Candidates for Tarrant County District Clerk in November 8 election
Tom Wilder
Political party (if applicable): Republican
Age as of November 8, 2022: 79
Campaign website: www.districtclerktomwilder.com
Occupation: Tarrant County District Clerk
Education: 750 hours of classes with information directly related to the operation of the District Clerks office, UT Law School, Texas A&M V.G. Young Institute of County Government and Texas District Court Alliance. Also attended University of Dallas and N. Texas University — 3 years. Many other webinars.
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought): District Clerk and County Commissioner (County Commissioner was in 1984)
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Northeast leaders forum, Tarrant County Bar Association Pro Bono Committee, previous member of Lions Club, D.A.R.E. Board of Directors, Brotherhood of the Fallen Contributor, 1983 Charter Member of Mid Cities Pacesetters Rotary Club
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Linebarger Law Firm, Cantey Hanger Law Firm, Arlington Republican Club
What is the most important distinction between you and your opponent(s)? Qualifications.
What are the three biggest issues in this race? Qualifications, competence and track record in office and personal character.
Ruby Faye Woolridge
Political party (if applicable): Democrat
Age as of November 8, 2022: 74
Campaign website: www.voterubyfaye.com
Occupation: Former Arlington City Councilmember/Business Owner
Education: Master’s Degree-Northeastern State University, SMU-Diaconal Ministry Degree, Northeastern State University B.A. Education-Diaconal Ministry Degree -SMU
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought): Yes, I was elected to the Arlington City Council
Please list highlights of your civic involvement:
Member Arlington City Council, Mayor’s Advisory Council, President Norwood Neighnorhood Association, Member AISD Partners and Superintendent Advisory Committee, Member Arlington Parks and Recreation Board of Directors, Board of Director Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, ABCC-Councilwoman of the Year 2022, NTHEA Board-Treasurer
2017 Arlington Volunteer of the Year, XTO 2020 Woman of the Year for Community Service
2019 Arlington NAACP Award, and UTA Women’s Oral History Honoree
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Our campaign of grassroots Citizens, Me and UAW-CAP
What is the most important distinction between you and your opponent(s)?
My opponent has been in office 27 years and has overseen the loss of more than $800,000 due to uncertified staff preparing passports at home, established extremist policies for District Clerk services, hired vendors to upgrade historical paper documents to computer that has not been completed after more than 10 years, and this office continues to use outdated technology causing staff to work twice as hard. My experience handling a $1.9 billion budget, overseeing more than 3000 employees and managing more than 20 departments while improving staff safety and salaries uniquely qualifies me for this job. I will work to restore passport services and rebuild relationships. Tarrant County property taxpayers pay some of the highest rates in Texas. As District Clerk, I will recognize and respect taxpayers instead of charging them extreme fees to get their records. The District Clerk’s Office will upgrade its computer technology to provide better customer service.
What are the three biggest issues in this race?
A hallmark of our campaign has been to hold town halls to listen to Tarrant county residents. By engaging voters directly, I have learned invested stakeholders desire an efficient, transparent and responsive District Clerk’s Office. Informing Tarrant County residents about what the office does for them is very important. The second issue is improving technology, communication and customer service in a cost effective manner. 3. Demonstrating a considerate, transparent, accountable and accessible management style that is fair to staff and residents and will reduce the highest staff attrition rate in Tarrant County.
