Tyler City Hall, 212 N. Bonner Ave., is pictured. Two Tyler City Council districts have contested races — one featuring an incumbent facing a challenger and another where both candidates are newcomers to public office. (Tyler Morning Telegraph File)

Editor’s Note: This is one in a series of stories on local races that will be on the ballot in the May 3 election in Smith County.

Two Tyler City Council districts have contested races — one featuring an incumbent facing a challenger and another where both candidates are newcomers to public office.

Tyler residents will vote for city council seats in Districts 1 and 3 in the upcoming May 3 election. These city elections occur annually, with the mayor and council members from Districts 2, 4 and 6 elected in even-numbered years, and those from Districts 1, 3 and 5 in odd-numbered years.

Who is up for election?

District 1 incumbent Stuart Hene will face Max Stewart, while District 3 newcomers Shonda Marsh and Christian Gooden will vie for the open seat, previously held by Dr. Shirley McKellar, who termed out after serving three terms.

Lloyd Nichols, incumbent for District 5, filed for reelection and is unopposed in the race.

About city council terms

Candidates must be qualified voters residing in the district they wish to represent for at least six months prior to the election and continue residing there during their term. Council members serve two-year terms with a limit of three consecutive terms and are unpaid for their service.

Tyler elects its council members through single-member district races, meaning only residents of a particular district can vote for their respective representative. Residents must be registered to vote in the May 3 election by the April 3 deadline.

Early voting runs from April 22 to April 29 at designated locations. On Election Day polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

District 1

Stuart Hene is seeking a third and final term on the Tyler City Council after serving since 2019. His priorities remain on supporting public safety departments, enhancing city infrastructure and continuing the downtown Tyler revitalization.

Hene said he is committed to ensuring the city’s police and fire departments are properly equipped. During his tenure, the city has increased staffing for both departments and updated equipment and expanded the fire department’s fleet.

Hene said he plans to focus on responsible growth. As Tyler experiences continued expansion, he sees the importance of maintaining and upgrading water infrastructure. Several projects are already underway, and he intends to ensure their timely completion.

Hene also spoke about the importance of communication and collaboration among city departments.

“We’ve made significant progress in getting departments to work together more efficiently,” Hene said. “It’s important that we continue that to maximize our resources and avoid costly rework.”

Hene is passionate about the completion of downtown revitalization efforts, and supports the construction of the new Fire Station No. 2.

He is a lifelong Tyler resident, and Baylor University graduate with a political science degree and a law degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law.

Hene said he plans to run a grassroots campaign focused on face-to-face conversations and social media engagement. He stressed the importance of civic participation and encouraged residents to make their voices heard.

“City council members are here for the residents,” Hene said. “We’re that direct line of communication, and it’s essential to keep that connection strong.”

Max Stewart, a local business owner, said his goal is to gain experience in the political process and connect with the community.

Stewart owns Guardian Wealth Management and Guardian Insurance and Investments, Stewart moved to Tyler about two and a half years ago. His wife, a local attorney, owns Stewart Law and grew up near Palestine.

He earned his associate degree in enterprise development from Oklahoma State University and earned his bachelors degree in finance from Oklahoma City University. Stewart is also an alumni of the Southern Methodist University Certified Financial Planner program.   

He is a newly appointed board member of the Oklahoma State Alumni Association East Texas chapter and attends Green Acres Baptist Church. Stewart also volunteers at the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth.

Stewart described his political views as generally conservative, shaped by his upbringing. He said he supports competition in government, believing it can lead to improvements.

One of Stewart’s priorities is addressing concerns about books in the children’s section of local libraries. He said he believes sexually explicit books are not suitable for young children and should be relocated to a section for older kids. He emphasized that he is not advocating for book removal, only for age-appropriate placement.

Stewart also criticized the handling of the South Tyler Wastewater Treatment Plant. He said the city has spent millions on repairs without implementing effective solutions to reduce odors. He pointed to recommendations for vapor-phase odor control and argued the ongoing issues could negatively affect property values and delay development in the Cumberland Park area.

He plans to campaign through door-to-door outreach, social media and potentially holding town hall meetings. He acknowledged the financial challenges of running a campaign and said he may take a non-traditional approach, focusing on community engagement over spending on yard signs.

District 3

Shonda Marsh is a lifelong resident of Northwest Tyler with over 30 years of healthcare experience. With a strong commitment to community service, Marsh aims to bring positive change to the district and help it thrive.

Marsh holds degrees in respiratory therapy and healthcare administration and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration. She has held leadership positions during the COVID-19 pandemic and is passionate about mentoring future healthcare professionals.

Her campaign centers on resilience, equity and collaboration. “This campaign is about amplifying the voices of Northwest Tyler. We’ll honor our district’s history while building a future where every family can thrive,” she said.

Marsh’s priorities include expanding healthcare access, promoting economic growth through local business support and job creation, improving neighborhood safety and enhancing infrastructure while preserving the district’s unique character. If elected, she also plans to invest in youth education and community involvement.

Marsh has already identified several issues raised by her constituents, including enforcing leash laws for dogs, addressing abandoned homes and improving property upkeep. She plans to organize job fairs to connect residents with new job opportunities. Additionally, Marsh said she is committed to improving city infrastructure by fixing roads, addressing potholes and extending bus service hours for better transportation options.

“I was born and raised in Tyler and have owned my home in District 3 for 24 years,” Marsh said. “I know the people in my district, regardless of their background, appearance, or who they love. I’m committed to being a representative who is ethical, transparent and always honest. If something is wrong, I will make it right.”

Marsh has been actively involved in several organizations, including the American Heart Association and a group that supports women’s empowerment and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has also worked to restart community service projects and support local banks in Tyler.

Her passion for community service grew over time, pushing her to learn more about the city and its people. Through her leadership experiences, including the Leadership Tyler program, Marsh deepened her understanding of city government, economics and community engagement. She believes this experience will help her serve effectively on the city council.

Marsh was inspired to run for city council when McKellar announced her term was ending. She explained her deep involvement in community service has left her with a desire to make a larger impact. Running for city council offers her the platform to address issues such as improving infrastructure, particularly streets, railroad tracks and lighting in neighborhoods.

“I come from a family of advocates,” Marsh said. “We were raised to speak up for those who may not know how to voice their concerns. I want to bring that same approach to the city council.”

Marsh hopes to inspire future generations, especially young girls of color, to pursue their dreams, just as she has. “My goal is to leave the world better than I found it and help others dream big,” she said.

Christian Gooden, a Dallas native by way of Palestine, and Sam Houston High School graduate, initially pursued music and a Christian education at Southwestern Christian College in Terrell. While there, he played football before transferring to Trinity Valley Community College.

The 2014 killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, deeply affected Gooden and fueled his desire to engage in politics. He wanted to advocate for more young Black leaders in government. He went on to earn a criminal justice degree from Texas College in Tyler, graduating with honors in 2018.

While in school, Gooden gained political experience by working on various campaigns, including supreme court elections, a congressional race, Beto O’Rourke campaigns and Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. In Tyler’s District 3, he supported local leaders like Chief Deputy Gary Pinkerton and former Smith County Commissioner JoAnn Hampton. He proudly calls this period his “stomping in his boots” phase, a nod to campaigning efforts led by McKellar.

After graduating, Gooden planned to pursue a degree in urban planning and community development at Alabama A&M University, focusing on community safety and transportation. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 interrupted his studies, and he faced the loss of his mother that same year. Despite these hardships, his grandmother in Detroit encouraged him to continue his education.

Gooden enrolled at Wayne State University and earned a master’s degree in political science in 2024. His thesis explored the unintended consequences of desegregation, examining the challenges and benefits of integration. During his time in Michigan, he directed an outreach office, collaborating with organizations like Planned Parenthood and Forward Majority. He contributed to the election of two female justices to the Michigan Supreme Court and supported Judge Teresa, the first Black woman elected as a county judge in her district.

With McKellar reaching her term limit, Gooden decided to run for Tyler City Council’s District 3 seat. He believes his education, political experience and dedication make him a strong candidate. If elected, he would be the youngest candidate and the first Texas College graduate to represent the district.

Gooden has long-standing ties to North Tyler, considering Texas College the “home of education” in the community. As the college’s Student Government Association president, he led voter registration drives and community cleanups. Under his leadership, many students registered to vote, contributing to the approximately 1,000 registered college students in the district today.

If elected, Gooden said his top three priorities would be promoting equity, creating job opportunities and supporting education. He wants to strengthen resources for Texas College and improve access to quality education for students in local high schools, middle schools and elementary schools. He also aims to revitalize the district to make it a more vibrant and equitable place for all residents.

Inspired to continue progress in North Tyler, Gooden hopes to build on McKellar’s work and further promote equity and opportunities for the community.

Voting information

Residents must be registered by April 3 to vote in this election. Early voting runs from April 22 to April 29 at specific places and Election Day polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 3.