FORT WORTH, TX — What happened yesterday in Tarrant County was nothing short of a power grab. With a 3-2 vote, the Commissioners Court approved a redistricting map that strips Black and Latino communities in Precinct 2 of their voice and their power.

This mid-decade redraw, with no new census data and no public mandate, is a calculated act of racial gerrymandering. It tears apart neighborhoods that have consistently come together to elect candidates who reflect their values. It carves out economic hubs like Globe Life Field and downtown Fort Worth, gutting the heart of our political and economic strength.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t just partisan politics, it’s systemic racism doing what it always has. But we see it, we name it, and we’ll fight back.

Tarrant County Judge Tim O’Hare has openly admitted in the past that this redistricting is about securing Republican control, stating, “The mission is to get three Republican commissioners” on the court. This confession lays bare the true intent: to dilute the voting power of communities of color for partisan gain.

This isn’t just unethical; it’s illegal. The Voting Rights Act and the 14th Amendment were created to stop exactly this kind of racial discrimination. We won’t sit back while our communities are carved up and silenced.

We are fighting back.

“This map is an insult to the voters of Precinct 2. It’s a deliberate attempt to dilute the voices of Black and Latino communities who have fought hard to be heard. We will not be erased. I stand with our residents, with our movement, and with every legal and moral tool we have to fight this injustice.” — Commissioner Alisa Simmons, Tarrant County Precinct 2

The Texas Organizing Project stands in unwavering solidarity with Commissioner Alisa Simmons, Congressman Marc Veasey, and the hundreds of Tarrant County residents who’ve raised their voices against this injustice.

“When they silence our voices at the ballot box, they’re trying to silence our dignity, our demands, and our dreams,” said Brianna Brown, Co-Executive Director of Texas Organizing Project. “This is a direct assault on the political power of Black and Latino communities who have fought too long and too hard to be pushed aside. But let me be clear, we are not going anywhere. Our fight for justice, fairness, and representation will continue with more resolve and more unity than ever before.”

This fight is far from over.

Our communities are resilient, and our movement is growing. We will not be deterred by racist tactics or political games. We will continue to fight for fair representation, for our voices to be heard, and for a Texas that truly represents all its people.

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About Texas Organizing Project:
TOP organizes Black and Latino communities in Dallas, Harris, Bexar, and Fort Bend counties with the goal of transforming Texas into a state where working people of color have the power and representation they deserve. For more information, visit organizetexas.org.

Texas voters are making history, and the collective we — the Texas Organizing Project and the communities we organize with — are driving this surge. From Bexar County to the DFW Metroplex, Texans are showing up, ready to take ownership of our future.

TOP Co-Executive Director Michelle Tremillo said: “Where we are today is proof that Texans are not backing down, and we’re even breaking records, defying expectations, and showing what’s possible when communities come together. From San Antonio to the suburbs of Dallas-Fort Worth, the energy is real, and it’s just the start of early voting.”

Tremillo continued, “TOP knows that transforming Texas takes more than one election cycle, that’s why we’ve been on the ground 365 days a year, organizing, building infrastructure, and investing in the power of everyday people — no matter our age, race, faith, or gender. This turnout reflects years of commitment and hard work across our Black and Latino communities.”

TOP Co-Executive Director Brianna Brown added: “Texans know what’s at stake this election, and we are stepping up to transform our state. This moment belongs to Black, Latino, and working families and it’s just the beginning. Breaking records on the first day is exciting, but we need to keep this momentum going every single day through Election Day.”

• Statewide Record: Texas surpassed the 2020 record for first-day in-person voting by more than 130,000 votes, with 886,526 in-person votes cast on Day 1.
• Combined Vote Total: So far, 1,049,166 votes (in-person + mail-in) were reported for Day 1, approaching the 1.1 million record set in 2020, even with some counties yet to report.
• Harris County Turnout: Harris County has already seen over 242,000 votes cast over the first two days, maintaining high engagement despite the removal of 24-hour voting.
• Bexar County Turnout: Bexar County saw over 46,000 votes cast on the first day of early voting, indicating strong local engagement that aligns with broader statewide trends. The turnout momentum has continued, with Day 2 surpassing Day 1, highlighting increased enthusiasm compared to previous cycles
• Kamala Harris Rally: Vice President Kamala Harris will hold a rally in Houston this Friday, emphasizing the significance of Texas in the 2024 election, marking the first presidential-level rally this close to Election Day in Texas in 30 years.

TOP remains committed to supporting communities throughout the early voting period, providing the resources needed to sustain high turnout. Through phone-banking, door-knocking, and moving voters online, we are working together to make Texas a place where everyone can thrive.

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About Texas Organizing Project

TOP organizes Black and Latino communities in Dallas, Harris, Bexar, and Fort Bend counties with the goal of transforming Texas into a state where working people of color have the power and representation they deserve. For more information, visit organizetexas.org.

Today, Texas Organizing Project (TOP) is proud to announce our endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States. As an organization committed to championing Black and Latino communities across Texas, this endorsement marks a pivotal moment in our mission to ensure that communities of color not only have a seat at the table but also the power to drive meaningful change in our state.

“For over 240 years, the United States has struggled to fulfill its promise of a democracy that serves all its people. In all that time, we’ve only elected one Black president and one Black woman vice president,” said Brianna Brown, TOP Co-Executive Director. “The threat to democracy posed by Trump and his MAGA agenda movement, fueled by white supremacy, is undeniable and as dangerous as ever. Kamala Harris is a qualified, proven leader committed to our values who will protect and continue the progress we’ve fought so hard to achieve.”

Maria Victoria De La Cruz, TOP Board Co-President, added, “This endorsement is grounded in ensuring that our communities — Black, Latino, and working-class Texans — have a voice and means to shape a democracy that looks like us and reflects our values. TOP’s members know what’s at stake: a government that works for the powerful few, or a future where we all have the opportunity to thrive. Kamala Harris has stood with our communities, and we’re ready to stand with her to fight for a state and country where justice and equity can be fully realized for every person – regardless of race, age, gender, or income.”

During the 2022 election cycle, TOP reached over 1.4 million Black voters, and this cycle, we’re doubling down to turn out Black and Latino Texans across the state. Our work is far from done, and this endorsement is just the beginning.

Signed in solidarity:

Brianna Brown, TOP Co-Executive Director

Michelle Tremillo, TOP Co-Executive Director

Dr. Doshie Piper, TOP Board Co-President

Maria Victoria De La Cruz, TOP Board Co-President

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About Texas Organizing Project:

TOP organizes Black and Latino communities in Dallas, Harris, Bexar, and Fort Bend counties with the goal of transforming Texas into a state where working people of color have the power and representation they deserve. For more information, visit organizetexas.org.

The following statement is from Michelle Tremillo, Co-Executive Director of the Texas Organizing Project (TOP), commenting on TOP-endorsed candidate victories in Tuesday’s Texas Democratic primary runoff:

“Tuesday’s election results make clear once more that progressive values, policies, and leaders are the future of Texas.

“TOP is building this future each election cycle through year-round, issue-based organizing rooted in economic and racial justice that links what matters in the daily lives of Black and Latino Texans to the ballot box.

“Our members are proud to have endorsed Rebeca Clay-Flores (Bexar County Commissioner, Pct. 1), Molly Cook (Texas Senate, Dist. 15), Lauren Ashley Simmons (Texas State Representative, Dist. 146), as well as Annette Ramirez (Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector), and we congratulate them on their runoff wins Tuesday. This is what happens when a people-powered progressive agenda is coupled with vigorous on-the-ground voter engagement. 

“This vision is needed now more than ever as we counter unprecedented right-wing attacks on our basic rights, while paving the road to the future where ALL Texans are represented fairly – regardless of our race, age, faith, gender, or economic status.”

Dr. Doshie Piper, TOP Board Co-President, added:

“The outcomes of these primary runoffs unequivocally show the expansion of progressive influence throughout our state, with Black and Latino Texas voters having their presence felt.

“The general election is fast approaching, and TOP PAC is fully prepared to utilize this progressive momentum to meaningfully connect with voters at their doorstep and further transform the political terrain of Texas.”

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Texas Organizing Project PAC runs the largest, independent get-out-the-vote political programs in Texas, focusing on expanding the electorate of color, with an emphasis on turning out Black and Latino voters. To date, TOP PAC has mobilized hundreds of thousands of voters across the state with the aim of building a reflective democracy–one that looks like us and shares our values.

A Failure of Democracy, Far-Right Extremism is Emboldened, & A Win For Voter Suppression

Today’s sham acquittal of Ken Paxton is an affront to the rule of law and a betrayal of every democratic principle we hold dear. Paxton has proven himself unfit for office, throughout his tenure he used his role to service wealthy donors and a far-right extremist agenda. A Trump and MAGA acolyte, who participated at the January 6th rally ahead of the insurrection at the Capitol and wasted at least $45,000 of taxpayer dollars trying to overturn the 2020 election, Paxton is still also under indictment for securities fraud which has been an ongoing investigation since 2015.

The following is a joint statement from Texas Organizing Project (TOP) Co-Executive Directors Brianna Brown and Michelle Tremillo, on Paxton not being convicted on any of the 16 articles of impeachment: 

Michelle Tremillo stated, “From Trump, to Clarence Thomas, and now Paxton, we are witnessing a grand display of the normalization of corruption and far-right extremism. This must stop.”

Brianna Brown added, “Paxton isn’t just a singular corrupt individual; he’s part of a larger corrupt ecosystem that has compromised healthcare for millions, endangered the basic rights of millions, and eroded the very foundations of democracy. We’re sick of Texas being the GOP’s lab for anti-democratic policies while their party leaders erase decades of progress.”

With this trial outcome, TOP calls on the Texas State Bar to revoke Ken Paxton’s license to practice law. While the Attorney General of Texas does not need to be a licensed attorney, the revocation of his license would force Paxton to delegate critical responsibilities, further highlighting his unfitness for office.

Additionally, because of this acquittal verdict, we’re forced to place our hope in federal institutions to do what our state elected officials lacked the courage to do in rooting out political corruption. The FBI’s ongoing investigation into Paxton is a small beacon of hope that justice may yet prevail.

This acquittal is also a wake-up call. TOP will continue to do what we do best: organize and mobilize Black and Latino communities across Texas. Come November 2026, we’ll defeat Paxton at the ballot box, if he isn’t already found guilty in his securities fraud trial, of course. We demand better, and we will continue the fight to elect officials who represent the democratic principles and human decency that Texas and the U.S. deserve.

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About Texas Organizing Project

Texas Organizing Project (TOP)  organizes Black and Latino communities in Dallas, Harris, Bexar, and Fort Bend counties with the goal of transforming Texas into a state where working people of color have the power and representation they deserve. For more information, visit organizetexas.org.