes. But I think I can do a better job. There are times in life when people need to make a change, and this is a good opportunity for the community to make a positive change.”