Live updates: Democrat Alisa Simmons wins Tarrant County commissioner race in Precinct 2

Republican Andy Nguyen has conceded the Tarrant County Commissioner Precinct 2 race to Democrat Alisa Simmons.

Nguyen trailed Simmons the whole night, and with 292 of 316 vote centers reporting, he admitted he could not close the gap.

“The people have spoken and I will accept the people’s will,” he wrote in a text.

Simmons did not immediately respond to requests seeking comment.

Simmons, who finished with 51% of the vote, according to unofficial results, will fill the seat vacated by outgoing commissioner Devan Allen, which encompasses the cities of Arlington, Dalworthington Gardens, Grand Prairie, Kennedale, Mansfield, and Pantego.

Nguyen held the seat from 2011 to 2018 before losing to Allen in 2018.

Simmons told supporters at a Democratic Party watch party Tuesday that she was encouraged by the early voting and absentee results.

Simmons made lowering property taxes, combating violent crime and improving access to mental heath care centerpieces of her campaign.

She told reporters Tuesday she said she was concerned about media reports of problems with the Tarrant County jail, however, if elected Simmons said she would make sure she had a clear understanding of the jail’s problems before acting on reforms.

She pointed to her previous experience managing the budget of the county’s 911 system to argue she would find innovative ways to be both fiscally responsible while addressing the needs of county residents.

Nguyen leaned into his previous commission experience to bolster his case about being the better candidate to lower the county’s property taxes while managing the impacts of its explosive growth.

He also put an emphasis on fighting violent crime, writing in a Star-Telegram candidate survey that he would sufficiently fund law enforcement and mental health resources to improve public safety.

Simmons will begin her four year term Jan. 1, 2023.

County commissioner, Precinct 4

Republican Manny Ramirez defeated Democrat Cedric Kanyinda in the Tarrant County commissioner race for Precinct 4, according to unofficial results.

Ramirez received 59% of the vote, according to unofficial results.

The precinct spans the northwest corner of the county including the cities of Lake Worth, Sansom Park and White Settlement. The precinct lines also dip into the city of Fort Worth’s urban core, including the Stockyards, Cultural District and Near Southside neighborhoods.

Ramirez said he was humbled by the early vote totals but cautioned that winning an election isn’t the achievement he’s after.

“We’ve got to do a good job for the residents of Precinct 4,” he said.

Kanyinda acknowledged Ramirez’s commanding vote lead, but said he wanted to see the vote tally play out.

“There may still be a comeback,” he said.

Precinct 4 one of the fastest growing parts of Tarrant County.

“When it comes to growth, we’ve got to put the cart before the horse,” Ramirez said. He argued Tarrant County needs to do a better job of building out its infrastructure before approving new housing projects.

“We can’t have growth for growth’s sake,” he said.

Ramirez said the county should partner with developers to help build out roads, sidewalks and storm water infrastructure in areas where new development is rapidly replacing farm and pasture land.

He also advocated for a new strategic plan, so the county can better prepare for Tarrant County’s rapid growth.

Kanyinda said one of his priorities should he win the election would be the creation of a public defender’s office arguing residents shouldn’t have to go bankrupt on attorney’s fees to get representation.

Ramirez and Kanyinda are running to replace Commissioner J.D. Johnson, who’s held the seat since 1987.

Ramirez, who serves as president of the Fort Worth Police Officers Association, wrote in a Star-Telegram candidate questionnaire that his three priorities were public safety, infrastructure development and tax relief.

He has called for increased staffing in the juvenile court system to help address a backlog of cases and advocated for fully staffing the Sheriff’s Office to improve oversight and accountability.

The Star-Telegram has reported on numerous problems in the county’s juvenile justice system and jails, including inmates who have died while incarcerated.

Kanyinda has advocated for finding alternatives to juvenile justice outside the court system. He also stated his priorities are health care, infrastructure and a “woman’s right to choose.”

The winner will begin the four year term on Jan. 1.

County clerk

Incumbent Republican Mary Louise Nicholson is leading his Democratic challenger Linsey Fagan 54% to 46% with 292 of 316 vote centers reporting.

County district clerk

Incumbent Republican Tom Wilder is leading his Democratic challenger Ruby Faye Woolridge 54% to 46% with 292 of 316 vote centers reporting.