The Smith County Regional Labor Council hosted its annual Labor Day gathering at Lindsey Park in Tyler on Monday, September 7, 2026, offering residents a chance to engage with candidates for local government and learn about community issues. The event, which included a cookout, sought to celebrate working Americans while keeping attendees informed about matters affecting the working class, according to Clarette Allen, president of the Smith County Regional Labor Council.
The afternoon brought together community members, council representatives, and local candidates, providing a platform for public discourse. A voter-information table offered additional details about local representatives and current issues. Shirley McKellar introduced the speakers who addressed those gathered.
Among the candidates who spoke were Yolanda Prince, running for U.S. Congress in District 1; Marc Meyer, a candidate for the 15th Court of Appeals, Place 3; Ericka Ledferd, seeking a seat on the State Board of Education in District 9; Laticia Ambroz, a candidate for Texas Senate District 1; Hector Garza, campaigning for Texas House District 5; and Dustin Stephens, running for Smith County Commissioner, Precinct 2. Additional speakers included local activist Nancy Nichols, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1 Derrick Choice, and Democratic Party Chair Kristen Hardin-Sigler.
Allen highlighted the importance of community support for labor and labor issues. She stated, “Without our community, we would be lost,” underscoring the council's reliance on residents to understand and disseminate information about issues impacting them. Allen emphasized that everyone is affected by politics, whether they acknowledge it or not. The council aims for its members to understand their representatives and stay informed about changes that could affect working people.
Attendees expressed appreciation for the event's informative nature. Dawn Dearion, who traveled from Overton after learning about the gathering on Facebook, found it “very informative.” She noted that the candidates were “very well versed on what’s going on in the community” and believed such gatherings help bring the community together, offering access to information residents might not otherwise encounter. Bobby Murray, another attendee, enjoyed hearing from the speakers and the combination of the cookout with the informational segments.
Beyond the fellowship and civic engagement, Allen pointed to the historical significance of Labor Day itself. She reminded attendees that the holiday commemorates the labor movement's role in securing improvements for working Americans, such as the 40-hour workweek and vacation time. She connected these advancements to the evolution of labor, from addressing issues like slave and child labor to women’s rights in the workplace, crediting “labor and union involvement in labor” for these changes.
The annual gathering at Lindsey Park provides an ongoing opportunity for residents to connect with candidates, learn about critical issues, and reflect on the contributions of working individuals to the fabric of the community. The council's sustained focus on civic engagement and informing its members indicates an ongoing effort to ensure residents are aware of the political and economic landscape impacting their daily lives.
