PEOPLE. NOT POLITICS.

Meet Ernest.

Ernest Wilkerson grew up working on the tobacco fields of his grandfather’s farm in Reidsville, North Carolina. The son of two textile mill workers, Ernest was raised to value hard work and to put his community before himself. A military veteran and former state employee, Ernest has built experience in leadership that has proven invaluable to our community. As a Bell County resident of 26 years, Ernest knows our community's challenges, and his vision for a brighter future is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of background.

Ernest is a devoted husband to Angenet Wilkerson, a proud father of two strong women, and a loving grandfather of two. He understands our community's challenges firsthand, and his vision for a brighter future is rooted in his strong faith and the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed and is given a fair chance, regardless of their background.

Ernest served four terms as a Killeen City Councilmember beginning in 2001, working tirelessly to create opportunities for economic growth, improve local infrastructure, and ensure that our public resources were used effectively to benefit our community. Ernest has a strong record of getting things done for our community, including successfully lobbying to build the Killeen Regional Airport and growing Killeen’s small business community while serving as Vice-President of the Killeen Economic Development Corporation.

Alongside his government experience, Ernest has significantly contributed to the private sector. Ernest is committed to using his unique skills to bridge the gap between government and business to create a better quality of life for all residents.

Ernest is ready to bring his experience to the Bell County Commissioner’s Court—fighting for stronger infrastructure, safer communities, and the critical funding Western Bell County needs to thrive. With a proven track record of leadership and a deep-rooted passion for service, he’s committed to building a future where every resident has the opportunity to prosper. Together, we can move Bell County forward—stronger, safer, and better than ever.

Closing the Gap.

JOBS

Ernest will fight for strong investment in Bell County’s workforce. He believes that growing our local economy starts with growing opportunities for employment and will work to ensure that our community has the resources they need to build their livelihoods here in Bell County. Ernest understands the importance of providing resources and opportunities for veterans, local residents, and federal employees who have been unjustly let go by the Trump Administration, ensuring they can find employment within our community.

Investing in Precinct 4

Western Bell County’s voice isn’t being heard in Belton. Precinct 4 is centered on Killeen, the 2nd-fastest growing city in the United States. Despite this, it receives less funding for services and infrastructure projects compared to Bell County’s three other precincts. Precinct 4 needs a Commissioner who can work across the aisle to get things done while fighting for our values as Democrats. Ernest knows that putting people first, not politics, is what gets results for constituents who need it. And as a moderate Democrat with over a decade of experience in government, Ernest can do precisely that. That’s why Ernest will:

  • Work with City of Killeen officials to finish Chaparral Road’s expansion project on a reasonable timeline.

  • Hold public transportation providers accountable for the routes they service and ensure that Bell County taxpayers get the full services that they’re paying for.

  • Create a county-level commission to identify tax abatements and grants that can be provided to attract more industry to Western Bell County.

Fighting Trump’s Agenda

Donald Trump is seeking to remake America in his image, and local communities like ours aren’t safe from the impact. Trump’s federal budget cuts are affecting community services and threatening jobs in Bell County. Almost 6% of Bell County’s workforce is employed by the Federal Government, and Donald Trump’s cuts to the federal workforce have removed jobs that Bell County residents depend on. That’s why Ernest will:

  • Build a task force with nonprofit and other organizations to create job seeking resources for laid-off federal employees.

  • Ensure that Bell County uses all of the resources at its disposal–including legal options–to keep federal jobs in Bell County and not lose the local opportunities we have for families to build their livelihoods here.

Furthermore, Bell County has already lost a community clinic thanks to Trump’s funding cuts, and we need to revamp our local indigent health services to make up the difference. Bell County needs to take a comprehensive review of the management and resources of its Public Health District. That’s why Ernest will:

  • Demand a comprehensive review of Public Health District management and resources to increase public transparency and accountability.

  • Fight for increased county-level funding for our community clinics.