Ashby running to keep precinct 4 spot

By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

A county commissioner in Texas usually has to run for office every four years, but Coryell County precinct 4 incumbent Ray Ashby finds himself running two years after his first run for office in 2016. 
Ashby was in a three-way race against Wyllis Ament, who had been appointed to fill the position after former commissioner Justin Latham stepped down to become the county’s road and bridge coordinator. After winning the 2016 campaign in a run-off, Ashby continued to serve the remainder of Latham’s unexpired term. 
Prior to working as a commissioner, Ashby taught for Gatesville ISD for 14 years and is currently also a youth pastor. He said he’s gained a new perspective since taking office. 
“There is a lot of investigative work that goes into the decision-making process, and not everything is as simple as it appears,” Ashby said. “There are a lot of hardworking people who strive to make Coryell County the best that it can be. I am blessed to be a part of the decision-making process for our county.”
Ashby also sits on the nine-member Board of Trustees for Central Counties Services, which is the mental health authority of five Central Texas counties. He also serves on the board of directors for Hill Country Community Action Association, which has over the local Head Start programs, Meals on Wheels programs, Senior Centers, RSVP programs and community centers in a nine-county region in Central Texas.
In Coryell County, Ashby is a member of the Gatesville Lions Club, a member of G.A.S.M (Gatesville Area Student Ministry) which is a group of local youth pastors that are known for the yearly D-NOW event (Disciple-Now) for local youth. 
“I actively listen to the people of Coryell County and respond with open and honest communication. I work hard to keep our taxes low while attempting to meet the budgetary needs of the departments of the county.”
This year, he is the incumbent challenged by Keith Taylor of Jonesboro. Both he and Taylor will be at a candidate forum set for 6:30 this evening at the Coryell County Justice Center, located at 210 S. 1st St. in Copperas Cove.