Marshall Councilwoman Reba Godfrey Seeks Another Term Amid Opponent Disqualification
Marshall, TX — District 5 Councilwoman Reba Godfrey is running for reelection to continue what she calls her “ministry” of hands-on advocacy for her city’s infrastructure and public services. Godfrey, who has served since 2022, confirmed her intention to secure another term on May 2, 2026, emphasizing her commitment to driving Marshall’s future forward.
Godfrey’s opponent, Candance Pierce, has been disqualified from the race due to a Class B misdemeanor conviction, which city officials said bars her from taking office even if she wins. Despite the disqualification, Godfrey urges voters to support her to avoid leaving the District 5 seat vacant.
Hands-On Leadership and Community Focus
A retired educator and executive pastor at New Vision Missionary Baptist Church, Godfrey is a lifelong Marshall resident with a legacy of service spanning decades. “It’s not politics. It’s position — being in place, doing what God called me to do,” she said, describing her tenure as a “boots-on-the-ground ministry.”
Godfrey and her husband of 50 years often personally inspect city needs, from infrastructure repairs to neighborhood safety concerns, reinforcing a leadership style rooted deeply in community engagement.
Key Achievements: Staff Raises, Infrastructure, and Public Safety
Under Godfrey’s influence, Marshall’s 2025 fiscal budget included a 4% across-the-board pay raise for city employees, a move she championed during budget sessions to offset rising inflation and increased property taxes. She advocated for even higher increases, citing a deserved cost of living adjustment and enhanced compensation for certification training.
One of Godfrey’s earliest victories involved installing LED streetlights in District 5, a project previously deemed the citizens’ responsibility. After her push, the initiative expanded citywide, improving safety and reducing energy costs.
Public spaces also saw improvements through her efforts, including ongoing upgrades to Smith Park, where she fondly recalled playing on decades-old playground equipment. Additionally, Godfrey prioritized road repairs in neglected sectors of the city—some patches hadn’t been fixed since her birth in 1953.
Illegal dumping has been a top priority, too. Godfrey spearheaded cleanup projects on Ward, Norwood, Olive, and Scotts Quarters streets, helping secure reinstatement of the right-of-way crew to combat ongoing dumping problems.
Water System Overhaul: A Foreseen Crisis
Water infrastructure has been a longtime focus for Godfrey. She toured the wastewater treatment plant during a crucial funding push seeking nearly $22 million from the Texas Water Development Board. Her foresight proved prescient after two key pumps malfunctioned in September 2024, leading to multi-day water outages.
Observing aging equipment dating back to the mid-20th century, Godfrey pressed the City Council to prioritize upgrades. “Some parts of that system were done in 1948, and some in 1950… I knew that something needed to be done,” she said.
Unity, Faith, and Future Vision
Throughout her service, Godfrey has emphasized a unifying spiritual atmosphere at City Hall. “God has unified us, how He has changed the spiritual atmosphere of the city,” she said. “At City Hall, we hug. There is love, there is unity.”
Godfrey remains hopeful voters will recognize her dedication and vote to keep her on as District 5 representative. With her seat at stake, the city faces the potential disruption of a vacant council position if Pierce wins despite disqualification.
Marshall residents now face a clear choice: continue a proven advocate grounded in decades of service or risk losing direct representation altogether. Godfrey’s vision and hands-on approach drive her campaign forward as election day approaches.
