By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Will Campbell For Texas.

Texas’ property‑tax system is a broken relic, and one candidate is ready to tear it down.

From Infantry to Entrepreneurship

Will Campbell recounts a decade of service in the Marine Corps infantry, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and participation in Operation Phantom Fury. After leaving the military, he pursued a business degree, tried his hand at entrepreneurship, and eventually rose to become vice president of operations for a facilities‑management software company. “I ended up going from doing that to running 400 locations nationwide for facilities management, having six regional managers under my charge,” Campbell said, illustrating his progression from the front lines to executive leadership.

His career path, marked by both hands‑on labor as a plumber’s apprentice and high‑level corporate oversight, informs his view of Texas’ fiscal challenges. Campbell believes that having operated in both the trenches and the boardroom gives him a unique perspective on how government policies affect everyday Texans.

Why Property Taxes Matter

Campbell frames the current property‑tax system as “a terrible system, it’s corrupt,” arguing that it places an undue burden on homeowners while offering little transparency or voter control. He points to a recent constitutional amendment vote that saw an 80‑percent majority favor abolishing state‑level property taxes, indicating strong public appetite for change.

To replace the lost revenue, Campbell proposes a shift to a broader sales‑tax model. “We’re going to tax 80% of all the sales activity that goes on and that 20% that is exempt is our cost of living,” he explained, noting that the new structure would start at a 3.25% rate, capped at 6% constitutionally, and would be allocated among state, county, city, ISD, and special districts.

Political Path to Reform

Campbell’s entry into politics began with a local school‑board bond effort in Cedar Hill in 2019, where he helped campaign for a much‑needed facilities upgrade. Though the bond failed, the experience sparked his interest in public service. He later received encouragement from the Democratic‑Republican Caucus (DCRP) to run for the state House, seeing an opportunity to advance his tax‑reform agenda.

He emphasizes that the proposal is not about stripping funding from schools or municipalities. “We have to replace it because the entirety of our state is built on this system,” Campbell said, underscoring that the sales‑tax model would still generate sufficient revenue while eliminating property‑tax inequities.

Implications for District 109 Voters

District 109, encompassing parts of Dallas County, includes a mix of suburban neighborhoods and growing commercial zones. Residents face rising property‑tax bills, while businesses contend with a complex tax landscape. Campbell’s plan aims to simplify taxation, potentially lowering costs for homeowners and providing a more predictable revenue stream for local governments.

Critics warn that shifting the tax burden to sales could disproportionately affect lower‑income households that spend a larger share of their income on taxable goods. Campbell counters that essential items like groceries would remain exempt, and the broader tax base would spread the load more evenly across all consumers.

Looking Ahead

As the 2026 election cycle intensifies, Campbell’s platform adds a distinctive fiscal reform narrative to the race. His blend of military service, entrepreneurial experience, and community involvement positions him as a candidate who claims to understand both the economic and personal impacts of tax policy.

Whether his proposed amendment will gain enough legislative and voter support remains uncertain, but the conversation it sparks highlights growing frustration with Texas’ property‑tax system and a desire for innovative solutions.

The full episode of Will Campbell For Texas is available on OBBM Network TV.