Voters in Habersham County Commission District 3 will have a choice on the ballot this spring as Jason Smith and Danny McClellon seek the seat.
Habersham News recently spoke with both candidates about why they are running, the experience they would bring to the position, and the issues they believe are most important for the county. Their responses are presented below in a side-by-side format, with answers quoted directly.
A photo for Danny McClellon was not available at the time of publication.
What inspired you to run for County Commissioner for District 3?
Jason Smith
Danny McClellon
“I’ll run because Habersham County is my home. I’ve spent my life serving our county and our nation. I want to make certain that our families, our schools, and our rural way of life are protected with the pressures coming our way. I believe my background puts me in the best position to help guide the county with steady experienced leadership.”
“I am running in the election because it’s not a real election without choice. Folks around here – farmers, neighbors, everyday people – kept saying ‘Danny, somebody’s got to step up’. So, I did, because they asked, and because I believe Habersham deserves more than one name on the ballot.”
What experience do you bring to the table?
Jason Smith
Danny McClellon
“I’m a West Point graduate, a retired U.S. Army officer, and a civil engineer and planner with 30 years of hands-on experience. I’ve worked on transportation, utilities, public safety, planning, and major infrastructure projects across the southeast and beyond. I’ve also served locally as a planning commissioner, scoutmaster, church deacon, and community volunteer. Everything I’ve done has prepared me to understand the challenges families and taxpayers face here.”
“I’ve got over twenty-five years in construction, building everything from a hundred-dollars fixer-up to three-million dollars projects, so I know how money gets spent, how deadline are met, and what it take to get things done on budget and right, I grew up here, still live here and I know what the people in our District wants, that’s the kind of experience District 3 needs – someone that actually listens and votes the way the community wants.”
When you look across the horizon at the issues facing Habersham County, which one keeps you up at night?
Jason Smith
Danny McClellon
“Habersham County is facing real pressure from outside development with everything happening with the inland port among other things and developers, especially the recent developments happening in our area. This affects our roads, our schools, our emergency services, and our rural character, which people are really passionate about. Families want to know that their kids are safe, their community isn’t getting worse, and their taxes aren’t going to be going up because of poorly planned growth. Managing these pressures is one of the biggest challenges we as commissioners will face.”
“Property taxes—hands down. They keep me up at night because they hit hardest on folks who’ve been here forever: retirees, farmers, young families just trying to stay put. When home values spike, taxes jump right along with them—even if you haven’t done a thing to your place. It’s not fair. I’ve seen neighbors sell off land they’ve worked for decades just to pay the bill. That’s not progress. That’s pressure. And if we don’t rein in, watch what happens: more folks leave, schools shrink, roads crumble. I’m not saying freeze everything, but we need real oversight—better appraisals, smarter spending, no surprises. That’s what keeps me awake.”
How would you approach making sure taxpayer money is spent responsibly?
Jason Smith
Danny McClellon
“I’ve got experience, of course, in running a small business. I’ve managed budgets in the military. I’ve overseen complex engineering projects, and I’ve had to make certain that every dollar has to be accounted for. I believe in planning ahead, avoiding waste, and making sure we invest in things that truly matter. Public safety, infrastructure, and services that family rely on are those items that we should be investing in. Taxpayer money should always be treated with respect.”
“Look, transparency’s the first step—folks need to see where every dime goes, not just a yearly report buried online. I’d push for live dashboards: show road repairs, school upgrades, salaries—right there, easy to click. No more ‘trust us.’ Second, we hire an independent auditor—someone who doesn’t owe anybody here a favor—and make them report straight to the public, not just the board. Third, cap big projects. If it’s over, say, two hundred thousand? It gets a public vote or at least a town hall. Let people ask why we’re paving that stretch when the bridge down the road’s falling apart. And honestly? Cut the fluff. No more fancy offices or ‘consultants’ who do nothing. I’ve bid jobs—I know waste when I see it. We treat taxpayer money like it’s ours. Because it is.”
If you could accomplish just one thing during your term as commissioner, what would it be?
Jason Smith
Danny McClellon
“If I could accomplish one thing, it would be put a strong common sense planning framework in place so that Habersham County grows in a way that protects our families, our rural characters, and our tax dollars. Good planning today prevents problems tomorrow. Our area is facing a lot of pressure from growth from outside areas. We need to be prepared.”
“If I could do a couple of things in four years, I’d lower property taxes and make them fair across the board. I will also do everything I can to stop the growth that’s swallowing up our farmland at an alarming rate.”
Is there anything you would like to say to voters?
Jason Smith
Danny McClellon
“Habersham County deserves leadership with real experience. Someone who understands planning, infrastructure, community service, and who cares deeply about the people who live here. I’m committed to protecting our values, our safety, and our quality way of life. I’m ready to serve our families and taxpayers with honesty, discipline, and a heart for the community.”
“Most importantly, I’m not a career politician—I’m just someone who believes our community deserves responsible leadership. I care deeply about how our tax dollars are spent, and I’ll treat every one of them as carefully as if it were my own. I believe in accountability, which means keeping department heads focused, transparent, and responsive to the people they serve. I will work hard every day to protect taxpayers and keep property taxes from creeping up. You deserve leadership that respects your hard work and the taxes that you pay. That’s the commitment I am making to you.”
Voting in the Habersham County primary election will take place on May 19, 2026, with early voting scheduled from April 27 through May 15 at the Habersham County Elections Office and other designated early voting locations.
