BEAUMONT, Texas — Republican Kate Carroll will become Jefferson County’s next Tax Assessor-Collector after winning in the general election on Tuesday.
Carroll beat Democrat Rashawn "Shawn" Webb-Locke.
She defeated Webb-Locke by winning 44,818 votes, or 54.85% of the votes in the general election. Webb-Locke received 36,897 votes or 45.15% of the vote.
During the campaign both Carroll and Webb-Locke told 12News they are qualified for the job and comfortable with managing money including a large budget like the county’s.
"They should vote for me because again, they will have a dedicated professional that is running the office," Carroll said during her campaign.
It's more than just collecting taxes Carroll explained at the time.
"You're budgeting for 29 taxing entities within Jefferson County,” Carroll explained, “So the tax office is responsible for making sure every penny collected is dedicated out and goes where it needs to be.”
During her campaign Carroll noted that her experience was her advantage.
"My varied background in all sorts of different financial positions, puts me at an advantage to run the county,” she said, “and to be that one who negotiates between the county commissioners, the county judge, the clerks. And make sure that the county is run efficiently and effectively.”
Carroll explained during the campaign that she had previously balanced the budget and handled billing for an ambulance company she started.
She's also served as an executive director of the Baptist Hospital Foundation.
