Battles heat up to lead Tarrant County Republican and Democratic parties

Some say it’s a thankless job.

Even so, there’s a fight brewing in Tarrant County to determine who should lead the local Republican and Democratic parties.

For Republicans, Tim O’Hare and David Wylie both want to replace outgoing chair Jennifer Hall, who isn’t seeking re-election.

For Democrats, Deborah Peoples wants another term, but Gary Livingston wants voters to choose him instead.

“It's very hard to keep people satisfied as chair of the county party,” said Jim Riddlesperger, a political science professor at Texas Christian University. “It’s a lot of work and no pay, kind of a thankless task.

“You have to have someone who is willing to donate a huge amount of time and have fairly thick skin. Still, it’s not surprising to see several people might compete for that position.”

Early voting for the March 1 primary runs Feb. 16-26.

Republicans

O’Hare, a former Farmers Branch mayor, and Wylie, a longtime GOP activist, hope to lead Tarrant County’s Republican Party, since Hall announced last year she’s not seeking another term.

O’Hare, a 46-year-old real estate investor and attorney who moved to Southlake with his family in 2014, was the first to jump into the race.

“I’m a proven conservative Republican,” he said. “While in office, I took on illegal immigration, was the architect of term limits, cut taxes for Senior Citizens and reduced the size of government.

“People are sick of Washington, D.C., shenanigans and fixing what is wrong with our government starts here locally,” O’Hare said. “I have the support of Republicans from all factions, and have an ability to communicate and get things done.”

Wylie, a 52-year-old application developer and consultant, said he joined the race after activists asked him to consider running.

“Having been a part of the Tarrant County Republican Party most of my adult life, I have seen what works and what does not work when it comes to getting voters involved and candidates elected,” he said. “My technology background has allowed me to accumulate an exceptionally large database of voter registration information that enables precinct chairs to produce neighborhood walklists and mailers to turn out the vote.

“I have personally recruited and trained precinct chairs countywide. For the SD10 convention we fundraised more money than any other convention in the state, I would like to do this countywide.”

Democrats

Peoples, first chosen to lead the party in 2013 through a special election of precinct chairs, said she wants to keep helping local Democrats.

“As a single parent who raised and educated two daughters, I understand issues that impact working people, like education, equal pay and Health Care,” she said. “As a member of the workforce, I have 35 years in building and managing teams. I have extensive experience working with diverse cultural constituencies.

“I am adept at putting together winning teams and understand the need to build consensus,” the 63-year-old said. “Democrats come with many different viewpoints. I want room at the table for all.”

Livingston, a 66-year-old retired Bell Helicopter union president and dispatcher, said he would do a good job of leading the party locally.

“My leadership and financial expertise are unmatched,” he said. “I have held numerous Democratic positions at the local, state and national level. I have been involved in grassroots efforts and all facets of operations at many levels in the state and county.”

“To turn Tarrant County Blue again, we must have boots on the ground, money in the bank, and staff our precincts with Precinct Chairs — they are the backbone of a county party.”

This story was originally published February 7, 2016 at 4:42 PM with the headline "Battles heat up to lead Tarrant County Republican and Democratic parties."