The Tarrant County Commissioners Court was decked out in patriotic regalia at their June 9, 2026, meeting.
Rachel Royster
rroyster@star-telegram.com
Republicans on the Tarrant County Commissioners Court denied their Democratic colleague’s use of county facilities Tuesday under the assumption she would be using them for political activity, which is illegal under Texas Election Code.
Democratic Commissioner Alisa Simmons, of Precinct 2, asked permission from the court of five members to use the Arlington Subcourthouse, where her office is, for monthly town hall meetings from July to October. She asked the court to waive the $1,314 cost to pay the necessary staff and security.
Simmons is challenging Tim O’Hare for his seat as county judge in the Nov. 3 election.
Simmons and fellow Democratic Commissioner Roderick Miles voted to approve the request, but the pair was outnumbered by the three Republicans, O’Hare and commissioners Matt Krause and Manny Ramirez.
Friday morning, O’Hare posted on X that Simmons was trying to “misuse taxpayer-funded facilities to hold political, self-serving events.”
O’Hare’s post said Simmons disguised the event’s true purpose by calling it a town hall.
The responsibility of county government is to serve taxpayers, not subsidize political activity. Commissioner Alisa Simmons recently sought to hold what were described as evening town hall meetings, all scheduled between now and the November election, while requesting that… pic.twitter.com/VdPiOeMsEh
— Tim O’Hare (@TimothyOHare) June 12, 2026
On Friday, Simmons told the Star-Telegram the town hall meetings would cover the budget, the Southeast Connector Project and mental health services in the county jail.
“County facilities are funded and maintained with taxpayer dollars,” Simmons said Friday evening. “Residents should have reasonable opportunities to use those facilities to learn about county services, county projects and county government.”
When Krause said the four town halls being in the midst of a contentious election season was coincidental, Simmons denied having planned any political activity for the town halls.
“It seems very coincidental, maybe, that these town halls line up right when the election season is really ramping up,” Krause said. “We’ve got four in four months, which is right during the heat of that. It kind of seems like to me, maybe we’re using the fee waiver and access to the courtrooms, it could be for political activity.”
Early voting begins Oct. 19 and runs through Oct. 30. The last proposed Precinct 2 town hall was set for October 22, though Simmons’s term lasts until December.
When Krause asked why she wanted to plan the four town halls all of a sudden after not hosting any town halls in over a year, Simmons blamed the July 2025 salary guideline changes that resulted in Precinct 2 staffing cuts.
Friday evening, Simmons told the Star-Telegram that Precinct 2 typically does not schedule town halls during the holidays. In the past, the last town hall of the year was in October.
On the dais, Simmons said her office has held six or seven town halls a year since she became commissioner at the beginning of 2023.
The Star-Telegram verified 15 town halls, among many other community events, from 2023 to 2025. The town halls provided insight on topics including road projects, county assistance programs and protesting property appraisals.
“This is absolutely nothing new,” Simmons said Tuesday in court.
“So no political activity, nothing partisan, no email gathering, no any of that stuff?” Krause probed.
“Absolutely no. You can’t. No. You can’t do that,” Simmons said. “I’m not unethical in any way.”
Since the town halls were denied on Tuesday, several local groups have offered their facilities. Simmons said her team is also exploring virtual options for the town halls.
“My commitment remains unchanged,” Simmons said Friday. “Whether in a county facility, a community center, a school auditorium, or online, I will continue providing opportunities for residents to receive information, ask questions, and engage with their local government.”
This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 3:48 PM.
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.