‘This is a sideshow’: Tarrant County judge fires back at racism and misogyny allegations

A spokesperson for Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare deflected accusations of racism after a tense exchange between O’Hare and commissioner Alisa Simmons went viral earlier this week.

Spokesperson Ruth Ray accused Simmons of having a “history of alleging unfounded racism” in a statement sent to the Star-Telegram on Thursday shortly before O’Hare posted a copy on the social media platform X.

Ray cited Simmons’ comments during the hiring of new Tarrant County Administrator Chandler Merritt as an example.

In comments given before the September 2023 vote to approve Merrit’s hiring, Simmons said she believed racism and cronyism played a role in the process.

“This is a sideshow instigated by a Commissioner who repeatedly votes against public safety initiatives, including a recent vote against providing bullet proof vests for our dedicated law enforcement professionals,” Ray said.

She vowed O’Hare would work on issues like tax relief, law and order and government efficiency.

Ray’s statement came hours after residents and civil rights leaders gathered in front of the Tarrant County Courthouse to denounce O’Hare after he told Simmons to “sit there and be quiet” during a debate over a $5,000 contract with a political consultant.

Simmons is Black; O’Hare is white.

“You can’t say that to a woman in 2024,” said Kennedy Jones, president of the Arlington NAACP chapter, speaking at Thursday’s gathering. He said O’Hare’s comments were like being transported to the 1960s when women had less political power and autonomy.

O’Hare’s office also issued a response Thursday to questions from the Star-Telegram about his decision to hire political consultant Noah Betz to fill a soon-to-be vacated communications role in the judge’s office.

Betz’s contract caused the disagreement between O’Hare and Simmons that led to Thursday’s gathering.

Betz serves as principal with a Metroplex-based consulting firm, and is executive director of the Huffines Liberty Foundation, a think-tank started by former state Sen. and gubernatorial candidate Don Huffines.

Simmons questioned the decision to hire Betz, arguing county money shouldn’t be used to support partisan political consulting.

“Judge O’Hare already has a veteran political consultant who he trusts, paid for solely through his campaign account. He doesn’t need or want another consultant. This contractor will not be used for political consulting,” spokeperson Ray said in an email to the Star-Telegram.

She again accused Simmons of hypocrisy noting one of her staffers, Gabe Rivas, owns a political consulting company, and serves as the vice chair of the Tarrant County Democratic Party.

The vice chair position is voluntary, Rivas said in a phone interview. He also acknowledged being a political consultant, but said he hasn’t had a client since starting to work for the county.

Rivas noted he could still take on clients in his free time, however, he said most of his free time is take up by his job working for the county.

In a statement Friday evening, Simmons said O’Hare has a habit of attempting to punish commissioners who vote or speak out against abuses.

“His condescending and disrespectful behavior toward me and public commentors has been consistently unprofessional since we assumed office,” she said.

Simmons said she is focused on watching taxpayer funds, ensuring transparency and eliminating waste and inefficiencies. She said she is proud of her accomplishments during her time on the Commissioners Court.

She, O’Hare and Manny Ramirez took office Jan. 1, 2023.

Staff writers Noah Alcala-Bach, and Kamal Morgan contributed to this story.