Lubbock County voters will elect a new county clerk on Nov. 3 to replace Kelly Pinion, who is retiring after holding the office continuously since 2007.
Republican Sandy Garcia and Democrat Kerri Poeling Padilla are competing for the position.
What does the county clerk do?
According to the Texas Association of Counties, the county clerk is responsible for maintaining public records, including all bonds, deeds, birth and death certificates, assumed names and livestock brands. They also issue marriage licenses.
Pinion said the county clerk also maintains records for the county commissioners court and is responsible for publishing the minutes and agenda items; however, she said the recording of each meeting is published through a third party.
Sandy Garcia, Republican
Experience
- Has worked in the Lubbock County clerk's office since 2001, giving her 25 years of experience.
- Began working in the criminal division, processing misdemeanor court records and filings.
- Currently serves as office manager while continuing to work in the criminal division.
- Previously worked as a receptionist and legal secretary for criminal defense law firms.
Campaign Priorities
- Expanding electronic access to public documents while protecting residents' personal information.
- Fill vacant positions to reduce the workload on existing employees.
- Streamline workflow while following existing state laws and procedures.
Under The Texas Election Code, specific clerk experience is not required, but Garcia said her years with the office are her greatest qualification because of her knowledge of the state law that governs the office and the relationships she has built with court staff.
“We work so closely with our courts, we have that relationship where I can go to them and say, ‘Hey, this is not working, this is what's going on, can we figure out another solution?’” Garcia said.
Garcia said residents have asked why more county records are not available online.
According to the county, residents can search for certain documents through the county's online systems, but many document images must be requested from the clerk's office or viewed in person.
Garcia said expanding access would require collaboration with IT staff, the district attorney's office and the commissioners court.
"I plan on having conversations with them," Garcia said. "That would be a conversation that would need to be had throughout the year, to see if there's funding to be had, where the funding could come from."
In her position as office manager, Garcia said staffing shortages remain a challenge, and that is high on the priority list.
“In this economy, you need money,” Garcia said. “Our budget's already set, a lot of people do not want to work for what we are able to pay, so trying to hire right now is extremely difficult”
Kerri Poeling Padilla, Democrat
Experience
- Has 25 years of experience working in health care.
- Graduated from Covenant School of Nursing in 2007.
- Has worked as a nurse and case manager, including in cardiac and behavioral health care.
- Has experience managing medical records and transitioning paper documents to electronic systems.
- Has experience managing dorms of health care patients.
Campaign priorities
- Improve electronic access to county documents.
- Explore mobile clerk services or transportation assistance for residents who have difficulty traveling to the courthouse.
- Improve staff retention and advocate for better wages.
- Make the clerk's office more visible to residents through social media and explore ways to share Lubbock County's history, possibly through local museums.
Padilla said her experience in health care has exposed her to what it is like to manage records.
Padilla said she wants to learn from her staff while also supporting them as their county clerk.
Padilla said she has experienced staffing shortages due to low wages throughout her career and wants to advocate for higher pay for county clerk employees if elected.
"I'll fight with everybody to get a higher wage for anybody that deserves it, and most definitely where I work," said Padilla.
Padilla said she has not discussed her ideas or concerns with employees currently working at the Lubbock county clerk's office.
Padilla said it is important to have different political viewpoints represented in Lubbock County government.
“It matters in this election most definitely, because we haven't had equal representation in this county for 30-plus years in any office,” said Padilla.
Work to come for the new county clerk
Lubbock County Clerk Kelly Pinion at the Lubbock County Courthouse in Lubbock, Texas, on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
Kelly Pinion, Lubbock County's current county clerk, began working in the clerk's office in 1983, serving as a deputy clerk for 12 years before leaving in 1995 to operate a records research business and then ultimately returning in 2007 to serve as county clerk.
Pinion said in retirement she plans to open a custom baked goods shop and travel to Ireland.
Pinion said the next county clerk will inherit several ongoing projects, including efforts to preserve and digitize historical records.
One project Pinion hopes will continue is making historical Lubbock County Commissioners Court records available online.
"The historical commissioners court records, that's currently going on," Pinion said. "I had hoped to have that one finished before I left, but I expect it will continue and it will still get done."
Pinion said whether the project remains a priority could depend on the next clerk.
"I can only hope so," Pinion said. "It very well could be contingent on who takes office and what their priorities are. Mine was saving the records and preserving them and keeping that history."
Pinion said she wants the office to continue working with the IT department to add security cameras at service counters to protect workers and record disputes.
Pinion said for Garcia, she “would hope that she would give me a call,” if she has a question.
Regarding Padilla, Pinion said, “She could probably call me, but I plan on doing some traveling, and I might not be too available.”
Whoever voters elect on Nov. 3 will be responsible for overseeing the county’s public records, continuing ongoing projects, and deciding what changes to make to an office Pinion has held for nearly two decades.