Debate Persists over GOP Applications in Upshur County

LONGVIEW — Some Upshur County Republicans believe already-indicted party Chairman Ken Ambrose could face official misconduct charges related to the upcoming primary election. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report that Republican Madaline Barber has been accepting candidate applications, acting as the party’s secretary. Barber said she is the duly-elected Republican Party Upshur County secretary. Ambrose said she is not, and that any applications accepted by her might not be valid. Ambrose has filed a complaint against Barber with the Texas Ethics Commission saying Barber is misrepresenting herself.

“Be advised that your failure to post my notice to accept candidate applications on the Upshur County Commissioner’s Court bulletin board opens you up to potential official misconduct charge(s),” Barber wrote in a letter to Ambrose, which she also provided to the News-Journal. “Furthermore, your failure to accept any applications I have received will prompt an immediate district court action against you under the new ‘Loser Pays’ law adopted by the 82nd Texas Legislature.”

Ambrose already faces charges of theft of more than $1,500 and less than $20,000 and misappropriation of fiduciary property related to using the Republican Party’s primary funds to pay for an attorney. His trial is slated to start Oct. 3 in Upshur County’s 115th District Court.