Tarrant County Republicans packed the Grapevine Convention Center on Wednesday, September 2, as County Judge Tim O’Hare (R) launched the final stretch of his reelection campaign alongside U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and other GOP candidates and elected officials.
The campaign kickoff drew supporters ahead of O’Hare’s November contest against Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons (D-Precinct 2). The general election is Tuesday, November 3.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, O’Hare has placed reducing wasteful spending, lower property tax rates, and public safety at the center of his campaign.
O’Hare calls for Republican turnout
“Tarrant County is the most important county in the United States of America. And we’re going to win in November,” O’Hare told the crowd.
O’Hare said Republicans could not rely on their traditional campaign strategy and urged supporters to increase voter outreach.
“We are going to work harder than we have ever worked. The whole entire country is watching Tarrant County,” O’Hare said. “We need your help financially, but we need your help knocking on doors. We need your help telling your neighbors we have more Republicans in Tarrant County than they do. We need to make sure they all get out to vote.”
O’Hare also criticized Simmons, casting the county judge race as a contest over taxes, crime and the county’s political direction.
“We want to put criminals behind bars where they belong. She wants them out on the streets. We want to cut taxes. She’s voted 14 times to raise taxes. 14 times,” O’Hare said.
“We’re dealing with people that literally believe socialism and communism is the answer. Can you believe this? And so that time is here, and the stand is Tarrant County,” he added. “We’re going to make sure it does not take root in the state of Texas. The state of Texas is counting on us.”
O’Hare’s statements about Simmons were campaign claims. Simmons said in a September 2025 County statement that she had voted for tax rates below the no-new-revenue rate since joining the Commissioners Court. She also said she supported tax cuts that “cut fat, not bone.”
Cruz targets Talarico
Cruz told the crowd in a video that the political stakes extended beyond conventional policy disagreements.
“The threat has never been greater. All right, am I the only person here who is frightened for our country?” Cruz said. “This is no longer a contest between left and right. This is no longer a contest between liberal and conservative. This is a contest between crazy and common sense.”
Cruz then turned to Democratic U.S. Senate nominee and state Rep. James Talarico (D-District 50).
“Anyone heard of a guy named James Talarico? This guy is dangerous because you got to understand this guy believes what he’s saying,” Cruz said.
Cruz criticized Talarico’s religious and political views, telling the audience, “Well, let’s just talk about what the man believes. He believes number one, God is non-binary.”
Talarico made the “God is non-binary” statement during a 2021 Texas House speech. He later said that he regretted some past phrasing, while maintaining his view that God is beyond gender.
Tarrant remains closely contested
Tarrant County has become closely contested in statewide races. Donald Trump won the county with 51.82% in 2024, while Democrat Colin Allred narrowly carried it over Cruz, 48.91% to 48.68%, according to official county results.
O’Hare closed by asking supporters what they would do before Election Day.
“What are you going to do to make sure on November the fourth you wake up smiling?” O’Hare asked the crowd. “What are you prepared to do?”
Provided by Dallas Express
