Tarrant Democrats Take County Judge Seat

Alisa Simmons defeated incumbent Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare on Tuesday, a result that shifts the balance of power in the five-member Commissioners Court to a 4-1 Democratic majority. Simmons will be the first Democrat elected to that office in nearly 40 years, as well as the first Black person and first woman to hold the position.

The Democratic sweep extended beyond the judgeship. The party also flipped the district attorney and county clerk offices, along with two seats on Commissioners Court. Lydia Bean, the county clerk-elect, noted she will be the first Democrat to hold that specific office in 40 years. The only Republican to retain a seat on the court is Matt Krause.

Tarrant County Democratic Party Chair Allison Campolo described the outcome as a clear rejection of Republican leadership. “We very clearly see that the voters no longer want Republican leadership either at the county level or the state level, indicated by a clean sweep of all county races,” Campolo said. She expects the new majority to prioritize accessible and transparent government that engages directly with residents.

Krause, now the lone Republican on the court, called the results a “bloodbath” in a social media post on Wednesday. He said the party must decide whether to accept the shift or “redouble our efforts in 2028, and retake ground lost.” Republican strategist Vinny Minchillo agreed that the results serve as a wake-up call. “A lot of times, in Texas, we're sort of insulated from what happens in the rest of the country,” Minchillo said. “Well, not last night. So the people have spoken, and if we're smart, we'll listen.”

Simmons served on the Commissioners Court before running for judge, where she criticized O’Hare over precinct redistricting and meeting procedures. She said the redistricting primarily affected Black and Latino voters. Looking ahead, Simmons plans to propose that the court meet more than once a month. She also intends to increase the time residents have for public comment from one minute to three minutes.

Simmons said she wants to make the court’s work less political. “Seeing where we align, seeing where we agree, disagree, and coming to a solution,” she said. She recalled that her experience on the court was often clouded by conflict. “I did come here not to fight; I came to serve. And any proposal, any idea, getting voted down just so consistently over four years,” she said, attributing the pattern to partisan politics.

The victory holds personal meaning for Simmons. She recalled receiving a $5 money order from a supporter in Mexico during the campaign. The note accompanied with the check said, “I hope you win. If I can give more, I'll give more.” “A $5.00 money order and mailed it to me from Mexico. Yeah, I cried,” Simmons said.