Tarrant County officials select chief deputy clerk to run county’s elections

Tarrant County officials selected the chief deputy of the county clerk’s office to oversee the county’s elections.

The county’s election commission voted unanimously Friday to select Clinton Ludwig as the new Tarrant County elections administrator. He will replace Heider Garcia, who has held the position since 2018.

Garcia resigned from the post in April, citing in his resignation letter his differences with County Judge Tim O’Hare over how to run elections. He said his last day would be June 23.

In a statement posted on Twitter, O’Hare said Ludwig “oversaw numerous technological transitions and provided exceptional service to our residents” at the county clerk’s office, where he has been the chief deputy for six years.

Along with O’Hare, the members of the commission are: county Republican Party chairman Rick Barnes, county Democratic Party chairwoman Allison Campolo, county clerk Mary Louise Nicholson and tax assessor-collector Wendy Burgess.

In a statement provided to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Ludwig said he is extremely honored to have been selected.

“While I do not have experience directly in elections, I have years as a senior executive in a large organization, a proven track record of exceeding expectations in all that I undertake, and 20 years in the United States Marine Corps where I learned early and often to adapt and overcome,” he said.

O’Hare — one of three Tarrant County leaders who announced the formation of a unit dedicated to investigating and prosecuting allegations of election fraud in February — said in his statement the county is fortunate to have Ludwig in the role.

“It is evident Clint loves his country, freedom and believes that free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our constitutional republic,” he said in a statement.