2026 Texas General Election

2026 Texas General Runoff

Nonpartisan

Fort Worth is home.

I came to Fort Worth from India as a high school student.

I graduated from Fort Worth ISD and TCU and became a U.S. citizen here. My career later took me to six countries and six states.

About Ambika Sharma

I came to Fort Worth from India as a high school student.

I graduated from Fort Worth ISD and TCU and became a U.S. citizen here. My career later took me to six countries and six states.

My career has been about understanding complex systems and rebuilding them around people, not process.

Graduated from TCU with Bachelors in International Economics, Political Science and Mathematics.

Started as an analyst at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C.

I came to Fort Worth from India as a high school student.

I graduated from Fort Worth ISD and TCU and became a U.S. citizen here. My career later took me to six countries and six states.

But during COVID, I came back to Fort Worth to be close to family.

GIVING BACK: FEDERAL TAX ADVOCACY

For four years, I’ve volunteered helping seniors and low-income families prepare their taxes and resolve IRS problems.

I’ve seen how overwhelming government systems can be when you don’t have money to hire professional help.

Ambika Sharma came to Fort Worth from India as a high school student and became a U.S. citizen there. She graduated from high school in the Fort Worth Independent School District and earned a bachelor's degree in international economics, political science, and mathematics from Texas Christian University. She returned to Fort Worth during the COVID-19 pandemic to be close to family and has volunteered for four years helping seniors and low-income families prepare taxes and resolve problems with the Internal Revenue Service.

Ambika works in the financial technology industry and has previous experience in healthcare technology and banking.

How do you plan to address these issues?
Go back to annual appraisals. As taxing entities increase tax rates, those higher rates can be difficult to bring down. Annual appraisals keep property values current, ensure taxpayers are treated equally and uniformly and prevent homeowners and businesses from being stuck with outdated values that no longer reflect the market.

Q&A: Meet the candidates running for Tarrant Appraisal District board of directors, Place 2

Two Tarrant Appraisal District candidates spoke in defense of the board’s proposal to raise tax rates. Ambika Sharma said TAD did not impose fair and uniform property appraisals.

“I disagree with the appraisal freezes which … caused downstream impact that created chaos and distress because now you have the agenda item to increase the tax rate,” Sharma said.

Board increases proposed tax rate

WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN NEXT?

Tarrant County deserves an appraisal system that is accurate, transparent, accessible and consistent.
1
Accurate appraisals

Use reliable, current market data and sound appraisal practices.

2
Equal and uniform treatment

Taxpayers should be treated consistently and fairly across the county.

Impact

3
A voice for taxpayers

Make TAD easier for ordinary property owners to navigate, from understanding an appraisal to participating in the protest process.

4
Meaningful public input

Public comment should be more than a box to check. Taxpayers should have clear opportunities to understand what the Board is considering, ask questions and provide input before important decisions are made.

Advocates annual appraisals to keep property values current and ensure taxpayers are treated equally.

Aims to use reliable, current market data.

Wants to make the appraisal and protest processes easier for property owners to understand and navigate.

- Advocates annual appraisals to keep property values current and ensure taxpayers are treated equally.
- Aims to use reliable, current market data.
- Wants to make the appraisal and protest processes easier for property owners to understand and navigate.

Administration

Instagram

Ambika Sharma

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- Wants to make the appraisal and protest processes easier for property owners to understand and navigate.
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Alejandra Gracias

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Candidate and Tarrant County business owner Cary Chesire said he fully supports SB-17 and said the results of last November’s election revealed the people of Texas agree.

“The [Texas people] do not want diversity, equity and inclusion. They do not want critical race theory, and they believe there has been a shift within academia, particularly within higher education, where their tax dollars are being marshaled against them,” he said.

3 candidates run for District 7 TCC board seats

According to records on file with the Texas Secretary of State, Strong Borders Action was created on September 27, 2022. The Board of Directors of the Organization consists of Chris Russo, Cary Cheshire, and Bo French. On November 2, 2022, Strong Borders Action filed an assumed name certificate with the Texas Secretary of State to conduct business under the name Texans for Strong Borders. Chris Russo is employed as President of Texans for Strong Borders, and Cary Cheshire is employed as the organization’s Executive Director.

Businessman with history of controversies seeking Tarrant GOP chairmanship

Cary Cheshire is a Tarrant County business owner and serves as executive director of Strong Borders Action, which does business as Texans for Strong Borders.

3 candidates run for District 7 TCC board seats - The Collegian

Businessman With History of Controversies Seeking Tarrant GOP ...

Cary Cheshire is a business owner in Tarrant County.

How do you plan to address these issues?
I want to not only make TAD more transparent and accountable to taxpayers, but I want to help them understand the reasoning behind their valuation (which TAD is responsible for) and who is ultimately responsible for their tax bill (their local officials).

About Me

As a board member, my focus would be straightforward: responsible oversight, open communication and accountability to Tarrant County taxpayers. Property owners deserve an appraisal district that follows the law, uses public funds wisely and treats every taxpayer with professionalism and respect.

The appraisal system may be complicated, but the standard for public service should not be. Tarrant County residents deserve leadership they can trust.

Cary Cheshire

As a board member, my focus would be straightforward: responsible oversight, open communication and accountability to Tarrant County taxpayers. Property owners deserve an appraisal district that follows the law, uses public funds wisely and treats every taxpayer with professionalism and respect.

The appraisal system may be complicated, but the standard for public service should not be. Tarrant County residents deserve leadership they can trust.

Wants to make the Tarrant Appraisal District more transparent and accountable and help taxpayers understand valuations and which local officials set tax bills.

Wants to make the Tarrant Appraisal District more transparent and accountable, and help taxpayers understand valuations and which local officials set tax bills.

Prioritizes responsible oversight, open communication, accountability, lawful operations, prudent use of public funds, and respectful treatment of taxpayers.

- Wants to make the Tarrant Appraisal District more transparent and accountable, and help taxpayers understand valuations and which local officials set tax bills.
- Prioritizes responsible oversight, open communication, accountability, lawful operations, prudent use of public funds, and respectful treatment of taxpayers.

- Prioritizes responsible oversight, open communication, accountability, lawful operations, prudent use of public funds, and respectful treatment of taxpayers.

EDUCATION

University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, BA, MPA, MA, 97, 02, 06

Marshall Hobbs Candidate Profile

A PROVEN LEADER

Focused on What Matters Most for Tarrant County Property Owners
Father of Two Exceptional Sons
Army Veteran: Army National Guard, Armor Tank Commander, and Chaplin Assistant

About Marshall Hobbs

Marshall Hobbs earned a Bachelor of Arts, a master's degree in public administration, and a Master of Arts from the University of Texas at Arlington. He is the father of two sons.

Marshall Hobbs - iVoter Guide

Marshall Hobbs earned a bachelor's degree, a master's degree in public administration, and another master's degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. He is a father of two.

A PROVEN LEADER

Focused on What Matters Most for Tarrant County Property Owners
Father of Two Exceptional Sons
Army Veteran: Army National Guard, Armor Tank Commander, and Chaplin Assistant
Professor of Government at Tarrant County College and Arlington Baptist University
Former Regional Trainer / Auditor for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Marshall has worked as a professor of government at Tarrant County College and Arlington Baptist University and as a regional trainer and auditor for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He also served in the Army National Guard as an armor tank commander and chaplain assistant.

Marshall ran for Fort Worth City Council District 6 in 2025, earning 1,071 votes in a four-candidate field. That race gave him firsthand experience with voter contact, public scrutiny, and the discipline of asking people for their support.

Marshall previously ran for Fort Worth City Council District 6 in 2025.

Marshall previously lost the 2025 race for Fort Worth City Council District 6.

How do you plan to address these issues?
I will use the board’s oversight authority to require measurable performance standards, transparent reporting, strong internal controls and fiscal accountability. I will support appropriate investments in technology, cybersecurity, employee training and data quality while respecting the Chief Appraiser’s statutory responsibility for administering appraisals.

Q&A: Meet the candidates running for Tarrant Appraisal District board of directors Place 2

What is your approach to reviewing the county's reappraisal plan?
I will review the reappraisal plan based on objective evidence: accuracy, uniformity, market data, protest results, taxpayer impacts and compliance with Texas law. I support the current two-year residential approach while evaluating its effectiveness and whether it provides taxpayers greater stability without compromising legally required appraisal accuracy.

Transparent Board Governance

The TAD Board must operate openly — with clear agendas, public deliberation, and decisions that taxpayers can understand and trust.

Marshall Hobbs Platform

Require plain-language summaries of all Board agenda items before each meeting
Publish Board meeting minutes, votes, and supporting documents in a timely manner
Hold the chief appraiser accountable for district-wide appraisal accuracy and consistency
Oppose any Board practice that limits public participation or shields district decisions from scrutiny

Direct district staff to proactively inform property owners of their protest rights and deadlines
Require TAD to publish clear, accessible guides to the appraisal and protest process
Support expanded access to comparable sales data so owners can build strong protest cases
Advocate for appraisal methodologies that reflect actual market conditions — not inflated projections

Conduct rigorous line-by-line review of the annual TAD budget before approval
Benchmark TAD's administrative costs against comparable appraisal districts statewide
Require independent audits of district operations and appraisal accuracy
Oppose budget increases that are not supported by demonstrated operational need

Direct TAD to apply consistent, defensible methodology to commercial and industrial properties
Ensure district appraisers are trained to properly evaluate income-approach and cost-approach evidence
Support streamlined processes for small business owners who cannot afford legal representation
Require TAD to reflect market downturns promptly in commercial assessments — not lag the market by years

Require TAD to maintain secure, modern data infrastructure capable of handling the full volume of Tarrant County appraisal data
Support investment in AI-assisted analytics and data management tools that improve appraisal accuracy and consistency
Establish sound data-management policies that protect taxpayer information and ensure system reliability
Benchmark TAD's technology capabilities against peer districts and require a plan to close any gaps

Plans to require performance standards, transparent reporting, internal safeguards, and fiscal accountability in board oversight.

Supports technology, cybersecurity, employee training, and data-quality investments while respecting the chief appraiser's appraisal authority.

Plans to review property reassessment plans using accuracy, consistency, market data, protest results, taxpayer impacts, and compliance with Texas law.

Calls for open board governance with clear agendas, public deliberation, and understandable decisions.

Proposes plain-language agenda summaries and timely publication of board minutes, votes, and supporting documents.

Opposes board practices that limit public participation or shield district decisions from scrutiny.

Proposes informing property owners about protest rights and deadlines and publishing accessible appraisal and protest-process guides.

Supports expanded access to comparable sales data for property owners filing appraisal protests.

Proposes line-by-line budget reviews, statewide cost comparisons, and independent audits of operations and appraisal accuracy.

Opposes budget increases not supported by demonstrated operational need.

Supports streamlined appraisal processes for small-business owners who cannot afford legal representation.

Supports modern, secure data infrastructure, artificial intelligence-assisted analytics, and data policies to improve appraisal consistency and protect taxpayer information.

- Plans to require performance standards, transparent reporting, internal safeguards, and fiscal accountability in board oversight.
- Supports technology, cybersecurity, employee training, and data-quality investments while respecting the chief appraiser's appraisal authority.
- Plans to review property reassessment plans using accuracy, consistency, market data, protest results, taxpayer impacts, and compliance with Texas law.
- Calls for open board governance with clear agendas, public deliberation, and understandable decisions.
- Proposes plain-language agenda summaries and timely publication of board minutes, votes, and supporting documents.
- Opposes board practices that limit public participation or shield district decisions from scrutiny.
- Proposes informing property owners about protest rights and deadlines and publishing accessible appraisal and protest-process guides.
- Supports expanded access to comparable sales data for property owners filing appraisal protests.
- Proposes line-by-line budget reviews, statewide cost comparisons, and independent audits of operations and appraisal accuracy.
- Opposes budget increases not supported by demonstrated operational need.
- Supports streamlined appraisal processes for small-business owners who cannot afford legal representation.
- Supports modern, secure data infrastructure, artificial intelligence-assisted analytics, and data policies to improve appraisal consistency and protect taxpayer information.

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Marshall Hobbs

Marshall Hobbs earned a bachelor's degree, a master's degree in public administration, and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Marshall works as a professor of government at Tarrant County College and Arlington Baptist University. He previously worked as a regional trainer and auditor for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and served in the Army National Guard as an armor tank commander and chaplain's assistant.

Marshall ran for Fort Worth City Council District 6 in 2025.

- Proposes plain-language board agendas, timely publication of meeting records, and protections against limits on public participation in district decisions.
- Proposes informing property owners about protest rights and deadlines and publishing accessible guides to the appraisal and protest process.
- Supports broader access to comparable sales data for property owners and appraisal methods that reflect actual market conditions.
- Proposes line-by-line budget reviews, comparisons with other appraisal districts' administrative costs, and opposition to unsupported budget increases.
- Proposes independent audits of district operations and appraisal accuracy.
- Supports secure, modern data systems; technology standards; and investment in artificial intelligence-assisted analytics to improve appraisal consistency and accuracy.
- Proposes data-management policies to protect taxpayer information and system reliability, while supporting technology, cybersecurity, training, and data-quality investments.
- Proposes consistent appraisal methods for commercial and industrial properties and training for appraisers to evaluate evidence based on income and cost approaches.
- Supports streamlined appraisal processes for small-business owners without legal representation and prompt reflection of market downturns in commercial assessments.
- Supports the current two-year residential reappraisal approach while evaluating its effectiveness, taxpayer stability, and compliance with appraisal-accuracy requirements.

Plans to hold forums and workshops about residents' rights and the appraisal process.

Paul Andrew Stockard is running for Place 2 on the Tarrant Appraisal District Board of Directors. He is a Fort Worth native and has a background in real estate and finance. Stockard believes that the appraisal process should be transparent and fair for all property owners.

Paul Andrew Stockard, candidate for the Tarrant Appraisal District Place 2

Paul Andrew Stockard, candidate for the Tarrant Appraisal District ...

In his professional career, Stockard has worked in various roles within the real estate sector, giving him insight into the challenges faced by property owners. He believes that his experience will help him serve effectively on the board.

Paul has worked in various roles within the real estate sector.

As of October 6, 2026, Paul Stockard did not have a website or any information online.

Paul Stockard

As of October 6, 2026, Paul Stockard’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- A board of directors member is an elected official who serves on the governing board of a special district, such as a municipal utility district (MUD).

- The board is responsible for overseeing the district’s operations, finances, and services, including utilities like water, wastewater, drainage, and infrastructure.

- Board members approve budgets, set tax rates or service fees, and make decisions about contracts and infrastructure projects within the district.

- The board ensures that the district complies with state laws and operates under the oversight of agencies such as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

- In many districts, the board consists of five members elected by residents. Directors must meet eligibility requirements, including being at least 18 years old, a Texas resident, and either a qualified voter or property owner within the district.

An official who oversees utilities, finances, and services in a district.

Tarrant Appraisal District Board of Directors Member

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