Ready. Reliable. Republican.
About Austin
Austin Luce is a ninth-generation Texan whose life reflects a consistent commitment to service, community, and conservatism. Born on a U.S. Navy base in Iceland while his father served as a Navy dentist, Austin is carrying on his family’s military tradition, serving as a Specialist in the Texas State Guard.
After earning his degree in Business from Texas A&M University, Austin began his career in the oil and gas industry before transitioning to commercial real estate. For the past decade, he’s managed commercial properties in Smith County, where problems don’t wait for business hours. From a burst pipe on Christmas Eve to an active-shooter response on Easter Sunday, Austin responds quickly and personally.
In 2021, during a time of great uncertainty and unrest in our state, Austin felt called to join the Texas State Guard, where he now serves in Bravo Company. His duties have included Operation Border Health Preparedness, the state’s largest coordinated public-health and emergency-response exercise.
Beyond his uniformed service, Austin has worked to grow the Republican Party, serving as a Founding Member and President of the Smith County Young Republicans, delegate to the Republican State Convention, and block walker for Senator Ted Cruz’s campaign in Indiana. He is also the incoming Chair of PATH - People Attempting to Help, and a past President of the Tyler Young Professionals Network. Austin and his wife, Shelby, attend the Chapel of Saints Peter & Paul and are expecting their first child in November.
On The Issues
Austin believes that the best government is the one that isn’t always on your mind, because it is doing its job efficiently. As Commissioner, he will:
Pursue Property Tax Relief:
Keep budgets limited to grow only as much as household incomes. As a property tax consultant, Austin has helped property owners reduce appraisals by over $20 million.
Support Smarter Spending:
Review expenditures, not just taxes. Look for transparent vendors and seek best practices from other counties across the state.
Be Brilliant at the Basics:
Remain laser focused on the services Smith County citizens depend on, like roads & bridges, public safety, and a strong justice system.
Encourage Economic Growth:
Focus on recruiting industries that pay high wages and sell outside the county, reducing homeowners’ tax burden.
Show Up. Listen. Deliver:
Local government works best when people know who to call…and when that person answers.
Austin Has The Experience And Work Ethic That Smith County Needs
Proven Service: Texas State Guard member serving since 2021 & hands-on leader during real emergencies.
Experienced Property Manager: Oversees complex properties, budgets, and maintenance programs — skills that translate directly to Smith County operations.
Proud Conservative: Founder of Smith County Young Republicans, delegate to Texas State Republican Convention, dedicated block walker for Republican candidates up and down the ballot.
Hands-On Leader: When problems hit, Austin doesn’t delegate; he personally shows up and handles it.
Austin’s Supporters
Mike Adams
Drue & Sarah Allen
Nick Baker
Cindy Baker-Rudd
Former Mayor Barbara Bass
Eric & LeeAnna Berry
Blake & Mackenzie Bevill
Kenneth & Louanne Bibby
Judy Bliss
Scott Bowen
Bob & Lisa Breedlove
Councilman Zak Briscoe
Herb Buie
Robin Buie
Phil & Bobbie Burks
Aaron & Jade Burks
Matt & Megan Burns
Darren & Macy Cable
Susan Campbell
Bruce & Jackie Cannon
April Chennault
Grant Conaway
Ted Conover
Conservative Action PAC
Bill & Donna Croom
Shannon Dacus
Marcia Daughtrey
Creager Davis
Diane DeVasto
Stephen & Danielle Dinger
Brody & Cortni Dunn
Chairman Kevin Eltife
Chris & Kelly Favre
Brian & Elizabeth Feiden
Lance Fenton
Darrell Forster
Casey Foster
Former Commissioner Pam Frederick
Buddy & Amy Furqueron
Don Garrett
Randy & Marcia Garrett
Alejando Guana
Denise Gilbert
Terry Giles
Jordan Giles
Patrick & Allyson Glaze
John & Karen Goforth
Malcolm & Michele Goforth
Trey Graham
Greater Tyler Association of Realtors
Andy & Beth Guinn
Fritz & Sarina Hager
Clark Hampe
Detrese Harkey
Former Councilman Georgia Harris
Riley Harris
Tiffany Hawkins
Steve Herber
Billy Hibbs
Andria Horton
Steve & Rhonda Hudson
Gaylord Hughey, Jr.
Philip Humber
Mary Elizabeth Jackson
Jeff & Melissa Jackson
Allen Johnson
Joshua & Jill Johnson
Jarad & Jennifer Kent
Anwar Khalifa
David & Janis King
Misty Kinnet
Jim Lambeth
Todd & Diane Lay
Councilman Matt Lazarine
Todd & Chelsea Lockman
Luke & Amber Lockman
Mayor Terry Lowry
Bretton Mariani
Aaron Martinez
Andrew Mathews
Thomas Matthews
Miles & Bridgit McCrary
Rich & Trisha McGuire
Thomas McNutt
Robert & Rachel Means
Larry & Suzanne Melhart
David & Michelle Melton
Brooks Melton
Former Councilman Sam Mezayek
Aaron Mitchell
Jamal & Marilyn Moharer
Commissioner John Moore
Ben & Maggie Moore
Noah Morris
Allen & Melinda Morris
Tristan Mosher
Nick Moss
James Murphy
Dillon & Ashley Myrick
Daniel Nagore
Jim & Willa Nipp
Former Commissioner Cary Nix
Bonnie Palmer
Bill Paschal
Aaron Paul
Chelsea Payne
Bob Peppard
Jim & Margaret Perkins
Diane Pitchford
District Attorney Jacob Putman
Tony & Jamie Rhorer
Sheryl Rogers Palmer
DJ & Molly Saenz
Former State Representative Matt Schaefer
John Scritchfield
Angie Shires
Collin & Holly Shull
Gene & Virginia Shull
Patrick Smallwood
Karen Smith
Garrett Smith
Sheriff Larry Smith
Chad & Kimberly Smotherman
David Sonka
John Soules, Sr.
David & Linda Stanfield
Jay & Annalisa Senklyft
Susan Stuart
Ashley Tackett
Micah Tarry
Samuel Tarry
Texas Homeschool Coalition
Texas Realtors PAC
Mark Tiller
Chelci Townsend
Rob Trimble III
Michael Wallace
John & Rebecca Wampler
Mayor James Wansley
Former Commissioner Jeff Warr
Mayor Don Warren
Patrick Willis
Alex & Sharie Withers
Wendy Woodall-Parks
Councilman Chris Woolsey
Cheryl Wulf
