Meet the Candidates for: Texas County Circuit Clerk

UPDATED VERSION: The original posting omitted the final 5 paragraphs of Incumbent Erin Smith’s submission. We apologize for the error.

Editor’s Note: Incumbents and candidates for county offices were contacted and asked to submit a short article regarding their attributes and campaign. Opposed races in the upcoming primary election will be presented first. This week’s incumbent and candidate are competing for the office of Texas County Circuit Clerk in the Republican primary on Tuesday, August 4.

Incumbent Erin Smith:

Erin Smith proudly serves as the Circuit Clerk of Texas County and is seeking re-election to continue providing professional, transparent, and accountable leadership for the citizens of Texas County.

Erin brings more than 15 years of experience in Missouri’s court system, working in both the 25th and 37th Judicial Circuits and the Office of State Courts Administrator. She has built a career focused on improving court operations, protecting the integrity of judicial records, and ensuring compliance with Missouri law. Erin is also an active member of the Missouri Professional Association of Court Clerks (MOPACC), serves as Region 7 Vice President of the Missouri Circuit Clerks Association (MCCA), and is a graduate of the Missouri Court Management Institute, earning the prestigious Certified Court Manager designation from the National Center for State Courts.

Since taking office in 2023, Erin has worked to ensure the Circuit Clerk’s Office operates in compliance with Missouri law, Supreme Court rules, and local court rules. She believes strongly in the separation of powers and that the Circuit Clerk’s Office should be administered by the elected Circuit Clerk and guided by the law, while protecting both public access and the privacy rights of citizens.

Erin has overseen several major initiatives that have improved court operations and public service.

Under Erin’s leadership, the office implemented remote public access to court records in 2023 and initiated electronic warrants in 2024, modernizing court operations and improving service to the public and law enforcement. Committed to fairness and justice, Erin oversaw the expungement of more than 750 marijuana cases, ensuring individuals received the relief provided under Missouri law. She also successfully administered the transfer of the Houston Municipal Court to the Texas County Circuit Court, ensuring a smooth transition and continued service to the public.

Erin has guided the court through significant periods of transition, including the arrival of three different Associate Circuit Judges since 2023 and the addition of a third Circuit Judge to the circuit in December 2024. Throughout these changes, she has remained committed to maintaining efficient court operations and uninterrupted service to the public.

Financial accountability has been a cornerstone of Erin’s leadership. She brought court financial records back into balance, addressed more than $3.9 million in jail costs dating back to the March 19, 2019 Supreme Court of Missouri opinion, submitted over $15,000 in outstanding checks to Missouri’s unclaimed property division for the first time since 2018, and implemented the collection of jury costs through tried cases to increase revenue for the county.

Working with the Texas County Commission, Erin helped raise seated juror pay from $6.00 to $18.00 per day and restructured jury procedures and practices to make the system more efficient and respectful of jurors’ time.

Internally, Erin established continuous staff training, implemented policies promoting timely work practices, improved workflow processes, eliminated backlogs, and brought the office into compliance with applicable laws and court rules.

Through dedication, integrity, and proven leadership, Erin remains committed to preserving the independence of the judiciary, protecting confidential information, maintaining transparency where required by law, and ensuring the Circuit Clerk’s Office continues to serve Texas County with integrity, professionalism, and accountability.

Erin respectfully asks for your support and vote for re-election as Texas County Circuit Clerk.

Candidate Heather Stark-Reynolds:

I am a lifelong resident of Houston, deeply rooted in the community where I chose to work and raise my family. My husband, Kenneth Reynolds, serves as a Sergeant with the Texas County Sheriff’s Office, and we are parents of six children. I am the daughter of the late Ray and Marie Stark, of Houston, and I have always believed in giving back to the place that shaped me. I regularly organize and participate in programs that support and strengthen our community.

My educational background includes more than 140 college hours at Drury University, focused on criminal justice and its administration. For the past 16 years, I have served in administrative roles within the Texas County Sheriff’s Office, working directly with the public, law firms, and multiple county and state offices. This experience has given me a deep understanding of how our judicial and administrative systems function because I have spent my career actively working within them.

Some of my training includes records retention, sunshine law, and grant writing, and I routinely process paperwork across all offices in the judicial system. I have helped guide the office through major changes in technology and program development.

I am committed to being a leader in the office who is present, accessible, and responsive regardless of how early the days begin, or how long they last. Many urgent matters arise after hours, and I already handle several of these responsibilities. I understand how critical timely responses are when documents must reach a judge or another office without delay. I care about doing things the right way—paying attention to the details that matter, returning calls, maintaining accurate records, and making sure people understand their next steps.

I am known for building strong working relationships and fostering open communication across departments, which is essential for an efficient and successful system. I believe in leading by example and creating a team environment where everyone is supported and trained to succeed. A well-functioning system is never the work of one person—it is the result of a committed team.

I will ensure the courts operate with respect, timely filings, and strong support for staff. I will maintain an office that serves every citizen and every agency that relies on the judicial system. Texas County deserves a clerk who is present, dependable, and dedicated to fairness and respect. My experience, training, and years of public service reflect that commitment.

I would be honored to have your support and your vote on August 4th for Circuit Court Clerk.