Joshua Grant

05/19/2026

40 Reasons I’m Proudly Casting My Vote for Sydney Brown Murphy County Judge, and 3 Reasons I’m NOT Voting for Larry Pfeil.

I didn’t know Sydney Murphy very well until my own campaign for Mayor of Livingston. What stood out immediately was her genuine willingness to listen and her eagerness to hear new ideas no matter who brought them. She showed real openness and a collaborative spirit that is rare in politics. When her son, who it’s no secret I’m not a fan of, made disparaging comments about my personal life, she took the time to track down my number, call me, and personally apologize despite it not being her fault or responsibility, saying, “That’s not who we are as a family and that’s not who I am as a person.” That moment spoke volumes about her integrity, humility, and commitment to doing what is right. That aside, I don’t vote on emotions. While no leader will ever satisfy every person’s wants and needs, and I have not agreed with everything the county does, Sydney leads with compassion, grit, and a deep sense of personal accountability. She treats people with respect, owns challenges head-on, and puts Polk County first. That is the kind of character we need in our County Judge.

Here are 40 reasons I’m proudly voting for Sydney Murphy tomorrow:

1. Inherited a $1.4 million budget deficit in January 2015 and turned it around within two years while protecting jobs and services.

2. Has delivered balanced budgets every year as the county’s Chief Budget Officer.

3. Earned the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award every year for outstanding budget transparency.

4. Earned the GFOA Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for high accounting standards.

5. Secured and managed more than $46 million in competitive external grants across multiple categories.

6. Received the 2025 TxDOT Road Hand Award for exceptional transportation leadership.

7. Advanced major highway corridors including I-69, I-14, and US 287 through TxDOT partnerships.

8. Oversaw historic courthouse restoration using grant funds while modernizing other county facilities.

9. Serves effectively as County Emergency Management Director with timely disaster coordination.

10. Obtained dedicated flood mitigation grants that lower long-term recovery costs for residents.

11. Upgraded core county technology systems for better daily administrative efficiency.

12. Improved real-time communication systems between emergency responders and county offices.

13. Launched eco-tourism and economic development efforts including Houston Wilderness partnerships.

14. Strengthened regional collaboration through organizations like DETCOG for added resources.

15. Provided targeted homestead property tax relief without compromising core services.

16. Brings more than ten years of combined executive, legislative, judicial, and administrative experience.

17. Possesses genuine local insight as a lifelong Polk County resident and parent who raised her family here.

18. Consistently admits mistakes publicly, corrects them, and applies the lessons learned.

19. Actively defends the dignity and contributions of every county employee regardless of position.

20. Understands that Commissioners are duly elected independent representatives for their precincts and gives them the due deference to make decisions for their constituents rather than attempting to dictate outcomes.

21. Prioritized long-term road, bridge, and drainage projects for lasting infrastructure resilience.

22. Expanded rural broadband access to support education, telehealth, and business growth.

23. Improved county water systems and waste management with grant-supported upgrades.

24. Supported community beautification, recycling programs, and public transit enhancements.

25. Actively partners with groups like the Historical Commission and Alabama-Coushatta Tribe.

26. Implemented strategic pay increases since 2021 to compete for and retain quality employees.

27. Quickly funded and filled six new jail positions during an early-term staffing crisis.

28. Successfully managed increased service demands from county population growth.

29. Introduced process improvements that produce measurable time and cost savings.

30. Cultivated stronger federal and state relationships that open doors for future funding.

31. Preserved full employee benefits during both the 2015 shortfall and 2020–2021 disruptions.

32. Approaches problems with holistic solutions that address multiple issues at once.

33. Achieved national recognition for rigorous budget accountability and detail.

34. Proactively secured mitigation funding to protect taxpayers from future natural disasters.

35. Maintains an open-door, approachable leadership style that welcomes resident input.

36. Fully understands that Commissioners Court meets twice a month and has the depth of knowledge required for its demands, unlike her opponent who only recently learned this basic fact.

37. Championed public safety enhancements beyond minimum statutory requirements.

38. Reduced county debt by more than $18 million through disciplined fiscal management, freeing up future resources for residents.

39. Maintained strong credit ratings (A+ from S&P and A2 from Moody’s) while demonstrating fiscal discipline that supports favorable borrowing terms and saved the citizens MILLIONS in interest.

40. Delivered a clear, measurable legacy of turning inherited challenges into stability, grant success, wage growth, infrastructure progress, and operational excellence.

Three reasons I’m not voting for Larry Pfeil:

1. He seems like a nice guy personally and I have absolutely nothing against him, but he has allowed his campaign to be hijacked by a small group of trashy-acting, ulterior-motivated actors who spend their days on social media bashing anyone who disagrees with them and stroking each other’s already inflated egos. That kind of toxic environment does not reflect the leadership Polk County needs and does not reflect the kind of community I want to call home.

2. He has presented no substantial, clearly articulated plans for moving the county forward, just constant criticisms without viable alternatives or detailed solutions.

3. He has run a very populist campaign, playing into the emotions of those who, for the most part, do not actively participate in our civic process, do not understand the inner-workings of our local government, and have not the first clue of what it takes to make this county run. While there are certainly some very educated people, some of whom I know and respect, voting for Larry, there is simply no denying the populist rousing that has turned an otherwise weak candidate into a formidable contender. Such is our democratic republic.

Sydney has the character, experience, and proven track record. I’m proud to cast my vote for her tomorrow in the runoff and even more proud to consider someone of such high caliber and integrity a friend. Join me if you want steady, effective leadership for Polk County!

03/16/2026

Lol. When Sniggle wants you to believe that 61% of Polk County voted, you know the author’s math isn’t mathing. But this is par for the course for them. The irony of talking about the collective vote of “real people” when leaving out the fact that only 21.83% of polk county’s registered voters actually voted or even could vote for county judge due to semi-closed primaries. So for all you that didn’t vote on a Republican ballot, you’re not part of the county by their logic. Keep that in mind.

Campaign priorities according to Larry Pfeil:

• Step 1: Populist platform with no plan
• Step 2: Deploy the meme squad
• Step 3: Let these guys do the lifting
• Step 4: Let the squad emotionally manipulate you for disagreeing

Why vote for consistency when you can have… this?

[SATIRE]

03/16/2026

Campaign priorities according to Larry Pfeil:

• Step 1: Populist platform with no plan
• Step 2: Deploy the meme squad
• Step 3: Let these guys do the lifting
• Step 4: Let the squad emotionally manipulate you for disagreeing

Why vote for consistency when you can have… this?

[SATIRE]

03/15/2026

Larry Pfeil for Polk County Judge: the guy and his ilk who want you foaming at the mouth over stuff you don’t understand, because nothing says “leadership” like weaponizing ignorance for votes.

03/02/2026

Tomorrow is election day and I’m encouraging everyone to get out and vote to re-elect Sydney Brown Murphy for County Judge as I believe she is the best choice for our county moving forward.

This may come as a shock to some, given my own campaign to unseat a deeply entrenched “good ol’ boy” politician during my bid for mayor. I ran on a platform of shaking up the status quo and bringing fresh perspective to local government. Reasonable people can disagree on many things in politics, and I respect those who see the race differently, but Sydney has proven herself to be anything but an established “good ol’ boy” in my eyes.

I’m someone who pays extremely close attention to the goings-on of our government, both locally and nationally. I follow the details closely and have a solid understanding of how things actually work. What I’ve seen from her opponent’s side has often involved a handful of people practically running his PR for him skewing reality, actively twisting or interpreting actuality to fit a narrative or an agenda, and taking advantage of people’s limited understanding of our county’s governance structure and the reasons behind certain policies. While I’ve seen numerous criticisms from Larry Pfeil’s campaign, I’ve yet to see or hear an actual plan of action. Instead, I’ve seen a populist message that catches traction without actionable substance. I’m sure Larry is a nice guy, and we agree on much on a base philosophical level, but he has not done a thorough enough job explaining how he would or could do anything differently that shows the public any sort of actual plan.

It’s easy to criticize without explaining the full context of budgets, state requirements, commissioners court dynamics, economies of scale for services like road maintenance or emergency response, the long-term planning needed for capital projects, the realities of managing growth in a county like ours, or the necessary trade-offs involved in balancing limited resources while keeping taxes reasonable and services effective.

Under Judge Murphy’s leadership since 2015, Polk County has experienced some of the most expansive growth in its history, with steady increases in population, taxable values, and development driving demand for infrastructure, services, and economic opportunities. She has overseen this growth responsibly by consistently delivering balanced budgets year after year, often without dipping into reserves, while earning awards for budget presentation and financial reporting excellence. Starting from a significant deficit when she took office, she stabilized finances, protected jobs and benefits, and positioned the county for sustainable progress. She has made the process of governance transparent and accessible, engaging openly with citizens, explaining decisions clearly, and prioritizing accountability in how taxpayer dollars are managed amid this expansion.

I don’t view Sydney as a “good ol’ boy” politician. She has earned her position through results, not through old networks or backroom deals. Her approach is straightforward, data-driven, and focused on what actually works for the county rather than protecting entrenched interests.

Although I haven’t known Sydney for years the way some folks have, every time I’ve reached out to speak with her or meet, whether it was when I was running for mayor or on other occasions, she has been kind, genuine, and completely transparent. She listens carefully and responds thoughtfully. She has always shown true poise, particularly throughout this campaign, and a real concern for the citizens of this county, putting people first in her approach.

Like anyone, none of us will ever agree with 100 percent of the policies or decisions that come from our elected officials. I’ve had no hesitation in sharing with Judge Murphy some of the things I disagree with, and she’s handled those conversations openly and respectfully. That kind of accessibility and willingness to engage matters a great deal to me.
In my view, she is clearly the better choice for County Judge. She brings steady leadership, a focus on the facts, and a commitment to keeping Polk County moving in the right direction for all of us.

Some of you may not like this, but i really don’t care. I vote my conscience and on the candidate’s demonstrated record and PLANS, and I encourage everyone in Polk County to get out and vote for Sydney Murphy. Your voice matters in this election. Make it count on Election Day!

12/18/2025

I like the guy’s general philosophy, but I’m not getting onboard with this. Let’s be honest, STR registration and enforcement gets sold as “easy money,” but that’s not reality, and it’s not something I’d support just because it sounds good at face value.

Most of the taxes people claim are being missed are already being collected. Airbnb, for instance, already collects and remits local hotel occupancy taxes automatically as a matter of registering as a host. The idea that there’s a huge pool of untapped STR tax revenue just isn’t true on the whole.

These programs also cost money to run. Registration systems, enforcement, complaints, inspections, legal challenges (which you would have), and staff time all add up. In a county like Polk, with rentals scattered around the lake and rural areas, those costs will eat into whatever revenue is being promised.

What actually happens next is predictable: costs get passed on to guests. Hosts don’t absorb them forever. Raise nightly rates enough and people stop coming altogether or as often. Tourism is one of the few real economic lifelines Polk County has due to the lake and nearby casino. Those visitors spend money at local restaurants, marinas, gas stations, shops, and service businesses. That economic impact is worth far more than the small amount of extra revenue a duplicative STR program might bring in.

Before talking about creating new layers of fees and enforcement, the county should be cutting excess fat and ending superfluous pet projects, like the courthouse across from the brand new fully functioning….courthouse. Don’t go after one of the few industries actually bringing outside money into the county to make up for internal budget problems.

For context, I own two short-term rentals in the area, I already comply with the rules, and taxes are already being remitted. I will fight tooth and nail against duplicative or redundant taxation that adds cost without adding value. I’ve even been asked to inventory personal property inside my rentals for county taxation, which shows how absurd this idea is on top of already existing requirements.

I’m not against reasonable rules. I am against piling costs onto tourism, one of the only engines this county has due to our leaders’ lack of innovative or competitive initiatives to bring in more varied industries and sustainable, good-paying jobs and instead of fixing spending and priorities first.

12/15/2025

Register to vote!! I’m excited to see new challengers stepping forward to take on incumbents and/or run for important county roles in the upcoming elections! This surge of fresh energy and commitment to new ideas and greater accountability is truly inspiring for our local government.

What’s particularly fascinating is watching people emerge from the woodwork now passionately advocating for change and shaking up the status quo. It’s eye-opening to see those who fiercely opposed my effort to bring something different now eagerly calling for the same kind of change on the county level. It’s also intriguing to see some of the more weighty voices in our county that stayed notably silent despite supporting me idealogically from the shadows during my mayoral run, whether they were city residents or not, which could have lent real influence to the cause of stronger, more accountable leadership and greater city/county cooperation in the future. Clearly the hand of Providence knows best, ordering events for the ultinate good.

Better late than never! Glad they’re joining the fight. Whether you’re voting for the incumbent or the challenger, this election will be exciting! 🗳️💪

11/11/2025

Happy Veterans Day to all the brothers and sisters I had the privilege of serving with in the armed forces. I also thank all those I didn’t know who have served both past and present, and all my family members who have served our country in the past:

Nicolas Grant - War on Terror, Iraq
Andrew Perkins - War on Terror, died in Iraq
Sterling Grant - WWII, Pacific theater
Otis Grant - WWII, died in Thüringen, Germany
William Robert Stephens - WWI
Joshua Cordelia Stephens - American Civil War
William Richard Glass - American Civil War
Solomon Seaberry Henson - American Civil War
William Augustus Bridge - American Civil War
Samuel Bridge - War of 1812
William Burdine Grant - War of 1812
Major Nathaniel Wofford - War of American Independence
Colonel William Wofford - War of American Independence
Captain William Grant Sr. - War of American Independence
Joshua Stephens - War of American Independence
John Henson - War of 1812, War of American Independence

09/10/2025

What the hell is wrong with our country?? We have a serious cultural problem in this country. RIP Charlie Kirk, and God be with Evergreen, CO, a town that is near and dear to my youth.

At Evergreen High School, children’s lives changed forever. At Utah Valley University, Charlie Kirk was senselessly assassinated while speaking to a crowd. It’s tempting to ask who is to blame. But maybe the harder truth is that blame belongs to all of us. We built a culture where anger became easier than understanding. Where violence is valued over discourse. Where silence feels safer than standing up, and where it’s now more convenient to go about our lives enjoying our luxuries and privileges than fighting to preserve them. And the truth is… next week it will likely be something different. Another tragedy, another headline. We’ll all gasp and send our social media thoughts and prayers, deigning to care for a fleeting moment, then go on about our lives until the next one.

That cycle of outrage, grief, and forgetting is part of what keeps us here. If we want change, it starts with addressing a serious cultural issue in our country and owning the role we’ve all played by turning a blind eye to our nation’s decay.

06/02/2025

Imagine that. Amazing what a federal lawsuit that doesn’t appear to be going in their favor will do. The citizens have only been asking for this for 2 years. Better late than never.

04/21/2025

Excited about our second Airbnb here in town!

North Street Cottage