Her Story
About Kristen
Kristen HardinSigler is the Democratic Party Chair for Smith County, Texas. She was elected in March and began her term on June 15, transitioning to part-time work at a flower shop to dedicate more time to political efforts ahead of midterms. Her expertise lies in rural organizing, where she applies lessons from urban campaigns in Hays County to engage communities in East Texas. Prior to this, she served as BIPP Coordinator at the East Texas Crisis Center for one year, working with court-ordered offenders to address domestic violence through accountability and education on toxic ideals. She holds an associate's degree in psychology from Tyler Junior College, a bachelor's in psychology with a sociology minor from Black Hills State University, and a master's in psychological research from Texas State University earned in 2018 with a 4.0 GPA. Kristen helped revive the Smith County Young Democrats in 2024 and served as its president before handing off the role. She attributes her success to grit, authenticity, and a willingness to learn from failure while maintaining strong work-life boundaries.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kristen
01What do you attribute your success to?
I'm very gritty. I don't quit when there are barriers in my way. I'm also not afraid to fail. Taking criticism and taking failures and learning from those things and moving forward anyway. Curing myself very authentically. It's never been a farce, it's never been scripted, it's always been my truest, innermost belief that have led what I've done, and I think that authenticity has gotten me where I am today.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
That I'm not gonna be everybody's cup of tea. I've always kind of been a people pleaser, and to note that I can take up space and not worry about pleasing other people, but doing what's right. Making sure I have really solid work-life balance. I have very firm boundaries. When I pull into my neighborhood, my phone immediately goes into D&D at 6pm.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The biggest thing is making sure that you do not shrink yourself to become digestible. Who you are, everything that you are, is exactly what you are meant to be. Own that space. As a brown woman in today's America, I could be governed by fear. Instead, I am governed by rage and hope that things can be better if we just work towards that. Trust your gut, you know what's best for you.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is striving for unity when there are fundamental disagreements. Most people can agree that what's happening right now is immoral, unjust, inhumane. Really reaching out to people's humanity is the biggest opportunity. Remembering that our neighbors are our neighbors, not who they voted for. Building connection and community.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that I hold in the highest regard are perseverance, even when things are tough. Doing what's moral and right, despite the barriers. I'm very justice-minded, very fair, very dedicated and very passionate. There's a certain amount of joy that you have to carry in all of these things. Carry everything with a joy and with a compassion and believing that people are coming from the right place most of the time.
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