Re-Elect

NEWT

Cunningham

For Fannin County Judge

Who is Judge Cunningham?

Newt Cunningham is a Texan. Newt grew up in Houston, graduated from Austin College in Sherman and from SMU Law School in Dallas.  He has been involved in business and the practice of law since 1976. Newt is married to Rhonda Grubbs Cunningham and they have four beautiful daughters and six wonderful grandchildren.  He and Rhonda live in Allens Chapel (Honey Grove). They attend McKenzie Methodist Church in Honey Grove. Rhonda serves on the Board of the Hall Voyer Foundation, which runs the Honey Grove Library & Learning Center  and the Bois d’ Arc Municipal Utility District.  

Newt is a conservative, Christian, family man, a good neighbor and Public Servant.  He believes in living the Golden Rule, “Do unto others what you would have done to you”.  He is committed to putting the interest of Fannin County first and not catering to special interests. 

What does Judge Cunningham stand for?

When Newt ran for County Judge four years ago he ran on a platform of Integrity, Honesty and Transparency.  He continues to stand for those values. He firmly believes that public officials need to be held accountable.  Transparency is to corruption what sunlight is to mold.  No Public Servant should have a secret agenda. Newt has chosen to be a Public Servant not a Politician. He is focused on what is best for all the people of Fannin County, our community. Newt doesn’t trade favors for votes. And he will continue to shine the light on what goes on in County government.

What are Judge Cunningham's Achievements and Goals?

Fiscal Responsibility & Revenue

  • Ensured and negotiated county contracts with a focus on putting Fannin County first through fair pricing and favorable terms

  • Championed county purchasing policies to prevent favoritism and overspending

  • Pursued restitution for courthouse repair and restoration costs to protect taxpayer dollars

  • Participated in renegotiating contracts with the U.S. Marshals Service and private jail to secure improved financial terms

  • Established a Hotel Occupancy Tax to create a new county revenue stream

  • Led efforts to obtain additional revenue to meet county needs without increasing the tax burden on residents

Efficient, Lawful & Transparent Government

  • Led efforts to improve government effectiveness and efficiency

  • Advocated for transparency and fairness in county government

  • Advocated for fair and equal treatment of all citizens

  • Advocated for government compliance with the law

  • Established and maintained a public, online law library to increase transparency and public access to the law

Courts, Justice & Public Safety

  • Led efforts to complete the restored courthouse and construct a new Justice Center

  • Championed a consolidated Justice Center to house courts and county offices in one location, reducing rental costs and saving taxpayer time

  • Provided resources for law enforcement, first responders, and volunteer fire departments

  • Added three new ambulances to serve Fannin County, improving response times while saving approximately one million dollars in the first year

Roads, Infrastructure & Resource Protection

  • Provided leadership in developing plans to improve county roads, including prioritizing repairs, revenue sharing, and centralized road management (unitization)

  • Promoted equipment sharing to reduce duplication, improve efficiency, and ensure fair road quality for all residents

  • Championed enforcement of traffic laws to stop overweight and speeding commercial trucks that create safety hazards and damage county roads

  • Protected county resources from misuse for the profit of a few

Water Planning & Critical Resources

  • Championed efforts to reconstitute the Fannin County Water Supply Agency to plan for the county’s long-term water needs

Responsible Growth, Development & Zoning

  • Promoted adoption and enforcement of county subdivision regulations to ensure appropriate development

  • Enforced lake zoning regulations to protect property values and community standards, allowing rezoning only when appropriate

  • Addressed and continue to discourage non-value-added development that offers little benefit while posing risks to public health, safety, and property values

Regulation to Protect Communities & Rural Character

  • Adopted and promoted enforcement of regulations limiting sexually oriented businesses, making them undesirable to operate in Fannin County

  • Adopted and promoted enforcement of regulations limiting recreational vehicle parks to prevent high-density developments and visual blight

  • Adopted and promoted enforcement of regulations governing landfills (regional garbage dumps) in Fannin County

  • Adopted and promoted enforcement of the Fannin County Junkyard Ordinance to limit unsightly collections of junk

  • Led efforts to limit and regulate wind farms, solar farms, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and declined tax abatements or incentive programs for such developments