A North Texas Navy veteran and veterans’ advocate is calling on Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons (D-Precinct 2) to publicly apologize for telling Elections Administrator Clint Ludwig not to mention being a Marine again.
Kolton Krottinger, a Navy veteran and founder of Anxiety Solutions of America, a nonprofit that serves veterans and first responders, criticized Simmons in an interview with The Dallas Express after the newspaper reported on the August 19, 2025, exchange.
“As a Navy veteran, I call upon Commissioner Alisa Simmons to publicly apologize to Clint Ludwig and the veteran community. Clint served this country for 20 years in the Marine Corps. During a disagreement over polling locations, you told him, ‘Don’t you ever say anything about being a Marine again.’”
Remarks during a polling-location dispute
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Simmons made the remarks during a Commissioners Court meeting about polling locations for the November 4, 2025, election.
Simmons accused Ludwig of providing inconsistent answers about postponing the proposal and told him, “you’re not worth two damn cents.”
Ludwig said his staff could complete the programming but explained that he and the assistant elections administrator could not attend the September 3 meeting. He wanted commissioners to discuss the proposal and identify the sites his team should use.
Simmons later told Ludwig: “And don’t you ever say anything about being a Marine again.” She mentioned her son’s service in the Marines and told Ludwig, “you’re embarrassing.”
Ludwig’s 20-year Marine Corps career included multiple deployments, including to Afghanistan, according to the earlier reporting.
A call for a public apology
Krottinger called on Simmons to address Ludwig directly and explain her remarks.
“Commissioner, your campaign promises to ‘stand up to bullies.’ I want you to address your words to Clint directly, explain what you meant, and acknowledge his service. Make that apology publicly, in your own words, so Clint and the veteran community can hear it from you,” Krottinger told The Dallas Express.
Simmons’ campaign website states, “I will stand up to bullies, to corruption, and to anyone who tries to sell out the people of Tarrant County.”
Simmons is challenging Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare (R-Tarrant County) in the November 3, 2026, election.
The Dallas Express reached out to Simmons for comment but did not receive a response.
Provided by Dallas Express
