Fort Worth school board candidate questions opponent’s eligibility, residency
Wallace Bridges, a candidate for the District 4 Fort Worth school board seat, is calling for an investigation of his opponent, Brian Dixon, claiming that Dixon does not reside in the district.
Michael Bell, a spokesperson for the Tarrant County Local Organizing Committee, held a press conference outside of Dixon’s listed home address of 1109 Leuda St. on Thursday to demand an investigation from the Fort Worth school district into Dixon’s residency. He said a lawsuit against Dixon is an option.
The focus on Dixon’s residency was brought to the forefront on April 6, when Bridges filed a complaint with the Fort Worth school district regarding the suspension of Dixon’s voter registration by the Tarrant County Elections Commission.
Bridges claimed the suspension was because the county didn’t know where Dixon lives and Dixon actually resides outside of the district. Dixon said the registration was suspended because of an error by the elections commission that has since been fixed.
Dixon’s voter registration is listed as “active” on the Tarrant County Election’s website.
“I maintain a residence in the Historic Southside, period,” Dixon told the Star-Telegram Editorial Board on Tuesday.
The Fort Worth school district is not investigating Dixon’s residency. The district confirms residency with the county, which lists Dixon’s address as 1109 Leuda St.
Tarrant County Elections Commission is headed by County Judge Glen Whitley, who was not immediately available for comment.
Dixon, a child psychiatrist, owns three properties in Tarrant County. Only one, a single-family home listed at 1104 East Leuda St., falls within District 4, according to the Tarrant Appraisal District.
Dixon’s voter registration and candidate application list his address as 1109 Leuda St, which is not owned by Dixon, according to the Tarrant Appraisal District.
Dixon said he leases 1109 Leuda St, the home across the street from 1104 East Leuda St, the house that he owns and claims a homestead exemption.
Dixon owns another single-family home at 8336 Blue Periwinkle Lane, which falls within the Crowley school district, and vacant residential land that falls within District 2.
Bridges claims that Dixon actually lives within the Crowley school district and isn’t eligible to serve in the District 4 seat.
“The frustration for me is that there are outside sources going to Crowley to identify a person to run this race,” Bridges said. “There are folks that for whatever reason want to control District 4.”
Dixon was not immediately available for a follow-up comment.
Under state law, school board seat candidates must reside within the boundaries of the district position they seek for at least six months before election day.
This story was originally published April 21, 2022 at 5:23 PM.
