Alisa Simmons has made history by becoming the first Democrat elected as Tarrant County Judge in over four decades, as well as the first black individual and woman to hold the position. Simmons secured her victory on November 3, defeating the incumbent Republican Tim O’Hare, who has led the county since 2023.
Simmons triumphed with 56% of the vote, totaling 402,291 ballots, while O’Hare garnered 44%, amounting to 311,040 votes. Her election marks a significant shift in Tarrant County’s political landscape, especially following O’Hare’s contentious redistricting plan in 2025, which aimed to bolster conservative representation on the court. Additionally, O’Hare’s campaign to reduce nearly 100 polling sites prior to the midterms also stirred considerable controversy.
With Simmons’ election, the Tarrant County Commissioners Court has transitioned from a narrow 3-2 Republican majority to a decisive 4-1 Democratic majority. “It makes me feel proud,” Simmons expressed in a recent interview, highlighting the electorate’s decisive choice. “I am thrilled that the electorate rose like there was an uprising.”
Simmons aims to foster a more welcoming environment at the Tarrant County Commissioners Court, particularly after recent meetings were marked by public tensions regarding polling site reductions. “Moving forward, I can guarantee folks will see more transparency,” she assured, emphasizing her commitment to creating a court that is more accessible to the public.
Under O’Hare’s leadership, contentious meetings led to multiple ejections of attendees, including a former Texas State Representative who later filed a lawsuit against O’Hare. Simmons plans to reinstate the court’s frequency of meetings to two per month, a change from the single monthly meeting that occurred under O’Hare. She also intends to expand public comment time from one minute back to three minutes.
Looking ahead, Simmons is already examining the county’s budget before officially taking office on January 1, 2027. She has expressed concerns regarding the county’s fiscal health, stating it is not as robust as previously suggested. Additionally, she intends to investigate the recent deaths at the Tarrant County Jail and to enhance access to behavioral and mental health services within the county.
“All of that partisanship has been an extreme distraction from doing the work,” Simmons noted. “So that is what I am excited about. I get to actually do policy work and govern and make improvements.”
