Candidates for Tarrant County Constable, Precinct 4 in Republican primary on March 5
Carolyn Gilmore
Email: cmgilmore29@gmail.com
Age (as of March, 5 2024): 54
Campaign website: carolynforconstable.com
Best way for voters to reach you. By call or text (817) 876-7451
Occupation: Retired Fort Worth Police Officer
Education: Texas A&M University-Commerce pursuing Criminal Justice Degree, FBI-National Command Course, DOJ-Procedural Justice, Sam Houston State University (LEMIT) New Chief Development, DEA-Quantico, VA Asset Forfeiture, Master Peace Officer, Mental Health Peace Officer, Hostage/Crisis Negotiator, Instructor License, Telecommunications (911-Dispatcher) license, DEA-Operation Jetway Training, Fort Worth Police Academy and currently 2,928 TCOLE training hours.
Have you run for elected office before? 2022 Republican Primary for Unexpired term for Tarrant County Constable Precinct 4
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism.
Member of Northwest Tarrant Lion’s Club, Board Member-Scenic Shores Neighborhood Association, Upward Basketball Coach, 4th grade mentor for Academy 4-Blue Haze Elementary, Ambassador for JR98, Inc Mental Health/Suicide Prevention, former chair Fort Worth Cops for Kids, past board member Assist the Officer-Fort Worth and sponsor several youth athletic associations in Precinct 4.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding?
No.
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding?
Chapter 7 bankruptcy-24 years ago
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
Alice Moore Prince, Bob Prince and Sharen Wilson
Why are you seeking this office?
It was through my volunteerism and engaging with community that I was motivated to serve in a elected capacity. When I learned the function of the constable office I knew I was qualified for the position. It is vital the candidate is qualified for the position. I believe the constable office should take a more active role in the community so citizens are aware of its function and how it can serve them.
What are the biggest challenges facing a Tarrant County Constable for Precinct 4?
One of the biggest challenges is the whole campaign process. Raising funds to run a successful campaign and battling false narratives about yourself. It is a challenge getting the truth out to voters. With so many mailers with scattered endorsements it’s confusing to voters. Some of the organizations are not even vetting each candidate, it’s an unfair practice and often endorsements are purchased. Check a candidate’s campaign finance reports to see where money was spent. I encourage each voter to do their own research and reach out to the candidate. The biggest challenge with being elected as the constable in this precinct will be correcting the issues of what the current constable has created his short time in office.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
The top priority should always be and will be is a good steward of the tax payer’s money. I will place a high emphasis on officer/deputy health and wellness. Lastly, to bring the office in compliance with Texas Best Practices which is recognized by the Texas Police Chief’s Association.
How will you measure your success as a Tarrant County Constable for Precinct 4?
I believe one should measure success as a team. The office has never had a recruitment or retention issue before this sitting constable. Past constables, retired Fort Worth officers conducted the office with professionalism. Past constables treated citizens and deputies on their team with dignity and respect. If elected I will follow that tradition and bring the office back to being held in high regard. If I am successful in that endeavor, I will be reelected in 4 years. If I am not successful, I don’t deserve to be reelected.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
I am a conservative Christian however, that doesn’t make me qualified for the position. What makes me qualified is my work experience, training, and unwavering integrity. The only promise I will make to voters is if you elect me I will show up, be present, active, and engaged. I am invested in this community because I grew up here, I go to church here, my whole family lives here in Precinct 4. I will not misrepresent myself in any way to get your vote. The sitting constable must go! He has lied about his martial status, he has been arrested, he has been fired from a police agency, has numerous citizen complaints, he does not has consecutive years as a police officer, he failed to complete campaign finance reports and he is misleading voters with his narrative. Visit my Facebook Carolyn Gilmore for Constable, my website or call me (817) 876-7451 Christian, Conservative, Police Officer, Wife, Mother and Grandmother. Tough, Fair and Follows the Rule of Law. Pro Constitution
Joe D. “Jody” Johnson
Email: jody4constable@yahoo.com
Age (as of March, 5 2024): 61
Campaign website: jodyjohnsoncampaign.com
Best way for voters to reach you. EMAIL / jody4constable@yahoo.com
Occupation: Retired Tarrant County Constable / Ft. Worth Police Officer
Education: 2.5 years college
Have you run for elected office before? Was elected Constable Tarrant Co. Precinct 4 in 2016 and again in 2020. Ran for Tarrant Co. Commissioner 2022
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism.
I serve on executive Committee of the Windy Ryon Memorial Roping (nonprofit that raises money for youth scholarships), Member of the Northwest Tarrant Lions Club, Tarrant County Junior Livestock Show - Help raise money to buy area youth agricultural projects.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding?
No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding?
No
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
J.D. Johnson, S. Meeks, R. Carr
Why are you seeking this office?
Frankly, I was asked by many in law enforcement to run to help turn the ship around. The current PCT 4 Constable office is falling behind in performing its constitutional duties, fighting with our judges, and deputy morale is at an all-time low. Justice not served is justice denied under the malfunctioning leadership of the current Constable.
What are the biggest challenges facing a Tarrant County Constable for Precinct 4?
It will take a lot of effort to clear the backlog of work that is not getting done efficiently and timely.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Keep families safe by restoring integrity back to the office. Protect tax dollars and run an efficient operation. Improve Deputy morale and enhance officer training.
How will you measure your success as a Tarrant County Constable for Precinct 4?
Performing the duties of the office with integrity and honor. High Deputy morale and restore the reputation of this office among law enforcement and judicial peers.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
I’ve done the job before. I have the experience and proven leadership to produce an efficient, functioning office that follows the law and serves the community. If the current situation were not such a disaster, I would not run. I cannot sit on the sidelines and watch any longer. I’m proud to be endorsed by the Tarrant County Law Enforcement Association, DFW Conservative Voters-Green Card, and Protect and Serve Texas PAC
Jason Scott Bedford
Email: constablebedford@gmail.com
Age (as of March, 5 2024): 53
Campaign website: CONSTABLESCOTTBEDFORD.COM
Best way for voters to reach you. Email, constablebedford@gmail.com
Occupation: TARRANT COUNTY CONSTABLE PCT 4
Education: ASSOCIATES DEGREE IN BIBLICAL THEOLOGY
Have you run for elected office before? Yes, march of 2022, Tarrant County Constable Pct 4
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism.
I currently lead weekly devotional services and teach identity theft prevention to seniors at various senior living facilities around Tarrant County.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
Yes, as a teenager I was arrested in 1988 for suspicion of burglary of a vehicle. The case was no billed and dismissed by the Grand Jury.
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding?
No
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
Myself
Why are you seeking this office?
Marked patrol units, put deputies in uniforms including life-saving body armor, created an evening shift with 12-hour shift coverage, set standards for productivity for field deputies, Implemented state recognized best practices for policy and procedures, required deputies to work calls for service in the precinct, conduct criminal investigations, Issued Tasers and body cameras to deputies, created the first Tarrant County Election Integrity Unit in September of 2022, created new procedures to receive and track civil papers, built partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, Instituted mandatory school walk-throughs and visibility in school zones, implemented higher training standards for deputies to meet/exceed minimum state standards, conduct periodic threat assessments to buildings/offices under my care, work traffic crashes and assist ALL law enforcement agencies when called upon.
What are the biggest challenges facing a Tarrant County Constable for Precinct 4?
The biggest challenges facing my office is recruitment/retention of qualified deputies, increased training, and overcoming new challenges that the tremendous growth to our county is presenting.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
Visibility and safety, accountability to tax payers, and service to the community.
How will you measure your success as a Tarrant County Constable for Precinct 4?
Success can be ensured in many ways. One way is to continue providing all the services we currently offer within the current budget. A better matrix and my goal is to deliver those same services under budget.
Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)?
Upon being first elected in March of 2022, and after marking the patrol vehicles and putting deputies in uniforms, I implemented a mandatory school visibility program which included the following.
All patrol deputies are required to
1. work school zones daily
3. physically walk through a school weekly
5. required to be visible in and around schools by completing their daily paperwork in the parking lots when feasible.
This is just one of many changes made to ensure the office runs efficiently. As Constable I can not give your tax money back, but I can ensure you are getting everything I can give. You have an important decision to make! The choice you make will set the standard in law enforcement for our community.
I am respectfully asking for your support and vote on March 5, 2024. Look at all we have already accomplished in less than 2 years! Imagine what can be done with four more years.
This story was originally published February 15, 2024 at 10:41 AM.
