NELDA WELLS SPEARS LAUNCHES TV AD ON FIRST DAY OF EARLY VOTE
Travis Co. Tax Collector Asks Community to Put Aside Opponent’s Negative Attacks and Vote For Steady Leadership, Progressive Ideals, and Best Tax Collection Record in Texas
(AUSTIN) — As Travis County voters begin heading to the polls, the woman they re-elected with record numbers last time she was on the ballot launched a TV ad asking for them to put aside her opponent’s relentless negative attacks and vote for the steady leadership and progressive ideals that have built the most successful county tax office in Texas.
“With so many false attacks and misinformation coming from my opponent in this campaign, I want voters to know why I’m running and why I think I’ve earned their support,” Spears said.
Entitled “Proud” and produced in Austin by her campaign team, the spot features Spears directly appealing to Travis County residents for their votes while images appear on the screen to underscore her words.
Have you had enough of my opponent’s negative attacks?
My family and I have.
I first came to this office with my grandmother 50 years ago
so she could pay her poll tax.
Today, as your Tax Collector,
we have the best tax collection rate in Texas
to pay for your public schools, public health, and public safety.
And we have the best voter registration record of any urban county.
I think my grandmother would be proud of the job we’ve done.
I hope you are, too.
I’m Nelda Wells Spears,
and I’d appreciate your vote.
The spot is also available on Spears’ campaign website at http://www.neldaspears.com/.
Spears was re-elected with more votes than any other candidate on the Travis County ballot in 2004 and has compiled both the best tax collection record in Texas — 99 percent — and the best presidential election year voter registration record of any urban county in the state — 94 percent in 2004.
Spears’ opponent has attacked her relentlessly throughout the campaign with allegations that one by one have been proven false, including his latest claim that she endorsed a legislative proposal to require voters to show a photo ID at the polling place. Spears did not endorse the bill and does not support the notion.
Endorsed by a wide range of community leaders, Spears has been Travis County Tax Collector since 1991. She previously served as chief deputy to Tax Assessor-Collector Cecelia Burke and personnel director for State Comptroller Bob Bullock and Land Commissioner Garry Mauro.
Spears this year received the prestigious Best Practices Awards for Exceptional Delivery of Services from her peers in the Texas Association of Counties Leadership Foundation for technological innovations and customer service. She was also awarded the 2007 ComputerWorld Honors Laureate for the application of the latest technology to improve access for taxpayers with visual impairments.
