WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES IN YOUR MAY 2 ELECTIONS?
A NOTE TO ALL CANDIDATES: All prospective candidates for public office are encouraged to provide a photograph, as well as a brief statement explaining why they are seeking office. To do so, either call 806.570.3033 or email editor@canadianrecord.com (receipt will be confirmed). This information will be updated as soon as the candidates’ responses are provided. For a complete report of the May 2 Election, follow this link: https://www.canadianrecord.com/news/voters-may-2-local-elections-determine-races-city-council-water-district-and-hospital-boards — RECORD EDITOR LAURIE EZZELL BROWN
HEMPHILL COUNTY
UNDERGROUND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

TOM ISAACS, CANDIDATE
I was raised in Canadian and am proud to be a fourth-generation rancher who calls Hemphill County home. I studied Geology at Montana State University and Ranch Management at Texas Christian University before returning home to manage the family’s ranching operation.
My wife, Dr. Anna Isaacs, is a family physician at Hemphill County Hospital, and together we’ve been raising our three young children here for the past seven years. We are deeply invested in the future of this community.
I have served on the Hemphill County Underground Water District Board for the past 6 years. During that time, I’ve worked to be a responsible steward of our groundwater resources—balancing conservation with the needs of the county's water users.
I’ve focused on reducing taxes while strengthening science-driven research and monitoring of the Ogallala Aquifer. During my tenure, our board has worked to reduce the district budget and lower the tax rate, all while maintaining the data and research needed to make informed decisions about our water resources.
Since 2020, I have been the district representative for the Groundwater Management Area Committee (GMA 1). In this role, I work with neighboring water districts across the northern Texas Panhandle through the joint planning process to model groundwater availability and establish long-term goals. This includes developing 50-year projections to help guide use of the aquifer.
I am running for re-election on a platform of:
- Conserving water resources for future generations
- Protecting private property rights
- Maintaining local control of groundwater management
I firmly believe that the best management is local management. Keeping the state from dictating how Hemphill County manages its resources is a top priority for me.
Looking ahead, future water demand is one of the biggest unknowns facing our district. The possibility of large-scale users—such as export projects or data centers—is real. My goal is to ensure the district has the research and modeling needed to understand these scenarios so we can make informed, responsible decisions.
It has been an honor to serve this community, and I would greatly appreciate your support.
I would be honored to earn your vote in the upcoming election on May 2nd.
Tom Isaacs

ALLEN HADAWAY, CANDIDATE
I am Allen Hadaway, a resident of Hemphill County for the past 41 years and a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas. I understand firsthand how vital groundwater is to our community, our land, and our future.
I strongly support the mission of the Hemphill County Underground Water Conservation District—to conserve, preserve, protect, recharge, and prevent the waste of our groundwater resources.
For over 40 years, I have worked in this region drilling and operating oil and gas wells, maintaining close coordination with the Texas Railroad Commission and TCEQ to ensure the protection of groundwater. This experience has given me a deep, practical understanding of subsurface conditions, water management, and regulatory responsibility.
I am seeking a seat on the Water Board to put that experience to work for Hemphill County—helping ensure our groundwater is protected and responsibly managed for generations to come.
I would sincerely appreciate your vote on May 2nd.
Allen Hadaway
CANADIAN CITY COUNCIL

WENDIE COOK, CANDIDATE
I’m so thankful to call Canadian my home. Tony and I have raised our boys here and built our lives here. Along the way, we’ve made great friends and shared so many meaningful moments with you. You make Canadian such a special place, and why I care so much about serving our community.
Leadership requires active engagement to learn, listen, and understand what truly matters to you. I’m running again because the decisions we make locally matter. They shape our daily lives, our businesses, and the future of our town. I’m not afraid of the hard work it takes to find the right solutions, and I will continue to serve all of our citizens with care, consistency, and commitment.
It has been an honor to serve you on the Canadian City Council, elected by council to serve as your Mayor Pro Tem. I’ve worked hard to support steady, thoughtful improvements that serve all of our citizens.
During the wildfires, I worked to raise funding for disaster recovery that went directly to families who lost homes, livestock, and livelihoods. That experience reinforced for me how important it is to show up, work hard, and take care of one another when it matters most.
I’ve supported continued investment in our city’s infrastructure, including street improvements, drainage, and water systems. These are not always the most visible projects, but they are essential to keeping Canadian safe, functional, and prepared for the future. I also helped move forward the installation of new water meters so residents are paying only for what they actually use, an important step toward fairness and accountability.
I’m proud to have been part of securing our long-term water supply, helping ensure Canadian has reliable access to water for generations to come. And after communication gaps were exposed during the wildfires, I worked directly with AT&T to help facilitate the installation of a new cell tower, improving service and reliability across our county. Through it all, I’ve worked to balance these needs with careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars. That balance matters and I take it seriously.
We’ve also recently hired a new city manager, and I look forward to supporting his work as we continue planning for a strong and stable future for Canadian.
My commitment to this community goes beyond City Council. I am active in Rotary, and our family stays busy with 4-H. My kids regularly volunteer at the Hemphill County food pantry, which has been an important way for us to stay connected to our community needs. I am also a member of P.E.O., where we financially support women's education, including continuing education opportunities for local women and teachers.
I stay involved in our schools and serve on the Hospital Foundation Board, helping support efforts to strengthen healthcare and keep quality services and jobs here at home. Tony and I chose to build a medical practice here 21 years ago because we believe in this town and in the importance of access to quality healthcare close to home.
I’m also proud of my work at The Citadelle Art Museum. It has grown into a stable employer in Canadian, providing five full-time jobs and contributing to our local economy. We have created programs that regularly impact every child in CISD.
Through my work across the state, I consistently bring Canadian into focus by sharing the story of our hardworking people while also making sure rural communities like ours are considered in decisions that affect us. That perspective is important in finding thoughtful, practical solutions for Canadian.
Early voting runs April 20–28, and Election Day is May 2.
I would be honored to have your vote.

Wendie Cook

JENNIFER FORD, CANDIDATE
My name is Jennifer Ford, and I’m excited to share that I am running for City Council here in Canadian. This town isn’t just where I live-it is a place that I am thankful to call home. It’s where we raise our families, look out for neighbors, and take pride in our community.
I’m running for City Council because I care about keeping Canadian a great place to live while making thoughtful decisions for our future. I believe in common-sense leadership, being a good steward of our tax dollars, and always listening to the people who call this amazing town HOME.
I would be honored to have your support and the opportunity to serve our community.
Jennifer Ford