The election may have concluded, but the journey of ensuring accountability among Texas officials is just beginning.
In late September, Ericka Lomick, the Democratic candidate for Texas House District 93 in Tarrant County, faced scrutiny regarding her eligibility for public office. Consequently, she suspended her campaign just weeks before the election; however, it was too late to withdraw her name from the ballot.
Following a surprising victory last week, Lomick has since claimed that she is “fully qualified to take the office to which I was elected.” However, her Republican opponent, Alan Blaylock, is challenging this assertion. On Friday, Blaylock’s legal team submitted a letter to Secretary of State Robert Howden, requesting that Lomick be declared ineligible due to a past felony conviction related to mortgage fraud in North Carolina. The letter, which was obtained by The Texas Tribune, demands a response from Howden by noon on Monday, as the deadline for certifying the election approaches.
Texas law typically prohibits convicted felons from running for or holding public office unless they have received a pardon. Nonetheless, a 2019 opinion from the attorney general suggests that a convicted felon may run for office if they have been “released from the disability to hold office,” which implies that a court must restore their rights.
In a statement to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Thursday, Lomick acknowledged her past felony conviction but insisted, “I was fully released from the resulting disabilities. I am preparing to represent the residents of my district.” However, she did not provide further details.
Attempts to contact Lomick for additional comment on Friday evening were unsuccessful. A spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s office indicated that they would not be making any comments at that time.
Prior to the election, a political action committee (PAC) revealed information regarding Lomick’s past in relation to her felony case. In 2011, she pleaded guilty to mortgage fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, which resulted in a 63-month prison sentence and a restitution payment of $300,000, as stated by Protect and Serve Texas PAC and supporting documents reviewed by the Tribune. Federal prosecutors later filed a lien for the same amount in 2024.
Blaylock, a former Fort Worth city council member, expressed his concerns in a statement, asserting that “the people of House District 93 deserve a representative who can serve.” He urged state officials to enforce the law and ensure that the district is represented by someone legally eligible for the position, calling any less a form of fraud.
The candidates were competing to replace former state Representative Nate Schatzline, a staunch conservative who chose not to seek re-election and resigned in July to become a senior adviser to Governor Greg Abbott on election policy.
What was once perceived as a secure Republican seat in Tarrant County has shifted significantly. Following the recent election, the Texas GOP has found itself in the minority in the Texas House for the first time since the 2001 Legislative session, as Democrats regained control of the chamber. Every seat now holds potential significance for the party’s remaining influence.
Lomick and Blaylock were on the ballot for two positions: one for a full four-year term and another to complete Schatzline’s term until January. Lomick secured the highest number of votes in both contests.
