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Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Elected sheriff declared ineligible

During the November 18 election canvass meeting, Fisher County Judge Ken Holt ruled Simon Wade ineligible to hold the office of sheriff, despite having won more than three times the votes as his opponent, Tom Pohlman. 

Wade was appointed sheriff in July of 2023, after Sheriff Randy Ford resigned.

Wade ran, and won, in the March 2024 primary, in an uncontested race, but he resigned from office a few days later. He does not have a Texas Peace Officer License, which is required to be a sheriff.

Pohlman, who was serving as a deputy with the Fisher County Sheriff's Office, was then appointed sheriff by the commissioners court.

Timeline:

  • Ford resigns June 29, 2023
  • Wade appointed July 10, 2023
  • Wade files for primary December 4, 2023
  • Wade wins primary March 5, 2024
  • Wade resigns March 14, 2024
  • Pohlman appointed March 14, 2024
  • Pohlman files for general election August 20, 2024
  • Wade's name remains on ballot, wins general election November 5, 2024
  • Holt declares Wade ineligible, November 18, 2024
  • What's next? The Texas election code says that if the deceased, withdrawn, or ineligible candidate receives the vote required for election, the resulting vacancy shall be filled in the regular manner.

    Does that mean another appointment? Or keep on keeping on with Pohlman? Will time tell? Does it matter? Maybe not, but it's an interesting study in election minutiae.

    Info: Texas Election Code Chapter 145.005

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