This week, challenger Matt Shaheen defeated incumbent Phyllis Cole for a seat on the Collin County Commissioner’s Court. Ms. Cole has been in office for 18 years and represents parts of Plano and Frisco in Precinct 1.

This race was closely contested, sometimes contentious, and finally decided in a runoff. Ms. Cole won a three-person Republican primary race but failed to gain the 50 percent plus one of the vote necessary to prevent a runoff. With no Democratic opponent in November, Mr. Shaheen is guaranteed now to take office in January 2009.

To help Collin County voters get to know their new county commissioner, I asked Mr. Shaheen for an interview. He was gracious with his time and willingly provided information regarding his background and goals for the future.

I hope this interview gives you some of the information you need to understand our newly elected county commissioner. As always, I encourage you to vote your values and to let your voices be heard at the ballot box and by being involved with your local governments. Remember, those elected officials work for you.

You can find out more information about Matt Shaheen by visiting www.mattshaheen.com. Please see below my questions for Commissioner-elect Shaheen and his answers.

TG: Tell us about your background and qualifications for county commissioner. MS: I’ve been in technology and management consulting for 19 years and will apply that experience to make county government more efficient. I’m also an appointee of Gov. Rick Perry to a state board and I’ve served on Plano city commissions (Community Relations and Transition Revitalization). I have an undergraduate degree in business/economics and a master’s from SMU.

TG: What led you to join this race?

MS: I am concerned about the Republican Party’s drift away from President Reagan’s core principles. I was also raised by my parents to serve others. Additionally, I received lots of encouragement from friends and family.

TG: As a first time candidate, what did you learn about politics during this race?

MS: There is no way I would have won this race without the love and support of my wife. She was constantly with me, always supportive and worked hard.

TG: What are your priorities for your first term in office?

MS: (1) Property tax relief for Collin County families, (2) beginning the process to work with the state legislature to implement term limits, (3) setting up a “Citizens Government Efficiency Board” to provide recommendations on how county government can run better.

TG: You take office on Jan. 1, 2009. What will you do for the next eight months?

MS: Strengthen existing relationships and establish new relationships with leaders in Plano and Frisco so I can hit the ground running as commissioner in January 2009. I have already reached out to the other members of the Commissioner’s Court and to County Judge Keith Self.

TG: You have described yourself as a “Reagan Conservative.” What does that mean?

MS: President Reagan stood for limiting the growth of government and tax relief. With my business background, I will be able to improve the efficiency of county government and restrain spending to return hard earned dollars back to Collin County voters.

TG: What changes need to be made in Collin County government?

MS: More citizen involvement is needed and that is why I will work to establish the Citizens Government Efficiency Board. I will also work to have more meetings in the evenings to expand citizen involvement. I also believe salaries for commissioners are too high and will work to turn back the last pay raise.

TG: You have pledged to cut taxes. Why do you think lower taxes are needed and how will you do that?

MS: Lower taxes are needed because they have grown at an unacceptable rate resulting from growing appraisal values. There are hundreds of new taxpayers moving to Collin County each week and appraisal values continue to grow, although at a slower rate due to the slowing economy. These two facts, coupled with a more efficient government, will provide opportunities for tax relief for Collin County families.

TG: Your opponent, Phyllis Cole, was deeply committed to providing health care to all Collin County citizens. Do you support that goal and how would you work to achieve it?

MS: Absolutely. I know Ms. Cole is very proud of the work she does in the area of healthcare and she should be. As a mother and grandmother, I know she deeply cares about the quality of life for Collin County citizens and she is a leader in this area. I support this goal as well. County government is mandated by our state constitution to provide health care to the indigent. I believe we need to look beyond the capacity of county government and look for involvement from the many health care companies in Collin County to help address this issue.

TG: How will you make yourself accessible to Collin County voters?

MS: I will push to have a greater number of Commissioner’s Court meetings in the evenings and I will also work to expand the number of citizen boards at the county level. I will always be an email or phone call away.

TG: Will you be able to work effectively with County Judge Self and the other commissioners?

MS: Absolutely. I have already reached out to the members of the Commissioner’s Court and to Judge Self to strengthen my relationships and discuss working together.

TG: Do you have any political goals beyond Collin County? If so, what are they?

MS: None. God willing, I will serve two or three terms and re-enter the private sector.

TG: How will your Christian faith influence your work in politics?

MS: My walk with Christ influences my entire life and politics will be no different. I believe God has given me certain gifts and talents that apply to public life and I often pray for wisdom.

Trey Graham is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Melissa and the author of “Lessons for the Journey” and “Light for the Journey.” He can be reached at trey@firstmelissa.com. “Faith Walk with Trey Graham” can be heard at 6:30 p.m. weekdays on KTXG (90.5 FM). “Smart Talk with Trey Graham” can be heard at noon Saturdays and 8 p.m. Sundays on KTXG.