Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare (R-Tarrant County) is criticizing his Democratic election opponent, Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons (D-Precinct 2), over resurfaced remarks to a Marine veteran and a 2023 vote on body armor for sheriff’s deputies.
“She repeatedly attacks county staff who don’t support her false narratives,” O’Hare wrote in an X post. He quoted Simmons telling Elections Administrator Clint Ludwig not to mention his Marine service again and called her remarks revealing of her character.
Remarks during polling-site debate
The exchange occurred during the August 19, 2025, Commissioners Court meeting, as members debated polling locations for the November 4, 2025, election.
Simmons told Ludwig, “you’re not worth two damn cents,” and accused him of giving conflicting answers about whether the court could postpone the item.
Ludwig responded that his staff had time to handle the programming, but he and the assistant elections administrator would be unavailable for the September 3 meeting. He said he wanted the court to discuss the proposal and give his team a list of sites.
Later, Simmons told Ludwig: “And don’t you ever say anything about being a Marine again.” She then referred to her son’s Marine service before telling Ludwig, “you’re embarrassing.”
Ludwig served 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and completed multiple deployments, including to Afghanistan, Fort Worth Report reported in a 2021 profile.
Simmons’ motion to table the polling-location proposal failed 2-3, according to official minutes. The court subsequently adopted her amendment adding four early voting sites, then approved the amended list 3-2, with Simmons and Commissioner Roderick Miles Jr. (D-Precinct 1) opposed.
Body armor contract draws criticism
O’Hare also highlighted Simmons’ opposition to a 2023 law enforcement equipment measure in a separate post promoting a campaign ad.
“Deputy Todd Tipton was shot three times while serving a warrant on a child sex offender. He survived. Not every deputy will be so fortunate. Alisa Simmons voted against funding bulletproof vests for our deputies. Voters deserve to know,” O’Hare wrote.
The August 15, 2023, county packet identifies the measure as an annual contract with GT Distributors Inc. to purchase body armor for specialized sheriff’s units, including Warrants, Criminal Investigation and Human Trafficking. The contract allowed purchases as needed.
The court approved the contract 4-1. Simmons cast the lone opposing vote, while then-Commissioner Roy Brooks (D-Precinct 1) supported it, Texas Wire reported.
A suspect shot Tipton three times on August 7, 2024, as deputies attempted to serve felony warrants at a Fort Worth home, according to a sheriff’s office release. The agency said the warrants concerned crimes against children and credited fellow deputies with pulling Tipton to safety and saving his life.
County judge race
O’Hare and Simmons face each other in the November 3 county judge election. Simmons won the March 3 Democratic primary with 61.35% of the vote, according to official election results.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, O’Hare also criticized Simmons after her lone vote against accepting private donations for an Alamo monument at the historic 1895 Tarrant County Courthouse. The court approved the donations 4-1 on August 4.
The Dallas Express reached out to Simmons for comment regarding O’Hare’s latest criticism but did not receive a response.
Provided by Dallas Express
