Fort Worth – In a move that underscores the importance of upholding Texas election law, Republican former city councilman Alan Blaylock has asked Secretary of State Robert Howden to declare Democratic nominee Ericka Lomick ineligible for the Texas House District 93 seat. Blaylock’s attorneys sent a formal letter on Friday, arguing that Lomick’s 2011 conviction for mortgage fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering disqualifies her under state statutes that generally bar convicted felons from holding public office.
Legal background
Texas law prohibits individuals with felony convictions from running for or holding elected office unless they receive a pardon or a court restores their civil rights. A 2019 opinion from the state attorney general suggests that a felon may run again if a court formally releases them from the disability to hold office. Blaylock’s team is seeking a definitive ruling from the Secretary of State before the certification deadline on Monday.
Lomick’s response
In a statement to the Fort Worth Star‑Telegram, Lomick said she has been “fully released from the resulting disabilities” stemming from her conviction and remains “fully qualified to take the office to which I was elected.” She did not provide additional details about the court order that would restore her rights.
Details of the conviction
According to documents submitted to the Secretary of State and reviewed by The Texas Tribune, Lomick pleaded guilty in 2011 to mortgage fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. She received a 63‑month prison sentence and was ordered to pay $300,000 in restitution. Federal prosecutors filed a lien for the same amount in 2024.
Political stakes
The District 93 race was expected to be a safe Republican seat in the traditionally red‑leaning Tarrant County. However, after last week’s election, Democrats gained control of the Texas House for the first time since the 2001 session, making every seat potentially decisive. Lomick won the most votes in both the full‑term and the remainder‑of‑term contests, but her eligibility remains in question.
Blaylock’s position
“The people of House District 93 deserve a representative who can serve,” Blaylock said in his statement. “I am asking state officials to follow the law and make sure this district is represented by someone legally eligible to hold the seat. Anything less is a fraud.”
Next steps
The Secretary of State’s office has not commented on the request, stating only that it does not plan to comment “at this time.” Blaylock’s lawyers have asked for a response by noon Monday, the deadline for certifying the election results.
Context
The seat was previously held by former Rep. Nate Schatzline, a hard‑line conservative who left the legislature in July to serve as a senior adviser on election policy for Governor Greg Abbott. With the Texas GOP now in the minority, the outcome of this eligibility challenge could affect the party’s ability to influence legislation in the upcoming session.
Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
