Bob Tullock is facing a challenge in his bid to secure a second term as the District 7 representative on the Jefferson County Council.
Dittmer resident Josh Williams threw his hat in the ring for the Republican primary on Aug. 4. Tullock has held the seat for the last four years and was first elected in 2022.
No Democrats filed for the seat, so whoever wins the primary will run unopposed in the November general election.
Councilmembers serve for four years and receive an annual stipend of approximately $13,929.
Williams, 44, of Dittmer has served as a Big River Ambulance District board member since 2008. For the last 12 years, he served as chairman of the board. He was appointed to serve on the Jefferson County Code Commission for the last year and a half. He was a volunteer firefighter with Cedar Hill Fire from 1995-2003. He was a volunteer youth football and baseball coach in the Hillsboro, Grandview and Northwest school district areas from 2010-2021. Williams and his wife, Christina, have two children.
Tullock, 60, of Dittmer is a retired business owner and former flight simulator technician. He earned a degree in electronics, a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating, a certificate in emergency management and a Class A commercial driver’s license. Tullock and his wife, June, have one daughter, a son-in-law and three grandchildren.
Why should voters elect you, and what are your goals if elected?
Williams: I will be an effective representative of my district due to my ability to network and communicate well with others. I will work with integrity and respect for the taxpayers. I believe God established the basics of this by giving me two eyes to see, two ears to listen and one mouth to speak. I will see the issues, hear the concerns and speak with wisdom to make things better for those I will represent. If elected, my goals are to bring smart, responsible economic growth to District 7 and Jefferson County, which will help to increase our tax base and not increase taxes on our home/property owners and seniors. Growth is inevitably coming, and we need to properly balance infrastructure, business and residential growth in our district and the county as a whole. I will work to improve traffic safety on the Hwy. 30 corridor and help improve resources for seniors, veterans and the unhoused.
Tullock: When a resident or business owner has a problem, they usually need assistance immediately — not days later. Serving as a County Council member means more than attending two meetings each month. It is a service-oriented position that requires being accessible, responsive and willing to help whenever the need arises. I will continue working to protect the senior citizens tax credit while supporting responsible, steady growth that strengthens our economy without overwhelming our roads, public safety, schools or other essential services. Smart planning protects taxpayers, preserves our rural character and ensures infrastructure keeps pace with development.
If Jefferson County seeks to grow, what are the best opportunities for achieving it?
Williams: To achieve positive economic growth in Jefferson County, we need to balance infrastructure, business and residential growth in the county. We need to work to attract good business and industry to our county to provide good-paying jobs so that more of our residents are able to work in the county instead of having to travel outside of it every day for work. By doing this, we will increase our tax base which will help provide better for our emergency services and our schools, and potentially reduce the impact of property and sales taxes on the backs of our homeowners, property owners as well as our seniors.
Tullock: Jefferson County’s greatest opportunities include attracting quality businesses that create good-paying jobs, expanding our tax base, encouraging responsible commercial development and supporting the local businesses that are the backbone of our economy. Growth should always be balanced, well-planned and beneficial to our residents. Thoughtful decisions today will create opportunities for future generations while preserving the quality of life that makes Jefferson County a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire.
Do you support the development of data centers in Jefferson County? Why or why not?
Williams: I support reasonable regulations and ordinances for any development of positive economic growth in our county.
Tullock: No one can responsibly support or oppose a data center without first understanding the complete proposal, including the development agreement, infrastructure requirements, environmental impacts, and the costs and benefits to Jefferson County. As chairman of the Economic Development Objectives Committee, I believed it was important to thoroughly study data centers before any application was submitted. That is why Jefferson County adopted clear regulations before a developer filed a petition. I believe that a proactive approach was the right decision because it provides certainty for residents and developers while ensuring every proposal is evaluated fairly and in the best interests of Jefferson County.
What is the biggest threat to the quality of life in Jefferson County?
Williams: I believe the biggest threat to the quality of life in Jefferson County is stagnant growth causing a burden on our taxpayers, seniors, emergency services and our schools.
Tullock: The quality of life in Jefferson County is shaped by the decisions we make today. Every vote on the County Council should be made with one purpose in mind: serving the residents and businesses of Jefferson County — not outside special interests. Responsible leadership requires time, research and a willingness to understand the long-term impact of every decision. Every action we take affects families, neighborhoods and businesses throughout our county. I have maintained a 100 percent attendance record on the County Council because I believe that if I am not there, I cannot represent the people who elected me.
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