Texas Democratic Rep. Mark Vesey to Run for Tarrant County Judge

Texas Democratic Representative Mark Vesey announced on Monday that he will not seek re-election to Congress, opting instead to run for the position of Tarrant County judge.

“I’m running because our county deserves a leader who brings communities together, protects our democracy, expands economic opportunity, and fights for all families,” Vesey stated.

He has been serving in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2013 and represents the 33rd Congressional District, which has been redrawn in the latest congressional map.

Vesey will challenge the current Tarrant County Judge, Tim O’Hare. In response, O’Hare’s campaign spokesman Nick Maddux criticized Vesey’s record, stating he has a consistently liberal stance that is “soft on crime, soft on border security, and in favor of raising taxes.”

Vesey commented on the current situation in Tarrant County, saying, “I have seen firsthand how racist maps are designed to disempower Black and Latino voters in North Texas. This is a community that has fought for everything in America. The people here deserve leadership based on truth, service, and respect, not divisiveness, extremism, and political stunts. I refuse to allow County Judge Tim O’Hare to stand by.” He sees the current political climate as a setback for the community.

Additionally, former Democratic Representative Colin Allred recently withdrew from the Senate race to run for Congress in the newly established 33rd Congressional District. Meanwhile, Democratic Rep. Julie Johnson, who currently serves the state’s 32nd District, is also in the race for the new 33rd District.