Tarrant redistricting: Dems to propose their own plan for commissioner precincts
Tarrant County’s two Democratic commissioners appear ready to continue fighting against a plan to redistrict precinct lines ahead of next year’s elections.
Two weeks ago, the Commissioners Court voted 3-2 along party lines to hire Virginia-based Public Interest Legal Foundation to redraw commissioner precincts, which haven’t been updated in 15 years despite growth. County Judge Tim O’Hare selected the law firm, which previously defended Galveston County commissioners in federal court after 2021 redistricting was challenged as racial gerrymandering.
One of the two Democrats, Alisa Simmons of Precinct 2, intends to propose at the court’s April 15 meeting that the county hire an Austin firm to consult on redistricting for her and fellow Democrat Roderick Miles of Precinct 1. Both Simmons and Miles opposed hiring Public Interest Legal Foundation, asking why O’Hare chose the firm instead of seeking proposals or using county staff.
Simmons, O’Hare and Republican Commissioner Manny Ramirez are up for reelection in 2026.
When county commissioners are allowed to redistrict
Usually, counties use decennial census data to determine if a redistricting is necessary. The 2021 Commissioners Court, which has no overlap with the 2025 court, decided not to redistrict, as the precinct lines were within a 2% margin of error. Per the Texas Election Code, commissioners can decide to redistrict in March or April of odd-numbered years.
In addition to being outdated, the current precinct map is obviously gerrymandered, supporters say.
Democrats have consistently held Miles’ Precinct 1 seat. The precinct includes Forest Hill, Edgecliff Village, Crowley and Burleson.
Precinct 2 includes Arlington, Dalworthington Gardens, Kennedale, Mansfield, Pantego and Grand Prairie. Republicans represented the district for 34 years until Democrat Devan Allen took the seat in 2019. Simmons won the seat in the 2022 election.
According to the meeting agenda, Simmons on April 15 will ask the court to consider employing Austin-based law firm Brazil and Dunn LLP to give legal advice on the redistricting for herself and Miles. Neither she nor Miles responded immediately for comment Monday.
The legal services would include providing legal advice, drawing potential maps and appearing before commissioners to discuss the potential adoption of a new map. The cost associated would not exceed $30,000 — the same amount on the Public Interest Legal Foundation contract.
The meeting will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday on the fifth floor of the Tarrant County Administration Building.