Republican Leaders Tarrant Co. defend the Electoral Integrity Division despite no evidence of widespread electoral fraud.

TARRANT COUNTY, Texas – For the first time since the announcement of the establishment of the Electoral Integrity Group, backed by three leading Tarrant County Republicans, the topic took center stage at the commissioner’s court hearing Tuesday.

The leaders answered questions about what their plans were and how much oversight the unit might have.

“No one is saying there is anything wrong with the Tarrant County elections, but what we have been doing is trying to ensure that we have a system in place to centralize these things,” said Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Wayborn.

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“I fully support its creation. I supported him by showing up at a press conference and calling him by my name,” Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hara said.

O’Hare, Sheriff Bill Wayborn and District Attorney Phil Sorrells announced in early February that they were creating a unit with investigators and a special prosecutor to deal with complaints of various forms of fraud and misconduct in the county’s electoral process.

“Do you think this is such a common problem that you need the D.A., D.J. to single out two investigators, two from your office, two from the D.A.’s office and the Attorney’s Office?” asked Tarrant County Commissioner Alice Simmons, a Democrat.

“This is not their main job, but only part of their job,” Sheriff Wayborn replied.

Critics say the Electoral Integrity Panel represents political credibility after a state-commissioned review of the 2020 election found no evidence of widespread voter fraud in Tarrant County and rated it as a quality and transparent election.

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Commissioner Roy Brooks believes the case has a lot to do with O’Hara, Waybourne and Sorrells supporting theories that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from then-President Donald Trump.

“I’m concerned that we are embedding in our Tarrant County infrastructure the ability to deny the results of any election that you three object to. It’s a problem for me,” Brooks said.

“Commissioner, this has nothing to do with campaigning and saying this is a good election,” Sheriff Wayborn replied.

“Are you handling four cases? 60 cases? Simmons asked.

“We are currently reviewing 11 different cases,” Wayborn said.

More than 50 people spoke in the public comment section of the meeting.

The majority supported the creation of the division.