Brett Jensen, a businessman and recent Republican primary candidate in Texas' 8th Congressional District, was arrested Sunday night on a charge of assault-family violence involving impeding breathing. Investigators say deputies were called to Houston Methodist Hospital in The Woodlands after Jensen's wife reported that he slapped and strangled her, and she told authorities it was not the first time. Jensen's campaign and his attorney deny the allegation and say he will contest the charge in court.
Harris County Precinct 4 deputies responded to the hospital, and county court records outline the wife's account that Jensen slapped and strangled her, including prior alleged incidents. A law enforcement source told reporters that Jensen told hospital staff his wife had been drunk at a party and fallen, a story that does not match the victim's statement in the court documents. The arrest and the charge appear in Harris County records and local reporting, as detailed by Click2Houston.
Campaign background
Jensen ran in the March Republican primary for Texas' 8th Congressional District and finished short of the nomination, taking about 12.7% of the vote. The open seat drew wide attention this cycle and Jensen remained a visible contender in the district's GOP field. Those results are reflected in post-primary tallies and election summaries, according to Wikipedia.
What the charge means
Under Texas law, an assault against a family or household member that involves impeding normal breathing or circulation is treated as an enhanced offense and can be prosecuted as a felony. The statute covers conduct such as manual or ligature strangulation or other acts that obstruct a victim's airway or blood flow, and potential penalties depend on the level of charge and any prior convictions. The elements of the crime and how it is defined are laid out in the Texas Penal Code.
Next steps
Jensen was booked on the assault-family violence charge and is scheduled to appear in probable-cause court Monday evening, according to local coverage. His attorney, Brent Mayr, told reporters, "He's 100 percent not guilty," and said he will appear with Jensen to fight the case in court. Prosecutors will review the complaint and decide whether to pursue formal charges, and the case will move forward in Harris County's criminal courts, as reported by Click2Houston.
Resources and records
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services or the domestic-violence hotline at 713-528-2121. Official case files and court dockets in Harris County can be accessed through the Harris County District Clerk's online portal at the Harris County District Clerk.
This is a developing story. This article will be updated if prosecutors file additional charges, new court documents appear, or officials release further information. For now, the public record consists of the criminal complaint, related court filings, and the statements from Jensen's attorney reported by local outlets.
