'Huge plot twist' as poll finds GOP election-rigging plot in Texas may backfire

Republicans made a controversial move to oust a Democratic official in one of Texas' most important counties, but it could be coming back to blow up in their faces.

According to Quorum Report, the race for Tarrant County judge, the top executive position in a swing county that includes the rapidly growing city of Fort Worth, is in a dead heat, with the GOP incumbent at risk of being unseated.

A poll obtained by the site "shows Democratic County Judge nominee Alisa Simmons statistically right out of the gate with Republican incumbent Tim O'Hare," said the report. The poll also tested an "informed ballot" and found that "Simmons would comfortably lead O'Hare after voters were shown 'balanced biographies for both candidates.'"

If Simmons prevailed, it would be a huge backfire for Republicans in Fort Worth, as Jen Rice of the liberal elections outlet Democracy Docket noted on X.

"This could be a *huge TX redistricting plot twist* in November," she wrote. "Last summer, the GOP targeted/dismantled Democratic Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons' district. Now she's running to unseat the GOP county judge who led that plan and the polling shows they're tied."

Even if Democrats were to win the county judgeship, it would still be an uphill battle to get full control of the Tarrant County government, as Simmons would only be a tiebreaking vote if Democrats were to also win control of one of the three conservative-leaning county commissioner districts.

All of this comes amid the much more widely publicized move by Texas Republicans to redraw their congressional map to add more Republicans to five currently Democratic-held seats — although GOP strategists are now concerned it may not be very effective.