Democrat Ericka Lomick announced Monday that she is suspending her Texas House campaign for a northern Tarrant County seat, seemingly clearing the way for Republican Alan Blaylock<\/a>\u2019s victory in November.\u00a0<\/p>\n Lomick made the decision after a political action committee supporting Blaylock questioned her eligibility as a candidate, accusing her of \u201cfederal convictions, unpaid taxes and deceptive statements.\u201d Without confirming or denying the accusations, Lomick said in a statement that she wanted to \u201callow the people of HD 93 to elect someone who can serve the district without the burden of defending against attacks that would threaten to derail the business of the people.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Last week, the Protect and Serve Texas PAC published records showing Lomick was indicted and pleaded guilty to three federal felonies: mortgage fraud conspiracy, bank fraud related to a mortgage fraud scheme and money laundering conspiracy.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAfter careful consideration, I have made the decision to suspend my campaign for House District 93,\u201d Lomick said in the statement. \u201cAlthough this was not an easy decision, I am convinced that it was the right one for the people of HD 93.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Lomick appears to have since deleted her campaign accounts on social media. She did not return requests for comment.\u00a0<\/p>\n Allison Campolo, chair of the Tarrant County Democratic Party, said via text message that Lomick notified the party of the plan to suspend her campaign, and the party was assessing the situation. Campolo declined to comment further, deferring questions to Lomick\u2019s statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n With Lomick out of the race, Blaylock has an easier path to victory. The former Fort Worth City Council member won the Republican nomination after his opponent dropped out of the March primaries.\u00a0<\/p>\n Blaylock, 57, is retired from a career in tech. His campaign priorities include property tax relief, funding for public education and expanding community safety.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cOur campaign continues forward with an unwavering focus on lowering the cost of living, providing real, permanent property tax relief, strong schools and safe neighborhoods,\u201d Blaylock said via text message.\u00a0<\/p>\n In a Fort Worth Report candidate survey, Blaylock said he is seeking the office because \u201ceveryday Texas families are being left behind by a state government that too often prioritizes partisan bickering over practical problem-solving.\u201d He said he wants to keep Austin focused on \u201cpocketbook issues\u201d impacting Texas families, such as lower taxes and safer neighborhoods.\u00a0<\/p>\n Texas House District 93 covers north Fort Worth, Haslet and Saginaw. The seat is vacant after former Rep. Nate Schatzline, a Republican, stepped down to accept an appointment<\/a> advising Gov. Greg Abbott on election integrity. Before that appointment, Schatzline had already announced that he would not seek reelection as he accepted a position<\/a> on President Donald Trump\u2019s national faith advisory board.\u00a0<\/p>\n The District 93 race is set to appear twice<\/a> on the ballot because of a state law requiring the rest of Schatzline\u2019s term to be filled. One election will fill the remaining term from November to January, and the second fills the two-year term starting Jan. 12, when the Legislature convenes.\u00a0<\/p>\n Lomick will still appear on the ballot, as Texas election code does not allow party nominees to withdraw from a general election after the 74th day before the election.\u00a0<\/p>\n Election Day is Nov. 3, and early voting is Oct. 19-30. The last day to register<\/a> to vote is Oct. 5.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cecilia Lenzen is a government accountability reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at cecilia.lenzen@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n