Michele Carew, after a controversial exit from Hood County amid right-wing backlash over election conduct grievances, has now been appointed by a bipartisan commission to oversee elections in Bexar County, which includes San Antonio. According to FOX San Antonio, the decision to hire Carew was unanimous despite the contentious end to her previous role four years ago.
Carew brings over a decade of experience to the position and immediately recognized the challenges ahead, stating, "I know I made mistakes and I’ll own up to it. I took sides, and maybe I shouldn’t have," as she told News 4 San Antonio. She expressed her willingness not just to return to the field of elections but to quickly start addressing potential improvements and engaging local communities to boost voting accessibility, especially for disenfranchised groups.
While Carew's prior engagements were met with criticism, particularly the alleged flouting of a century-old election law regarding the sequencing of ballots, the Texas secretary of state and the attorney general have since clarified that the practice in question aligns with state laws. This past issue seems to have been pushed aside, as Carew's wealth of experience notably played a part in her selection for Bexar County. This experience, as reported by News 4 San Antonio, was a significant factor, leading the Bexar County GOP Chair Kris Coons to express strong support for Carew, including funding requests if needed.
The hiring process, initiated after the retirement of former elections administrator Jacque Callanen, took months and reviewed over one hundred applicants in a nationwide search. "I feel that I am coming in with a fresh set of ideas to try to help the county overcome any obstacles that they've had," Carew shared before starting in her new role, demonstrating a commitment to work collaboratively to navigate the issues facing election administration in the county. Coons emphasized the collective effort required, stating, "We have to work hand in hand," as per her statement obtained by FOX San Antonio.
Carew's immediate action plan, as mentioned in News 4 San Antonio, includes meetings with community leaders to find pathways to make voting more accessible for youth and voters with disabilities, along with potential staffing expansions. The community's reception of Carew's return to election administration will unfold as her term in Bexar County gets underway.
