Aftab Siddiqui with the Peace and Justice Center protests outside of the Tarrant County Commissioners Court against the proposed cut of polling places on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026 in Fort Worth.
Abigail Dollins
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
It was a busy week in Tarrant County. From a courthouse ruling on polling sites to a prayer service on the courthouse lawn, a commissioner’s eyebrow-raising claim about public speakers and some high-profile Republicans quietly stepping away from Ken Paxton, here are the five stories that got your neighbors talking between Oct. 12 and 18.
A judge says no to reopening 92 polling sites
District Judge J. Patrick Gallagher denied a temporary injunction that would have forced Tarrant County to reinstate 92 polling locations cut ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Plaintiffs argued the reductions placed an unequal burden on Black and Hispanic voters, while the county’s attorney said reopening sites days before early voting would be nearly impossible.
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Mercy Culture holds a ‘spiritual protest’ at the courthouse
About 50 Mercy Culture Church congregants gathered in front of the Tarrant County Administration Building on Oct. 13 to sing, pray and take communion before the commissioners court meeting. Ministry director Emmanuel Cota called it a “spiritual protest against the evil spirits that are influencing Tarrant County” and said the group is praying for “righteous and just leaders” to win on Nov. 3.
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Cornyn, Betsy Price and other Republicans skip Paxton
Columnist Bud Kennedy tallied up the long list of Texas Republicans who aren’t backing Ken Paxton two weeks out from Election Day — including U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, former Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, former House Speaker Dade Phelan and state Rep. Charlie Geren of Fort Worth. Price, who told KTVT/Channel 11 she’ll skip that line on the ballot, previously texted a Star-Telegram reporter that Paxton is “corrupt and immoral.”
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A commissioner says 75% of critics are ‘paid’
In a recorded private conversation with retired news anchor Jack Bowen, Commissioner Manny Ramirez claimed roughly 75% of the people who speak at Commissioners Court meetings are “actually paid by the political organizations” they represent. Regulars at the meetings pushed back hard. “You can’t pay me enough to do this,” resident Deborah Kratky said. “I do it because I love Tarrant County, maybe more than you.”
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Hinojosa: ‘Yes, and I will’ end the Fort Worth takeover
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa told reporters in Austin that she would end existing state takeovers — including the one at the Fort Worth school district — if elected governor. Asked directly if she could and would direct the Texas Education Agency to unwind them, she answered: “Yes, and I will.” Gov. Greg Abbott’s campaign pointed to a recent interview in which he defended the state’s intervention.
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This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.
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