Tarrant County administration building
Madeleine Cook
Star-Telegram
Two Democrats are on the primary ballot for Tarrant County clerk, who serves as custodian of vital records including deeds, birth and death certificates and various business records. The winner in the March 3 primary will advance to the November ballot and challenge Republican Mary Louise Nicholson.
Here are the Democrats’ responses to the Star-Telegram’s candidate questionnaire, in the order they’ll appear on the ballot.
Lydia Bean
Age (as of March 3): 45
Campaign website: www.lydiafortexas.com
Best way for voters to reach you: lydia@lydiafortexas.com
Occupation: Small Business Owner
Education: Ph.D. in Sociology, Harvard University. A.M. in Sociology, Harvard University. B.A. in Spanish and Music, Austin College
Have you run for elected office before? Democratic nominee for Texas House District 93, 2020 Democratic candidate for Congress in 2021 special election in TX-6
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in Tarrant County.
I am a small business owner, mother, and champion for transparency in local government. I co-founded a coalition that helps citizens advocate for their priorities within local government. In 2023, I advised the Commissioner’s Court that they were misusing federal funds by clawing back dollars budgeted for healthcare, housing and childcare. In 2024, I helped convince the County to cancel a multi-million dollar contract with a private prison that failed state inspection. I previously led a nonprofit organization that brought diverse people together to work for change.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? No
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
Anne T. and Robert M. Bass. Helen LaKelly Hunt. Eric Goff
Why are you seeking this office?
As a longtime community leader, I have seen firsthand how badly we need fresh leadership, accountability, and accessibility in the County Clerk’s office. I am a small business owner with a Ph.D., ready on day one to run this office efficiently and effectively. I am founder and President of Equipa, a firm that advises nonprofits and foundations on evaluation, strategy, and leadership development. I hold a B.A. from Austin College and a Ph.D. in Sociology from Harvard University. In 2024, I helped convince the Tarrant County Commissioners Court to cancel a multi-million dollar contract with a private prison that failed state inspection. Tarrant County has been harmed by our extremist County Judge Tim O’Hare and his allies and enablers, including the incumbent County Clerk. I am committed to turning around our county government so we can put effective governance for the people first for a change.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Here are three changes I will make:
1. The County Clerk has authority over elections administration. The incumbent has helped our County Judge advance his voter suppression agenda. I will stand up for voting rights as the deciding vote on the Tarrant County Elections Commission.
2. I will convene a Citizens Advisory Committee to increase public input to make voting accessible for all citizens.
3. I will champion transparency and public participation in the county budgeting process.
The County Judge has pushed through deep cuts to social services and healthcare by keeping his budget agenda secret and shutting down public input. As County Clerk, I will actively encourage public input on the proposed County budget.
How will you measure your success as County Clerk?
Doing business with Tarrant County should be fast, friendly, and frustration-free–that’s my goal as the next County Clerk. Throughout my career, I have helped many organizations utilize community engagement and user experience research to improve their processes, and I’ll bring that same data-driven approach to improving Tarrant County. government. I want people to feel respected and empowered every time they interact with our office, whether in person, by phone, or online. Creating this experience will be my top priority in leading a team of over 160 employees in over eight locations.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
As a seasoned executive with a Ph.D., I bring the leadership experience and data management background needed to run the County Clerk’s office efficiently and effectively. The incumbent oversaw the botched rollout of new software that still didn’t work after twelve years and $26 million spent. We need a County Clerk who can manage complex projects, hold vendors accountable, and build alignment with the many stakeholders who rely on this office.
The incumbent has also enabled our extremist County Judge Tim O’Hare in his attacks on voting rights, as his Vice-chair on the Tarrant County Elections Commission. Her deciding vote has made it possible for O’Hare to run off an effective elections administrator and close hundreds of polling locations. As the next Tarrant County Clerk, I will lead this office with integrity, humility, and independence from the toxic partisanship that has characterized O’Hare’s leadership.
Gregoire Lewis
Age (as of March 3): 52
Campaign website: n/a
Best way for voters to reach you: bsky.app/profile/gregoirelewis.bsky.social
Occupation: Insurance Risk Manager
Education: Associates degree
Have you run for elected office before? no
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in Tarrant County.
Political news broadcasting for over 10 years
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? Traffic violations like speeding.
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? no
Who are your top three campaign contributors? n/a
Why are you seeking this office?
My main focus is more transparency and freedom of information from the clerks office.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Easier access to all public information with less roadblocks while fighting to protect personal and private voter information. Simplified language and explanations for bonds, propositions, and Texas house bills to be posted so people understand what they are voting for. Easier access to voting records of elected officials so voters can see what they actually do and not just listen to what they say.
How will you measure your success as County Clerk?
Community engagement.
An increase in positive feedback and reduction in complaints.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
My opponent has been in the position for over a decade yet they still receive the same complaints year after year. That suggests they are unwilling or uncaring to change for the benefit of Tarrant county constituents. I plan to visit every county office personally to insure the highest customer service standards are maintained and work to address and resolve any and every complaint.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Rachel Royster is a news and government reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, specifically focused on Tarrant County. She joined the newsroom after interning at the Austin American-Statesman, the Waco Tribune-Herald and Capital Community News in DC. A Houston native and Baylor grad, Rachel enjoys traveling, reading and being outside. She welcomes any and all news tips to her email.