As the campaign season begins to take shape in Liberty County, Republican candidate Richard Himburg is making his case to voters in Precinct 2 before the March 3 primary election. In a recent interview for the Bluebonnet News Headlines and Heartlines podcast, Himburg spoke about his background, the concerns he is hearing from residents, and why he believes now is the right time to seek office.
Himburg is a lifelong resident of Liberty County, and he says that deep connection to the community is what ultimately motivated him to step forward and run.
His career has been rooted in public service. He began in law enforcement with Cleveland Police Department and later served with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office. He currently works for the Franklin Police Department, located northeast of College Station.
In addition to his law enforcement experience, Himburg has spent 13 years serving with the North Liberty County Fire Department. He recently joined South Polk County and was voted in as president of that department. When asked whether public service defines him, his answer was direct: it does.
According to Himburg, he has had numerous conversations with residents who feel their concerns are not being adequately addressed. He pointed to the Romayor bridge washout two years ago as a pivotal moment. During that time, he began posting regular updates and photos to keep the public informed on progress. The effort eventually led to a brief interview with Houston media, but more importantly, it strengthened his connection with community members who appreciated consistent communication.
He says the issues he hears about most often are roads and drainage. From Cleveland and Romayor to Tarkington and surrounding areas, residents express frustration over potholes, repeated patchwork repairs, and water that fails to drain properly after heavy rainfall. In low-lying neighborhoods such as Horseshoe Lake Estates, New River Lake Estates, and Sam Houston Lake Estates, flooding creates even more challenges.
Himburg says he recognizes the financial constraints that come with the commissioner’s role. He noted that Precinct 2 operates on a little more than $4 million annually, with approximately $870,000 allocated for road materials. With exorbitant road construction costs, he said thoughtful prioritization is essential. For him, safety would be the guiding principle in determining which projects move forward.
Beyond his work in public safety, Himburg also owns a business that outfits police and emergency vehicles with lights, consoles, bumpers, and other specialized equipment. He said managing his own company has provided practical budgeting experience. His off-duty traffic control work has also placed him alongside TxDOT crews and utility providers, giving him firsthand exposure to road construction and infrastructure projects.
During the interview, Himburg emphasized that the commissioner’s responsibilities extend beyond approving a budget. Roads and drainage, he said, are central to the job, along with maintaining county resources that residents rely on daily. In his view, safe infrastructure forms the foundation of the community.
The discussion also touched on emergency medical services. With the county currently operating under a contract for services, Himburg said he would be open to examining alternative solutions, possibly modeled after an Emergency Services District. He suggested that a sales tax component could distribute costs more broadly, including to visitors traveling through the county through a sales tax. He believes exploring options is worthwhile.
When asked how he would approach infrastructure improvements across such a diverse precinct, Himburg said he would rely on experienced professionals. He has already consulted with someone he claims is a veteran roadwork professional about evaluating conditions and establishing a systematic plan for repairs. His goal, he said, would be to focus on long-term solutions rather than repeated temporary fixes.
Precinct 2 includes both rural communities and areas experiencing continued growth. Himburg acknowledged that balancing development with preserving community character will require careful consideration. He believes meaningful input from residents will be key to making sound decisions.
If you would like to hear more of Himburg’s interview, click the YouTube link below.
If Himburg or any other local politicians wanted to address the flooding and drainage issues, they’d find a way to sue the TWA “management” and owners for their negligence in managing the Trinity River water flow from Livingston dam. No consequences means that liberty county will just be flooded again and again and again.
Himburg want to try and add one to ten cents on the dollar sales tax to Liberty County residents. They’re all good at taxing us to death. Hard enough now to pay bills and buy groceries.