There will be a change in leadership at Tarrant County Elections.
Heider Garcia has submitted his resignation as Tarrant County elections administrator, effective June 23rd.
Garcia's letter was addressed to County Judge Tim O'Hare and County Administrator G.K. Maenius.
Garcia cited a recent meeting with Judge O'Hare in his reasoning for his decision to step down.
"Judge O'Hare, my formula to 'administer a quality transparent election' (his emphasis) stands on respect and zero politics," Garcia wrote; "compromising on these values is not an option for me. You made it clear in our last meeting that your formula is different, thus, my decision to leave."
Garcia wrote that he will stay on through June 23rd in order to complete all work related to the May 6th municipal elections and any potential runoff, and to ensure a smooth transition.
Earlier this year, O'Hare, District Attorney Phil Sorrells and Sheriff Bill Waybourn announced the creation of an election integrity task force, which was put together without consulting with the Commissioners Court.
Judge O'Hare has released a statement on Garcia's resignation.
"As County Judge and Chair of the Tarrant County Election Commission, I want nothing more than quality, transparent elections in Tarrant County." Judge O'Hare wrote. "Supporting the creation of an Election Integrity Task Force was all about quality, transparent elections.
"Mr. Garcia voluntarily resigned his position, and I wish him well in his future endeavors," O'Hare continued. "I will be calling a meeting of the County Election Commission in the coming days to discuss the hiring of a new Elections Administrator."
Neither Republican commissioner, Gary Fickes and Manny Ramirez, has weighed in on Garcia's resignation as of yet.
But Freshman Democrat Alisa Simmons has.
"It is unfortunate that a stellar county Elections Administrator, who has operated an office void of political interests, is forced to resign," Simmons tweeted. "This is what you get when you have commissioners court members playing political chess with our elections process."
Tarrant County Democratic Party Chairwoman Dr. Allison Campolo also expressed concern.
"We condemn Judge Tim O'Hare and other members of the extremist Republican Party for fostering an environment of misinformation and distrust in our electoral process such that a professional Elections Administrator can no longer facilitate voting in Tarrant County," Campolo wrote in a statement posted to the Tarrant County Democratic Party's Twitter feed.
"We are concerned that O'Hare will seek to appoint an election denier to replace Garcia, who will remove transparency and disenfranchise voters."
Campolo's Republican Party counterpart, Rick Barnes, has not released a statement on Garcia's resignation yet.
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