After a lot of prayer and conversations with family and friends, I, Connor David McDonald, am excited to announce my candidacy as a Republican for Smith County Commissioner, District 7 (South Carthage).
I am running for Smith County Commissioner as a Republican because I believe fiscally responsible and pro-business policies are imperative to preserving our great county for years to come. Many of us remember too well the budget deficit and sudden tax increase a couple years ago. While we avoided financial crisis in that situation thanks to the efforts of Mayor Jeff Mason and numerous county commissioners, we need more county commissioners with a forward looking perspective to make sure our county maintains a strong financial outlook into the future. In addition, as Smith County continues to expand, it is more important than ever that our infrastructure meet the needs of a growing community. Our roads need work, and I believe one of the most important jobs of the County Commission going forward is to work with the new Road Commissioner elected this year to ensure our infrastructure keeps up with the needs of the community.
My family has a long history here in Smith County. I was born and raised on our family’s farm in South Carthage—a farm that has been in my family since the Revolutionary War. I’m a lifelong resident of Smith County, and currently live in South Carthage with my beautiful wife of three years, Kaylee McDonald. In just a few weeks, Kaylee and I will welcome our first child, a baby girl named Georgia Rose.
I graduated with honors from MTSU in 2017 with a B.S. in Political Science and a minor in Economics. I graduated from Belmont University Law School in 2020, where I finished Top-10 in my class. I earned a Masters of Law in Taxation from the University of Alabama Law School in 2021. Currently, I work as a lawyer at Howard Mobley Hayes & Gontarek, PLLC in Nashville, specializing in estate planning and business matters.
I am the son of Dr. David McDonald—known by most as “Doctor Mac”—and Lorrie Davis McDonald. My great-grandfather, D.T. McCall, was instrumental in starting the Republican Party here in Smith County along with his son and my uncle, Albert McCall, Sr. My grandparents, Cordell and Lois McDonald, were both longtime educators here in Smith County.
I am proud to run as a Republican for County Commissioner. I have been involved in Republican politics my entire life. In 2006, I volunteered on my first Republican campaign. In the past nearly two decades, I have worked on local, state, and national Republican campaigns. I have volunteered for years with the Smith County Republican Party, especially under the direction of longtime chairman and dear friend, Ken Frye. In 2018, I started the Smith County Young Republicans. Later that year, I was selected as Secretary for the statewide Tennessee Young Republicans, a position I maintained for four years until I was recently elected Vice-Chairman of the Tennessee Young Republicans.
I humbly ask for your support and your vote for Smith County Commissioner. If you have any questions or would simply like to voice a concern, please do not hesitate to let me know. I am excited for the opportunity to serve my fellow Smith County citizens and appreciate your prayers and support throughout this campaign.
