Patrick Moses, the retired law enforcement officer and pastor, claimed victory in the Democratic primary race for Tarrant County sheriff, setting the stage for a November showdown against the GOP incumbent, Sheriff Bill Waybourn. Capturing 54.90% of the vote with almost all voting centers reporting, Moses rode a wave of support into the finale of a campaign marked by concerns over high in-custody death rates and the search for transparent leadership. His focus now pivots towards unseating Waybourn, who has dominated the position for the last several years, according to KERA News.
Moses's platform, articulated through his "100P3 initiative," envisions a comprehensive overhaul of existing practices, policies, and procedures at the sheriff's office, during his first 100 days if elected – among these, a significant strategy aimed at curbing the troubling rate of deaths that have occurred in the county jail under the current administration, "each death is another reason for him to run for office," Moses told the Star-Telegram, with the office seeing at least 60 fatalities since 2017 when Waybourn first took the helm, who has attributed the rise in part to an increased inmate population struggling with health issues.
Despite the late hour, Moses's watch party in Arlington was an event marked by optimism and camaraderie, he had garnered support from notable figures such as Opal Lee and Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie; endorsements that had perhaps given his campaign further legitimacy and momentum, his mission finding resonance with constituents eager for a change Murray, his primary opponent, gathered a notable 45.10% of the vote but has remained silent following the results, the Star-Telegram reported.
Supporters at the event extolled Moses's virtues, experience, and humility earning him the descriptor of a fair leader, among them, Precinct 2 Constable Robert McGinty, who voiced that Moses's unique blend of federal law enforcement background and administrative prowess positions him as the ideal challenger to take on current issues plaguing the Tarrant County Jail, "He's the right person at the right time to take on responsibility for some of the issues concerning the Tarrant County Jail," McGinty said, a sentiment echoed by Moses's former colleague Kelly Anderson who worked with him at the Federal Protective Service and heralded his law-abiding approach to justice, as reported by KERA News.
As the November election draws near, Moses, who will be aiming to overturn more than two decades of Republican control in Tarrant County, continues to campaign on the promise of accountability and trust rebuilding between the sheriff's office and the community it serves. The sheriff position, with an annual salary of $217,952, holds not just fiscal responsibility but also stands as a symbol of the law and order that residents depend on for their daily safety and well-being.
