Right-Wing Sheriff Reelected Despite Public Scrutiny Over Jail Deaths

A right-wing sheriff in North Texas appears to have won reelection, 54% to 46%, with all votes counted, according to Tarrant County elections officials. Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn succeeded despite facing scrutiny over deaths in the Fort Worth jail that he and the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office oversee.

At least 65 deaths have been reported in the Tarrant County jail since Waybourn became sheriff in 2017, and some county residents have held demonstrations calling on Waybourn to resign.

The deaths garnered more attention in April, when Anthony Johnson died after a deputy knelt on his back during a routine cell check. Johnson’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit, and two corrections officers were indicted on felony murder charges.

In early June, Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Texas) called on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the jail deaths. An investigation has yet to be opened.

The jail is the third largest county jail in Texas, holding at least 5,000 prisoners.

The Republican sheriff has courted right-wing stardom, making appearances with conservative leaders that often take him away from the county, according to the Texas Observer. He’s railed against immigrants and left-wing “socialists,” and his ties to groups associated with white nationalists have raised questions.

Waybourn’s opponent, Democrat Patrick Moses, a retired federal law enforcement officer, campaigned on fixing issues at the jail. Moses proposed a review of every standard and policy at the sheriff’s office and said he would share his findings with the public at town hall meetings.