Dear Fellow Republicans,

Below is an updated list of candidates that I am endorsing as Chairman of the Tarrant County Republican Party. There are a few more than what I sent out Thursday evening. After many email and phone calls, I want to give you an explanation as to why some of your preferred candidates do not appear on this list.

As you may well know, the Tarrant GOP has put out candidate primary voting records for the past several years. Feedback has always been that the list was a very helpful resource in understanding which candidates are Republican vs Democrat, at least with regard to primary voting history. 

This year the Democrats, through various means have decided to get involved in local elections which are historically non-partisan races. As a result, many have asked what the Republican Party is doing. There are over 360 municipal candidates this year in Tarrant County alone. For the first time that any past Party Chair can report - I reached out to many of them - we have candidates coming to the Party for the traditional support we provide to our Republican candidates in their general elections - walk lists, phone lists, candidate resources, etc.

As the Tarrant GOP Chairman, I have been trying to figure out what else, if anything, the Tarrant GOP should do to support “our” candidates in these races. I recently met with our leadership team and asked thoughts on endorsing. Their message was clear: do not endorse one Republican over another. In addition to Party rules prohibiting it, it’s simply not appropriate to divide the Party or candidate supporters in that way. As such, I have endorsed only in races where there is one clear Republican versus a clear Democrat or where the opponent has not affiliated with a party. The following is an updated list of those candidates.

Arlington City Council District 4 – Andrew Piel

Azle Mayor – Alan Brundrett, Jr

Bedford City Council District 2 – Dave Gebhart

Blue Mound Mayor – William Zimmer

Burleson City Council District 5 – Melissa Tinkle

Colleyville City Council District 5 – Charles "Chuck" Kelley

Colleyville City Council District 6 – Callie Jo Rigney

Fort Worth City Council District 6 – Jungus Jordan

Grapevine City Mayor – Bill Tate

Hurst City Council District 1 – David Booe

Hurst City Council District 2 – John Miller

Hurst City Council District 6 – Jon McKenzie

Mansfield City Council District 5 – Julie Short

North Richland Hills City Council District 5 – Patrick Faram

Roanoke City Mayor – Carl “Scooter” Gierisch

Southlake City Mayor – John Huffman

Southlake City Council Place 2 – Randy Robbins

Southlake City Council Place 5 – Amy Torres-Lepp

Arlington ISD Place 2 – Melody Fowler

Birdville ISD Place 4 – Matt Womble

Birdville ISD Place 5 – Richard Davis Jr

Carroll ISD Place 4 – Cam Bryan

Carroll ISD Place 5 – Hannah Smith

HEB ISD Place 3 – Matt Romero

HEB ISD Place 4 – Rochelle Ross

HEB ISD Place 5 – Chris Brown

Keller ISD Place 6 – Charles Randklev

Keller ISD Place 7 – Ruthie Keyes

Mansfield ISD Place 1 – Michelle Newsome

TCC Board of Trustees Place 5 – Christi Clanton

Remember that early voting begins this Monday, April 19 and goes through Tuesday, April 27. Election Day is Saturday, May 1. Please see below for a full schedule and list of locations throughout Tarrant County.

Sincerely,

Rick Barnes

Chairman,

Tarrant County Republican Party