FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas (Covering Katy News) — Covering Katy News endorses JJ Clemence for Fort Bend County Clerk in the March 3 Republican primary election.

Endorsements are rare for this publication. We cover the news. We let readers draw their own conclusions. But what we have witnessed over the past two months in this race has compelled us to do something we almost never do — tell you directly who we support and why.

JJ Clemence Brings Unmatched Experience to the Fort Bend County Clerk Race

From the moment JJ Clemence announced her candidacy it was clear she was the superior candidate. Her resume is exceptional. She is a certified internal auditor with more than 20 years of experience spanning Fortune 500 companies, congressional offices, Fort Bend ISD and Harris County Public Health, where she built an entire internal audit function from the ground up. She has been appointed twice by Gov. Greg Abbott to state commissions. She founded a nonprofit dedicated to youth development. She holds an MBA. She has the experience, the accomplishments and the temperament this office demands.

The Fort Bend County Clerk’s office is not glamorous. It handles vital records, court filings, property documents and public records access. It requires precision, accountability and professionalism. JJ Clemence is exactly the right person for that work.

False Claims, Altered Photos and Partisan Smears Target Clemence

You can tell a lot about a candidate by watching them under fire. Over the past two months, Clemence has been subjected to a sustained and false campaign accusing her of being a Chinese spy. The tactics have been as dishonest as the accusation itself — altered photos presented as evidence, and individuals paraded as experts who are nothing more than partisan hacks with an agenda. The basis for the underlying claim? Photographs taken while she was performing her duties in the congressional offices of U.S. Reps. Pete Olson and Troy Nehls.

Among her responsibilities in those roles was representing the congressmen at formal functions — events that sometimes included leaders from China, as is routine in congressional work. That is not something sinister. That is an honorable assignment. It means two sitting members of Congress trusted that she had the skills and temperament to represent the United States of America — and those two congressmen are among a very long list of people who have endorsed her candidacy. The list includes the sitting clerk Laura Richard, a highly respected public servant who will retire when her term concludes. 

McFarlane and her allies have taken that record of service and twisted it into a conspiracy theory built on altered images and bad-faith actors. Covering Katy News has examined these claims in depth and found them to be without merit. You can read our full analysis here.

The Human Cost: False Claims Will Follow Clemence and Her Daughter

We want to be clear about the human cost of this campaign. These false accusations are hurtful — to Clemence personally and to her daughter. These claims are now on the internet. They will follow her. The truth is that Republican leaders came to Clemence and asked her to run. They believed McFarlane, if elected, would do lasting damage to the county, the party and the office — that she would become Fort Bend County’s version of Lina Hidalgo, unhinged and unpredictable. As she has always done, Clemence answered the call. She took on this challenge for the party and the county, not for personal gain. That is the kind of person she is.

Under Attack, Clemence Has Remained Dignified and Professional

Through all of it, and while her character has been under fire, Clemence has remained dignified and professional — focused, above the fray and centered on what the clerk’s office actually does and how she would lead it. That kind of discipline and steadiness matters. It tells you something about how she would run a public office.

Tamara McFarlane’s Conduct Has Been Disqualifying

Her opponent, Tamara McFarlane, has shown voters something too — and it is disqualifying.

We have covered McFarlane’s conduct extensively, and we encourage readers to review that coverage through this link. The pattern is one of dishonesty, personal attacks and increasingly erratic behavior. When prominent Fort Bend County Republican officeholders and leaders endorsed Clemence — and they have, in numbers that are remarkable for a clerk’s race — McFarlane’s allies dismissed it as proof of a cover-up. The logic, apparently, is that the people who know Clemence best, who have worked alongside her, who have watched her show up for Republican candidates and causes year after year, are all in on the spy conspiracy.

That is not a serious argument. It is the reasoning of people who have lost the debate on the merits.

McFarlane Has Never Voted in a Republican March Primary

The contrast between these two candidates on basic civic participation alone is striking. Clemence has a documented history of supporting Republican candidates and causes throughout Fort Bend County. McFarlane has never voted in a Republican March primary — the very election she is now asking Republican voters to trust her with.

Fort Bend County Republican Voters: Do Not Stay Home Tuesday

We want to be direct about something else: negative campaigning works. The ugliness of this race has suppressed Republican turnout during early voting. That benefits McFarlane. If you have been sitting this one out because you are tired of the noise, we understand — but not going to the polls is a vote for McFarlane. We believe this is a close race because, unfortunately, dirty, shameful campaigning often works. Do not wake up Wednesday morning and discover that an unstable, dishonest candidate will be Fort Bend County’s next clerk because good people stayed home.

Fort Bend County deserves better. We are the most racially diverse county in Texas and one of the most diverse counties in the nation. Our County Clerk’s office serves nearly a million residents and must be led by someone who is honest, steady, focused on the work and will treat all people, regardless of race, or religion, with dignity and respect. That person is JJ Clemence. That is clearly not her opponent.

Today is the last day of early voting. Election Day is Tuesday, March 3. We urge Republican primary voters in Fort Bend County to cast their ballot for JJ Clemence for County Clerk.

READ FULL ARTICLE: https://coveringkaty.com/news/fort-bend/covering-katy-news-endorses-jj-clemence-for-fort-bend-county/

By Dennis Spellman, Founder, Publisher and Owner, Covering Katy News

There is a long and ugly tradition in American politics of turning the routine into the sinister. The McFarlane campaign has apparently decided that tradition is worth reviving in Fort Bend County.

The campaign has been circulating claims suggesting that Fort Bend County Clerk candidate JJ Clemence who was born in China, has suspicious ties to Chinese Communist Party-affiliated figures. The evidence offered in support of this charge consists of photographs, digitally altered photographs, social media tags, and the fact that Clemence appeared at events alongside far-left state Rep. Gene Wu. I have reviewed these claims carefully. They do not hold up.

It strains credibility for McFarlane to be a supporter of the Donald Trump America First movement when she has never voted in a March Republican primary. Since registering to vote in Fort Bend County she’s only voted in one runoff election.

The Accusations Don’t Hold Up

Here is what is actually true. Clemence worked for two congressmen, Pete Olsen and Troy Nehls. Part of her job was outreach to the Asian community on their behalf. When those congressmen could not attend formal governmental or diplomatic events, Clemence stood in for them. This is standard congressional staff practice. It is not exotic. It is not suspicious. It is the job.

Seating and positioning at governmental and diplomatic events follows established protocol based on rank of representation — federal, then state, then county, then city. Because Clemence was representing a member of Congress, she was positioned where the congressman would have stood. That placed her closer to high-ranking officials than a state representative would be. The McFarlane campaign is apparently treating the rules of diplomatic protocol as a smoking gun. They are not.

Guilt by Association Is Not Evidence

The campaign also raises the specter of Clemence’s association with state Rep. Wu as though proximity to him at an event constitutes evidence of foreign entanglement. This argument falls apart the moment you apply it consistently. At commissioners court, twice a month, Republican commissioners Vincent Morales and Andy Meyers appear in photographs alongside Democrats Dexter McCoy and Grady Prestage. No one suggests that makes Morales and Meyers secret Democrats. The logic the McFarlane campaign is selling to voters would make every elected official in Fort Bend County suspect. McFarlane knows that and she’s selling it anyway.

Then there is the matter of social media. The campaign has pointed to instances where Clemence was tagged in posts by individuals with alleged questionable affiliations. Let me be direct: being tagged in a social media post by another person does not establish that you attended the event depicted, endorsed the subject being celebrated, or had any knowledge the post would be made. People do not control who tags them. This is not a complicated concept. Treating a tag as evidence of wrongdoing is not an investigation. It is a smear.

McFarlane was also willing to drop out of the race, letting Clemence have the GOP nomination if she was allowed to become the county’s election administrator. If she truly believes Clemence is a threat to national security, why would she do that? Those concerns apparently are not so alarming that McFarlane would not trade them away for a different job. Now, faced with that contradiction, she is rewriting history with posts on social media. We covered this issue earlier this week and you can read more here.

Additional stories about Tamara

A So-Called Expert Who Got It Badly Wrong

The campaign’s credibility on this issue was further damaged when it enlisted a self-described China expert who identified a Hispanic county employee and long-time Fort Bend County resident as a high-ranking member of the Chinese Communist Party. When confronted with the absurdity of that claim, the campaign did not retract it. They doubled down. That is not opposition research. That is recklessness, and voters deserve to know it.

I Know Gene Wu’s Wife. Does That Make Me a Spy?

I will note something personal here, because it is relevant. I have covered the Houston news market for 25 years. In that time, I have crossed paths with state Rep. Gene Wu numerous times while on the job. I know Wu’s wife, Miya Shay, a reporter for Houston’s Channel 13. We are not friends, we are acquaintances because of what we do for a living, cover news. But when I covered Houston City Council meetings, assigned seating placed my station’s seat directly next to Channel 13’s seat. When Shay was sent to cover the council, we sat side by side — not by choice, but because that was where our respective stations were assigned to sit. Our paths have crossed at media events many times beyond that, and there may well be photographs of us together sharing a laugh. By the standard the McFarlane campaign is applying to JJ Clemence, that makes me a spy too.

Do we really want to live like that? Is that the new standard?

Texas Law Distinguishes Courtesy Visits From Sister City Agreements

McFarlane claims Clemence and others violated state law by meeting with a Chinese delegation that was on a North American tour. She claims it was evidence of an illegal sister city agreement. However, under Texas law, sister city agreements are distinct from one-time meetings, courtesy visits or cultural exchanges, which do not create an ongoing partnership and do not constitute a sister city relationship.

McCarthyism Has No Place in Fort Bend County in 2026

What the McFarlane campaign is practicing is guilt by association. It has a name: McCarthyism. Younger voters may not recognize the term, so it is worth explaining. In the early 1950s, U.S. Sen. Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin launched a years-long campaign of accusation, insinuation, and fear, claiming that communists had infiltrated the U.S. government, the military, Hollywood, and American institutions at every level. He rarely produced evidence. He did not need to. The accusation alone was enough. Careers were destroyed. Reputations were ruined. Lives were upended. Innocent people lost their jobs, their standing, and in some cases their will to live — not because they had done anything wrong, but because someone with a microphone and a willingness to lie pointed a finger at them. It took years before the country found the courage to say enough. A lawyer named Joseph Welch finally confronted McCarthy during a televised Senate hearing in 1954 with words that ended his reign: “Have you no sense of decency?” McCarthy was censured by the Senate shortly after. He died in disgrace.

The McFarlane campaign is using the same playbook. It manufactures suspicion where none exists. Ironically, that is precisely the tactic employed by authoritarian governments — including the Chinese Communist Party — to suppress dissent and destroy reputations. The campaign claims to be concerned about CCP influence. It has adopted the CCP playbook. McFarlane grew up in Soviet republic state. Perhaps this is how she think elections are run.

Show Us the Evidence. Or Stop.

I have a direct challenge for the McFarlane campaign: name your sources, produce your evidence, and put it on the record. Not innuendo. Not photographs of people doing their jobs. Not social media tags. Actual evidence. If you have it, show it. If you do not, stop.

When a campaign cannot win on qualifications or policy, some turn to fear and smear. That is what is happening here. Voters should ask themselves a straightforward question: Is someone willing to peddle this kind of politics the person they want serving as Fort Bend County Clerk? Is this the judgment, the integrity, and the character they want in that office?

Covering Katy News does not traffic in innuendo. We report facts and let readers draw their own conclusions from evidence. I have found no credible evidence that JJ Clemence is a Chinese spy, a communist sympathizer, or anything other than a former congressional staffer who did her job — attending events and representing the members of Congress she worked for.

Republican Voters: Staying Home Is a Vote for McFarlane

Republican voter turnout is down. According to early voting data, Republicans have cast 14 percent fewer ballots than Democrats in this race. I suspect GOP voters are tired of the negativity and the mud-slinging. That frustration is understandable. But staying home is not a protest — it is a concession. If you sit out this election, you are in effect casting a vote for Tamara McFarlane. Fort Bend County deserves better than that, and so do you.

Voters in this race for Fort Bend County Clerk deserve a debate about qualifications, experience, and vision for the office. They are instead being fed a diet of insinuation and fear. That is a disservice to the democratic process, and I will not pretend otherwise. McCarthyism destroyed innocent people in the 1950s. It has no place in Fort Bend County in 2026. And if voters do not reject it at the ballot box, do not be surprised when it comes for someone you know — or for you.

Get out and vote.

READ FULL ARTICLE: https://coveringkaty.com/news/fulshear/editorial-smears-lies-and-fear-the-mcfarlane-campaign-playbo/

RICHMOND, Texas (Covering Katy News) — A Fort Bend County Elections Commission member is directly contradicting a claim by Republican primary candidate Tamara McFarlane that she was offered the position of Fort Bend County Elections Administrator.

McFarlane, who is seeking the Fort Bend County Clerk nomination in the March Republican primary, made the claim in a comment posted on the Facebook page of The Chris Heasley Show Presented by Mike Khan, a local video podcast.

“I was offered the Election Administrator role and I proposed my election integrity colleague since I did not want to have a CCP affiliate as the Republican nominee,” McFarlane wrote. McFarlane did not respond to a request from Covering Katy News for an explanation of her claim.

Commission Member: McFarlane Was Never Considered

Bobby Eberle, chairman of the Fort Bend County Republican Party and a member of the Fort Bend County Elections Commission, told Covering Katy News in an exclusive interview that McFarlane’s claim is false.

“She was never offered the job. In fact, she was never even considered,” Eberle said. “Chase (Wilson) was the only one who was considered. For me, Chase was the only logical choice.”

Eberle acknowledged that supporters of both Wilson and McFarlane lobbied for their preferred candidates prior to the vote, but said the commission put so little stock in McFarlane that she was never seriously considered. Wilson was the only candidate they voted on. A separate source told Covering Katy News that McFarlane never submitted a resume, a basic step to be considered for the position.

Unanimous Vote Left McFarlane on the Sidelines

The Fort Bend County Elections Commission voted unanimously in December to appoint Chase Wilson as Fort Bend County Elections Administrator, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Wilson, who had served as assistant election administrator since 2022, replaced John Oldham, who retired Dec. 31, 2025.

The commission is composed of Fort Bend County Judge KP George (R), Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector Carmen Turner (D), Fort Bend County Clerk Laura Richard (R), Eberle, and Jennifer Cantu, chairwoman of the Fort Bend County Democratic Party.

“I think that the Fort Bend County Election Commission has made a wise decision in appointing Chase Wilson as the next Fort Bend County Elections Administrator,” Oldham said at the time of the appointment. “Chase has served eight years in the department, the last four as assistant administrator. He is clearly ready for the job and I firmly believe he is the best choice to provide continuity for the department as we enter a busy election year in 2026.”

Podcast Pushes False Claims Against Clemence

McFarlane posted her comment on the Facebook page of “The Chris Heasley Show Presented by Mike Khan,” a local video podcast. Heasley’s show is produced at a facility owned by Khan who has been soundly defeated in previous Republican primary runs for Precinct 3 Commissioner and State Representative.

The Heasley show has been a platform for a series of false claims targeting McFarlane’s opponent, JJ Clemence. Earlier this month, Heasley featured a guest identified as Solomon Yue, billed as a “CCP hunter” and Republican National Committee official, who recently falsely accused a Hispanic Fort Bend County employee in the office of County Judge KP George of being a high-ranking Chinese Communist Party operative who reported directly to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The man was sitting next to Clemence in the photo. The man is Hispanic and a longtime Fort Bend County resident, not Chinese. Covering Katy News is withholding his name to protect him from potential retaliation. Read more here.

Yue based his accusation on a photo taken during a Chinese delegation’s visit to Fort Bend County. He claimed the employee was part of that delegation and had been seated next to Clemence as part of a spying operation. When Heasley asked Yue what Clemence’s Chinese name was, Yue did not know, undermining his own credibility as an expert witness.

After Covering Katy News contacted Heasley and informed him that his guest had provided false information, the podcast video claims were removed. Heasley declined to comment and did not respond to a request for a written statement. Hours later, Yue sent a mass text to Republican primary voters openly campaigning for McFarlane — dropping any pretense of being an unbiased expert. McFarlane amplified the false claims on her own social media, calling Clemence “a CCP operative” and accusing her of “using Marxist strategies to spark racial tensions.”

Solomon Yue began openly campaigning for Tamara McFarlane after Covering Katy outed him for making untruthful statements about a county employee.

Heasley has continued to push the conspiracy theory even after being informed his guest was wrong, but has shifted to more carefully worded insinuations rather than direct accusations. While he may believe that strategy will keep him out of legal trouble, the body of his work has been to promote unproven conspiracies against Clemence.

A Lie Designed to Hide a Bigger Story

The timing of McFarlane’s post about the elections administrator job raises serious questions. Throughout the campaign, McFarlane has portrayed Clemence as a threat to national security, repeatedly accusing her of being a Chinese Communist operative. But Covering Katy News has learned that McFarlane’s supporters were privately promising that she would to drop out of the race against Clemence if she was appointed Fort Bend County Elections Administrator. In other words, McFarlane was willing to walk away from the race and hand Clemence the Republican nomination without opposition — the same Clemence she has spent months calling a danger to the country. Her post on the Heasley Facebook page made no mention of that promise. Instead, she portrayed her willingness to step aside as a selfless act, casting herself as someone who put election integrity above personal ambition. What she left out tells a different story entirely.

The Real Prize: Control of Fort Bend’s Elections?

A possible answer to why McFarlane was so willing to abandon her campaign lies in the priorities of the Katy Republican Women’s Club, which has been a driving force behind her candidacy. The club has pushed to eliminate electronic voting machines, claiming they are used to steal elections. But people who are involved in the process in Fort Bend say the opposite is true — removing voting machines and relying solely on paper ballots actually makes cheating easier, not harder. The machines Fort Bend uses produce a paper ballot that voters can review after casting their vote, and one of the key safeguards in modern elections is the ability to compare those paper ballots against machine totals. Eliminate the machines and you eliminate that check, making fraud significantly more difficult to detect, they say. Critics say the real beneficiary of that scenario would be whoever controls the paper — in this case, the Fort Bend County elections administrator, a role that McFarlane’s supporters aggressively pushed for her to have.

One commission member previously told Covering Katy News that the lobbying effort to get McFarlane into the position of elections administrator “made a lot of people feel very uncomfortable.”

A Campaign Built on Questionable Claims

The elections administrator claim is not the first time questions have been raised about McFarlane’s statements or campaign conduct. McFarlane has repeatedly touted an endorsement from state Rep. Steve Toth, but Toth has not confirmed the endorsement, and Covering Katy News obtained a text message in which he denied endorsing her. McFarlane continues to promote the claimed endorsement on her social media. Read more here.

McFarlane’s campaign has also been linked to the circulation of an altered photo that appears to show her opponent, JJ Clemence, voluntarily standing in front of a Chinese Communist flag. The photo also darkened her skin. Read more here.

Questions About McFarlane’s Republican Credentials

Questions have also been raised about McFarlane’s Republican credentials. Despite seeking the Republican nomination for county clerk, McFarlane has never voted in a Republican March primary. Her only participation in a GOP primary election was a single runoff, which came at a time when members of her Katy Republican Women’s Club were on the ballot. 

Her first campaign treasurer, former Katy ISD school board president Victor Perez, resigned from the campaign, citing negativity and divisiveness. Read more here.

Multiple witnesses have also described a profanity-laced outburst by McFarlane in the parking lot of a business where a Republican event was held. In that case Daniel Wong is said to have been placed in a car and rushed from the scene by his advisors as McFarlane and another woman began heading in their direction. 

McFarlane faces JJ Clemence in the March Republican primary for Fort Bend County Clerk.

READ FULL ARTICLE: https://coveringkaty.com/news/fort-bend/tamara-mcfarlane-lied-about-being-offered-fort-bend-county-e/

In Fort Bend County politics, Democrats are in driver’s seat and participating in the primary with much enthusiasm. As the party is facing the electorate from a position of strength, there is a keen competition for several county wide races among Democrats.

There are five people on the primary ballot for county judge including three African-Americans, a man and two women, a Hispanic and a Muslim. For Pct. 4 Commissioner, there are seven candidates, including four women and three men, two of them Muslims and one African American.

In the Pct. 2 Commissioner race, long-time incumbent Grady Prestage has one opponent, Larry Blackmon.

Three district judge seats and one county court-at-law judge seat are contested. The incumbent District Clerk has two opponents in the primary and the county clerk position, currently held by a Republican has four Democratic Party contenders. In both races there is a Muslim candidate.

Notably, Sonya Jones, a former Fort Bend ID Trustee and conservative Republican, who had resigned her board seat, is now contesting in the Democratic Party primary for county clerk.

For County Treasurer, currently held by a Republican, there are five Democrats seeking the party nomination, including two Muslims, a man and a woman.

There are 34 candidates on the ballot for 10 contested races in the Democratic Party primary. This many number of candidates also explains the enthusiastic turnout of Democrats during early voting.

On the Republican side, 20 candidates are on the ballot for seven contested races in the county. There are five candidates running for county judge, four of them minorities, including a woman. County Judge KP George, who was a Democrat, is now seeking the Republican Party nomination. The county judge nominee will be decided mostly in the runoff in both the parties.

For Pct. 4 Commissioner, four are seeking Republican Party nomination and two of them are minorities.

In the judicial race, only one district judge race is contested. For 240th District Court judge, currently held by an Indian American Democrat, Surendran Pattel is seeking re-election and he has no opponent in the primary.

Ironically, on the Republican side, Frank Fraley, former District Court Judge, whom Pattel defeated in the primary in 2022, is now running as a Republican. Asha Reddy, an Indian-American, is running against Fraley and the Fort Bend GOP has formally endorsed her candidacy.

There are two candidates each in the straight contest for County Attorney, District Clerk and County Clerk.

In the Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace race, there are three Republicans seeking the party nomination.

The Democratic Party ticket in county races has virtually no white candidate and is dominated by different minority candidates and there is barely any mudslinging of fellow Democrats, at least in public.

The Republican Party, on the other hand, is fraught with minority-baiting and unseemly mudslinging in the two races where minorities appear to be heading for a victory.

The Republican Party as a body is not responsible for the negative campaigning, but a small, fringe group, has been causing a bitter division in the party, and further wounding the frail image of the GOP.

In fact, the Fort Bend GOP leadership has been strenuously cultivating the minority voters and has been engaged in minority community outreach to change the perception that Republicans are racists and anti-immigrants. Already, national politics is affecting the sentiment of voters in local elections and the negative campaign against minority Republicans will only diminish the party’s future prospects further.

The campaigning against J.J. Clemence as a Chinese agent in the county clerk race by her opponent Tamara McFarlane has received wide publicity and drew equally wide condemnation from party activists.

In the Pct. 4 Commissioner race, a smear campaign against Ramesh Chervirala has surfaced where he is maliciously smeared as a “Hindu extremist.” It is obvious that the smear campaign is from one of his opponents, particularly from the “Christian” wing. Nobody is claiming responsibility for the smear campaign.

The rogue faction of the Republican Party has not learned any lesson from Taral Patel aka Antonio Saclywag, who faced felony charges for posting racist comments against himself by stealing the identity of somebody else and the prosecution faced by KP George as one of the beneficiaries of such dubious campaign as a Democrat during his 2022 re-election campaign.

If the Republican Party has a fighting chance in the current election cycle, the party should thank KP George for becoming a Republican and help in reversing the redistricting in favor of the Republicans.

Now, if the Republicans want to retain their majority in commissioners court, they should win either the county judge seat or the Pct. 4 commissioner seat, since they already have two Republicans on the commissioners court.

The fringe group’s anti-minority campaign will not help accomplish this goal. If the candidates promoted by this divisive group win the Republican Party nomination, the Fort Bend GOP will become a minority party for a long time and will set the clock back as far as its outreach efforts to woo the minorities to the GOP, now flocking to the Democratic side, like moths to flames.

READ FULL ARTICLE: https://fbindependent.com/minoritybaiting-by-fringe-elements-in-fort-bend-gop-poses-a-threat-to-the-p16446-1.htm

FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas (Covering Katy News) — A Hispanic Fort Bend County employee was stunned to learn that a man billed as an expert on Chinese government spies has incorrectly identified him as a high-ranking Chinese Communist Party official on a local podcast.

The employee, who works in the office of Fort Bend County Judge KP George, was identified by Solomon Yue on the “Chris Heasley Show” as a Chinese government operative who was spying on the United States. The podcast was posted earlier this week. Yue claimed the Fort Bend County employee’s name was “Wang Jain” and that he reported directly to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The false accusations are the latest in a series of attacks on JJ Clemence, who is facing Tamara McFarlane in the March Republican primary for Fort Bend County Clerk.

The man is Hispanic, not Chinese, and is said to be a longtime Fort Bend County resident. He has declined to comment publicly. Covering Katy News is withholding his name to protect him from potential retaliation by those who saw the Heasley interview and are unaware of the truth.

At the time of publication, Heasley had not issued a retraction.

Yue made the accusation while using a photo taken during a visit to Fort Bend County by a Chinese delegation making a North American tour. Yue claimed the employee was part of that delegation and was seated next to Clemence as part of a spying operation targeting the United States.

“Now, think about this, okay? Uh, this guy actually reports to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, directly. And very interesting how he sits. He did not sit with the rest of the delegation; he sat right next to JJ. So, in other words, he is here infiltrating us. Also, he is a member of that CCP delegation.”

Podcast Host’s Own Interview Undercuts Guest’s Credibility

Heasley’s own interview raised further questions about his guest’s credibility. When Heasley asked Yue what Clemence’s Chinese name is, Yue did not know. He stumbled through his answer, saying:

“I go by, uh, her, you know, English name, JJ Clemence.”

McFarlane Amplifies False Claims on Social Media

McFarlane amplified the claims on social media. In a post, McFarlane quoted Yue’s accusation directly, describing him as a “CCP hunter” and senior Republican National Committee official, and called Clemence “a CCP operative.”

McFarlane went further in the same post, writing that Clemence is “using Marxist strategies to spark racial tensions, dividing neighbors while pushing foreign agendas that undermine American values and democracy.”

After Covering Katy News contacted Heasley and informed him that his guest had provided false information, the podcast video appears to have been removed. Heasley declined to comment and did not respond to a request for a written statement. McFarlane also declined our request for a statement.

A pots by Tamara McFarlane promoting the Chris Heasley show where a county employee was incorrectly identified as a high ranking member of the Chinese Communist Party.

Weeks ago Katy Christian Magazine investigated McFarlane’s claims and found them to be “baseless and dangerous.” Their story is published here.

JJ Clemence’s Record and Qualifications

Clemence is running for Fort Bend County Clerk in the March Republican primary. She immigrated to the United States from China and became a U.S. citizen more than 20 years ago. She has denied any affiliation with the CCP. Gov. Greg Abbott appointed her to two state commissions, and she previously worked in community outreach roles for Congressmen Troy Nehls and Pete Olson. Many of the photos taken while she was performing her duties for Nehls and Olson have been used to claim she is a CCP supporter. Nehls says Clemence was required to undergo a security clearance before working for him and Olson. Her list of endorsements is a who’s who of Republican leadership in Fort Bend County.

Clemence vs. McFarlane: Comparing the Records

The Clemence campaign is pointing to her record to contrast her qualifications with those of her opponent. In campaign materials, the campaign highlights that Clemence has voted in every Republican March Primary since registering to vote while McFarlane has never voted in a GOP March Primary.

Clemence has also served as an elected GOP precinct chair, served on the GOP Finance Committee, is a certified auditor, was appointed twice by Gov. Abbott, is endorsed by retiring County Clerk Laura Richard, and is supported by more than 25 GOP precinct chairs.

STORY UPDATE — Yue Stops Pretending to Be Unbiased

Podcast host Chris Heasley presented Yue as an unbiased expert who deals only in facts. But a few hours after Covering Katy reported that Yue had falsely identified a county employee as a high-ranking member of the Chinese Communist Party, he appeared to abandon any pretense of neutrality when Republican primary voters began receiving this message in a mass text. The original post was published three days ago, but Republicans only began informing Covering Katy today (Friday) that they had received the message.

Solomon Yue began openly campaigning for Tamara McFarlane after Covering Katy outed him for making untruthful statements about a county employee.

READ FULL ARTICLE: https://coveringkaty.com/news/fort-bend/podcast-s-phony-claims-fuel-mcfarlane-s-continued-campaign-a/

KATY, Texas (Covering Katy News) — It appears that state Rep. Steve Toth (R-The Woodlands) may be telling people what they want to hear when it comes to whether he is endorsing Tamara McFarlane, who is running a racially charged primary campaign for Fort Bend County clerk.

Her campaign has literally created a civil war within the Fort Bend GOP as she’s taken a shotgun-style approach to winning, not only targeting her opponent J.J. Clemence but targeting numerous Republican and Democratic elected officials and members of the GOP base who have been longtime party supporters. When she’s challenged on her claims, she sometimes accuses detractors of slander and libel and threatens legal action in what seems to be an act of intimidation in order to silence critics.

One of many social media threats by Tamara McFarlane where she accuses her critics of slander and libel.

Toth says he’s not endorsing

Last week, in a text exchange, Toth told a woman who is considered a GOP stalwart that he’s not endorsing McFarlane or anyone else in this year’s primary.

“I’m not doing any endorsements,” Toth texted. “Nothing against her, I’m just not endorsing,” he added.

The text exchange is below.

A text exchange where State Representative Steve Toth writes that he’s not endorsing Tamara McFarlane, even though McFarlane continues to claim he is endorsing her.

Facebook post tells different story

A few hours after Covering Katy reported that he’s not endorsing McFarlane, a Facebook post from Toth appeared on McFarlane’s Facebook page, from Toth’s account, saying he is endorsing McFarlane.

“You have my full support and endorsement,” the post said.

Did Toth actually write the post?

Knowing whether Toth actually sent the Facebook post is not easy. A little-known fact is that many politicians are too busy to handle their own social media. The posts are sometimes done by a staffer. Toth is a very busy man as he’s running a primary race for Congress against incumbent Dan Crenshaw.

So the question is, did Toth write or approve the post? Or did McFarlane call in a favor? She once lobbied on Toth’s behalf, walking the halls of the state house to pass a piece of legislation. That connection could have given her access to a staffer who posted about the endorsement without Toth’s knowledge or approval.

Unanswered questions

Covering Katy has been attempting to determine the truth. Does Toth endorse McFarlane? Does he not endorse McFarlane, or did he endorse her at one time and then rescind it as the campaign became more heated?

Toth won’t return our calls, and now he’s in a quandary. He’s either guilty of telling his audiences what they want to hear, or he has an uninformed staffer who did a favor for McFarlane, perhaps unaware of the complexities of the situation, and posted an incorrect claim.

We will report the answer if Toth decides to speak. If not, we’re standing by what is in writing and confirmed to be from Toth, that he’s not doing any endorsements in this year’s primary, including McFarlane.

Early voting begins Tuesday, Feb. 17 and ends on Feb. 27, 2026.  Election day is March 3.

READ FULL ARTICLE: https://coveringkaty.com/news/fort-bend/toth-s-conflicting-messages-on-mcfarlane-endorsement-raise-q/

FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas (Covering Katy News) — Every day seems to bring a new racially charged attack on Republican county clerk candidate J.J. Clemence, an immigrant from China who has been an active member of the Fort Bend Republican Party for 20 years.

Doctored image shows Clemence in front of Chinese Communist flag

On Wednesday, Clemence discovered a new altered photo is now being circulated to make it appear that she’s willingly posing in front of the Chinese Communist flag. The publisher also darkened her skin tone. The altered image was used as the featured image on a blog post that repeats the same claims her opponent has been making for weeks, using an unsigned blog post as proof.

“They needed to find another writer to repeat the same old untruthful claims,” Clemence said. “They had a problem. The article they were circulating was unsigned and smart people noticed and discounted its claims. So, they needed a new accomplice who would sign his name to a new article, and in doing so, that publication also altered the featured image, making it appear that I posed for a photo in front of the Chinese Communist flag and they also altered the color of my skin, making it appear darker.”

The article is written by Jeff Reynolds of a little know blog called Restoration News.

“The facts of their story don’t pass scrutiny, so they need to produce propaganda and altered photos to make it appear they’re telling the truth,” Clemence said. “My opponent likes to say she fled from a communist country and she’s a fighter of communism, but she is employing the tactics of the former Soviet state where she grew up. I moved to the United States from China. I understand the game she’s playing. When McFarlane’s supporters are not altering photos, they are altering the facts about photos that exist.”

McFarlane refuses to answer questions

We reached out for comment from McFarlane and her response did not address the facts of this article.

County Treasurer Bill Rickert encouraged Clemence to run

One of those people is Republican County Treasurer Bill Rickert, who tried to coach McFarlane about her actions. He eventually gave up and encouraged Clemence to run.

“Tamara didn’t listen,” Rickert said. “Since then, her behavior has gotten exponentially worse. Now, if she somehow wins the nomination, she’s been so vicious to J.J. that the general election voters, who are watching all this play out, will cast their ballot for the Democratic nominee, and we’ll lose the seat currently being held by three-term Republican Clerk Laura Richard.”

Clemence turns to prayer amid safety concerns

Clemence says she’s turned to prayer during this difficult time because she’s concerned about her safety and the safety of her family.

“In my prayers I’ve asked that my family be protected and that God help me understand what I’m supposed to learn from all these racist attacks, because that’s what they are, exploiting people’s racial fears to win an election is racist.”

Campaign experience shapes vision for customer service

As difficult as this race has been, with Clemence, who immigrated from China, being portrayed as a tool of the communist regime, she says it’s helped her focus on the importance of treating every person who walks through the doors of the clerk’s office with dignity and respect.

“Customer service is what matters most,” Clemence said. “Everyone will be treated the same regardless of race, religion or the political party they support. God has a reason for everything, and I think he’s preparing me for my role as county clerk. He’s allowing this to happen as a reminder of what it feels like for our residents who have been on the receiving side of racism.”

Clemence wants to focus on improving county clerk’s office

Clemence says she wants the campaign to be about how she’ll improve the county clerk’s office, not about the nonsense coming from her opponent.

“Laura Richard has been a wonderful county clerk. In January she’ll hand over her office to a new leader and we’ll need the right person to improve upon an office that’s already running efficiently and professionally,” Clemence said.

Plans include modernizing clerk’s office operations

If elected, she plans to modernize the clerk’s office.

“I’ll build on the strong record-management practices already in place and enhance how official records are organized, preserved and accessed, while using the latest technology to strengthen digital systems and internal safeguards,” Clemence said.

Expanding community outreach and online services

As part of improving customer service, Clemence plans to expand outreach to the community by adding mobile services and workshops. She plans to improve online tools so families, seniors, businesses, schools and new residents can easily access county services without long drives and long lines.

She’s a certified auditor and says she will “apply proven audit and internal-control methods to reduce waste, improve accuracy, enhance security and protect taxpayer dollars.”

Clemence sees the transition from Richard’s leadership to hers as seamless.

Fort Bend County’s diversity inspires hope

Clemence believes God is also reminding her of how many good people there are in Fort Bend, the most diverse county in Texas where, for the most part, everyone lives side by side in harmony. She says Fort Bend is home to immigrants from all over the world because the county is known as a place where everyone is welcome.

‘Good People’ of Fort Bend County Rally Around Clemence

“So many good people have stepped up and endorsed my campaign,” Clemence said. “People have been so nice. I’ve gotten endorsements I never expected while my opponent is seeing just the opposite. Perhaps God is trying to send her a message too, and I hope she will listen.

“Forgiveness is hard but it’s what I’m called to do. I must forgive what’s being done. I’m also called to learn from this because there is a plan, and I do believe what the scripture says, fire refines you, if you walk through it with faith and you don’t let it harden your heart.”

READ FULL ARTICLE: https://coveringkaty.com/news/fort-bend/altered-photo-circulated-in-fort-bend-county-clerk-race-as-j/

KATY, Texas (Covering Katy News) — Republican Fort Bend County Clerk candidate Tamara McFarlane is being sued by a Dallas based roofing company for nearly $11,000, the latest in a series of controversies and lawsuits against her.

Roofing Company Seeks Nearly $11,000 in Unpaid Services

Sali’s Roofing LLC filed a motion for default judgment July 13, 2024, seeking $10,991.73 for unpaid roofing services in Fort Bend County.

According to the company’s petition, McFarlane sold the property on Kyler Cove Lane in Katy, in December 2024, without paying the remaining balance. The company claims McFarlane received $29,680.90 in insurance payments for a $40,625.59 roofing project completed Sept. 19, 2024.

“She put me though hell,” said Brad Sykes of Sali’s Roofing said in a text message to Covering Katy News. “There’s no way I want her to get off so she can commit more fraud against the people.”

Covering Katy News asked McFarlane for her side of the story. She refused, saying Covering Katy is “fake news,” so we’ve posted the court documents below, verifying that the case against her is very real.

See court documents here: Sali’s Roofing v. Tamara McFarlane

Seeking to properly present McFarlane’s side of the story we dug deep into the court records and located McFarlane’s response where she denies owing any money to Sali’s Roofing.

“I have paid Sali’s Roofing in full for the work they performed,” McFarlane said.

McFarlane also accused Sali’s of breaking the law, alleging the company submitted supplemental claims to her insurance company without her knowledge, illegally agreed to waive her deductible then collected it anyway, failed to properly replace flashing and vents, and billed her for work not performed including gutter replacement she says never happened. In response, the roofing company submitted photos of the gutters to the court so the judge could determine who is telling the truth.

McFarlane also claims she was never properly served with court motions. However, we found court records showing she was served with a citation April 7. Her answers were due April 21. She made the court wait until Sept. 2 before she filed her response which we have posted below.

Tamara McFarlane submitted this document in response to the lawsuit filed by Sali’s roofing against her.

Roofer Brad Sykes disputes both McFarlane’s response to the court and information she’s provided to the insurance company. 

“She didn’t just steal from me, she committed insurance fraud and then lied to the court in her paperwork filing,” Sykes said in a text message to Covering Katy News.

The case remains active so it’s now up to Justice of the Peace Kelly Crow to determine who is telling the truth.

McFarlane sued by her HOA for drilling unapproved water well

The roofing case is one of two recent lawsuits involving McFarlane. She and her husband, Brad Michael McFarlane, were both sued by the Grayson Lakes Community Association over an unapproved water well at their upscale home where municipal water service was already available. According to court documents, Brad and Tamara McFarlane settled the lawsuit on Feb. 19, 2025.

The 400th District Court found that the McFarlanes violated the neighborhood’s deed restrictions by installing the water well without approval. However, the association agreed to grant a temporary variance allowing the couple to maintain the well as long as they own the home.

The variance terminates when the property is sold or conveyed to anyone other than the McFarlanes or their biological or adopted children.

Before selling the home, the McFarlanes must have the well permanently removed, plugged or capped by a licensed water well driller or pump installer in accordance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality guidelines. They must also provide written documentation to the homeowners association from Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District 130 confirming the well has been properly closed and that the property’s sole water supply is being provided by the Municipal Utility District.

Both parties agreed to release all claims against each other related to the lawsuit. The court ruled that each party will pay its own attorney fees and costs. That means the Grayson Lakes Community Association had to use its funds, paid for by its residents, to fund the lawsuit. 

See court documents: Grayson Lakes Community Association v. Brad and Tamara McFarlane

Campaign marked by unsubstantiated accusations and lost endorsements

Beyond her legal issues, McFarlane has been at the center of multiple campaign controversies. She continues to claim her opponent is a communist, but her claims are undercut by an offer she made to drop out of the race if the county would appoint her as elections administrator. Had the county agreed, McFarlane would have cleared the way for opponent J.J. Clemence to receive the clerk’s nomination unchallenged, raising questions about why she would facilitate the nomination of someone she characterizes as a threat to national security.

Another campaign controversy came to light this week. Victor Perez, McFarlane’s former campaign treasurer, quietly resigned on January 31, citing unhappiness with the campaign’s negativity and divisiveness.

“I have been unhappy with the negativity of the campaign and the divisiveness it has created within the party,” Perez wrote in his statement to Covering Katy News.

Texas state Rep. Steve Toth of Montgomery County has also confirmed that he has pulled his endorsement of McFarlane.

 Link to J.J. Clemence Endorsements 

Profanity-laced tirade and threats of legal action

Multiple witnesses say McFarlane went on a profanity-laced tirade after a Republican candidate’s event. One witness said County Judge Candidate Daniel Wong had to be quickly escorted from the parking when McFarlane began heading in his direction.

McFarlane’s pattern of accusing people, like roofer Brad Sykes, of committing crimes has carried over to the campaign. She’s been threatening legal action against those who challenge her political claims on social media. In a recent Facebook message, she wrote, “I look forward to personally suing you for slander and libel. Your lies have gone too far.”

Accusing people of slander and libel has been a recent recurring theme as the campaign moves closer to election day. 

One of many social media threats by Tamara McFarlane where she accuses her critics of slander and libel.

McFarlane never voted in a March Republican primary

McFarlane claims to be a conservative, but her voting record shows she’s not being completely transparent about voting conservative. She’s never voted in a March Republican primary since registering in 2019. McFarlane has cast only one ballot in a Republican runoff. So, while she says she’s conservative, she’s not consistently casting votes for conservatives.

Here opponent J.J. Clemence registered to vote in Fort Bend County in 2015 and has voted in every Republican primary since then, according to county voting records.

READ FULL ARTICLE: https://coveringkaty.com/news/fort-bend/controversy-follows-fort-bend-county-clerk-candidate-tamara-/

KATY, Texas (Covering Katy News) — Victor Perez, the former campaign treasurer for Fort Bend County clerk candidate Tamara McFarlane, has resigned, citing unhappiness with the campaign’s “negativity” and “divisiveness” following weeks of McFarlane accusing opponent J.J. Clemence of being a Chinese spy and a threat to national security with no credible evidence.

“I have been unhappy with the negativity of the campaign and the divisiveness it has created within the party,” Perez wrote in his statement to Covering Katy News.

State representative withdraws endorsement

Texas state Rep. Steve Toth of Montgomery County also recently pulled his endorsement of McFarlane following weeks of erratic behavior by the candidate which brings new daily accusations, sometimes against longtime respected Republican volunteers who, for the most part, serve without public recognition.

Profanity-laced outburst at Republican candidates forum

Republican candidates are still buzzing about McFarlane’s profanity-laced outburst in a parking lot following a recent candidates forum. Multiple witnesses say she was with a campaign supporter during the outburst, using obscenities directed primarily at current and former party leaders.

“She was saying F-Bobby Eberle (party chair) and F-the Nehls,” a candidate for office told Covering Katy News. The candidate did not want to be identified but was repulsed by McFarlane’s behavior and the behavior of her supporter.

Witnesses say McFarlane and her supporter began by ranting about the party leadership and then set their sights on Daniel Wong, an Asian American running for county judge, prompting his campaign team to quickly escort him by vehicle from the scene. McFarlane and her supporter’s actions are typically carried out online, but in this instance there was fear that it could have turned physical.

“We all just wanted to get out of there,” a candidate who asked not to be identified said.

Former Katy ISD board president resigns as treasurer

Perez said he resigned on Jan. 31, a move that was not widely known before Covering Katy News asked why he was still supporting McFarlane given the damage she’s causing to his Republican party. Our questions was prompted after seeing a photo of Perez wearing a t-shirt with the 10 Commandments, the ninth states “Thou shalt not bear false witness.”

“I agreed to serve as Tamara McFarlane’s campaign treasurer when she initially filed to run – early in the process before she had an opponent and prior to the official launch of her campaign.”

Perez said he had not been actively involved in her campaign and never issued an official endorsement.

While Perez says he did not issue an “official” endorsement, he has written positively about her and even praised her past actions.

“I’ve known Tamara for several years. She was an active and vocal supporter of the conservative initiatives and policies we pursued and accomplished during my time on the Katy ISD school board.”

But on Jan. 31, Perez had had enough and he submitted his resignation as McFarlane’s treasurer.

“Recently, I provided Tamara with written notice of my resignation as campaign treasurer and requested that she replace me immediately,” Perez said.

Incomplete campaign finance report raises transparency questions

With Perez, a former energy industry chief financial officer, off the team, McFarlane has submitted incomplete campaign finance reports which contain only the first page and no relevant financial information. Campaign finance reports are required to provide transparency about campaign contributions and expenditures. McFarlane campaigns on being an award-winning auditor, so her lack of basic information about who is donating to her campaign and where she is spending her money does not align with her campaign narrative.

Covering Katy News has found it difficult to get answers from McFarlane about a variety of issues. She typically ignores questions, but yesterday her response was “Covering Katy is fake news.” That response came to a question about her being sued by a roofer who claims she owes him nearly $11,000. That case is working its way through the court, and Covering Katy News will have more information in the days ahead based on the publicly available court records.

McFarlane’s claims don’t match her backroom politics

McFarlane’s insistence that Clemence is a threat to national security is contradictory to an offer she made earlier in the race. McFarlane proposed stepping down from the county clerk’s race, clearing the way for Clemence to receive the Republican nomination unopposed, if McFarlane would be appointed as county elections administrator when that position became open on Jan. 1, 2026. While McFarlane’s supporters pushed hard for the deal, it was never considered by the Republicans and Democrats in county government who make that decision.

Support Comes from Republican Women’s Club of Katy

Much of McFarlane’s support seems to come mostly from the Republican Women’s Club of Katy. Clemence did not attend the club’s recent candidates forum because of the toxicity emanating from the group. At that forum, McFarlane took to the stage and accused Clemence of being a tool of the Chinese Communist Party. No one from the club stood up and questioned her claim, but there were gasps coming from some non-members in the audience.

Early voting begins Feb. 17

Early voting for the primary election begins Feb. 17 and runs through Feb. 27. Election day is March 4.

Victor Perez’s full statement to Covering Katy News:

In response to your email, I agreed to serve as Tamara McFarlane’s campaign treasurer when she initially filed to run – early in the process before she had an opponent and prior to the official launch of her campaign. I have not been actively involved in her campaign and have never issued an official endorsement. Recently, I provided Tamara with written notice of my resignation as campaign treasurer and requested that she replace me immediately. I have been unhappy with the negativity of the campaign and the divisiveness it has created within the party.

I’ve known Tamara for several years. She was an active and vocal supporter of the conservative initiatives and policies we pursued and accomplished during my time on the Katy ISD school board.

READ FULL ARTICLE: https://coveringkaty.com/news/fort-bend/perez-pulls-out-of/

FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas (Covering Katy News) — Fort Bend County Clerk Laura Richard is endorsing J.J. Clemence in the Republican primary race for county clerk against Tamara McFarlane.

Richard is serving her third term as county clerk and is not seeking reelection. The endorsement comes just days after Republican County Treasurer Bill Rickert also endorsed Clemence.

Richard praises Clemence’s experience and qualifications

“I fully endorse JJ Clemence for the position of Fort Bend County Clerk in the Republican Primary,” Richard said in a statement. “After meeting with both candidates, it is clear to me that JJ brings extensive experience managing people, resources, and complex workflows with a strong record of process improvement leading to increased efficiency while maintaining accuracy, accountability, and transparency.”

Richard said Clemence’s background demonstrates fiscal responsibility and budget management skills needed for the county clerk’s office.

GOP leaders rally behind Clemence amid McFarlane’s racially charged unverified claims

Republican party leaders have been rallying around Clemence, a 20-year member of their party, as McFarlane continues to relentlessly push an unproven narrative that Clemence, who is from China, is a Chinese Communist Party loyalist. The claim was recently dismantled in a Katy Christian Magazine investigation titled J.J. Clemence: How a Baseless and Dangerous Espionage Claim Entered the Fort Bend County Clerk’s Race.

Covering Katy News came to a similar conclusion as Katy Christian Magazine after McFarlane reached out to this publication pushing her claims earlier in the campaign. As weeks passed and neither regional nor hyperlocal small news publications would embrace McFarlane’s narrative, she personally circulated a press release with a link to the unsigned internet story.

McFarlane has also pointed to a one-hour December meeting between some county leaders and a traveling Chinese delegation that was touring North America and made a stop in Fort Bend County. She claims it violated a new state law prohibiting sister city agreements.

“In this election year, supporters of my opponent are untruthfully claiming that this meeting violated Texas House Bill 128, which prohibits governmental entities from establishing sister-city agreements with foreign adversaries,” Clemence said. “No sister-city agreement was established, maintained, or renewed. I served as an interpreter at a cultural exchange that lasted about an hour,” she added.

“Ronald Reagan believed that dialogue and understanding are the path forward. In America, we have the freedom to meet, speak, and exchange ideas. That openness is not universal and demonstrating it to those unfamiliar with the American way of life should not be stifled — it should be encouraged,” Clemence said.

The attacks on Clemence’s character have resulted in numerous party leaders endorsing her campaign when many of them would typically stay neutral during primary races. Clemence’s endorsements are a who’s who of Fort Bend County Republican leadership. Former Congressman Pete Olson, Congressman Troy Nehls, former County Judge Robert Hebert, former District Attorney John Healey and former party chair Linda Howell are just a few party leaders who say McFarlane is not only spreading what they call untruthful information, but also harming the party’s decades-long outreach to immigrant communities.

Clemence’s growing list of endorsements can be found on her campaign website. At the time this article was published, McFarlane’s campaign website did not show a list of endorsements.

While not directly mentioning McFarlane’s racially charged claims, Richard seemed to touch on the subject by saying Clemence is a better fit for the clerk’s position than McFarlane.

“JJ is a person of strong character with the steady, professional temperament required for this role,” Richard said. “She is fair, thoughtful, diplomatic, and respectful in her approach to public service. This combination of integrity, experience and proven public service to our community makes her exceptionally well qualified to serve as the County Clerk of Fort Bend.”

McFarlane’s Claims Don’t Match Her Backroom Politics

McFarlane’s insistence that Clemence is a threat to national security is contradictory to an offer she made earlier in the race. McFarlane proposed stepping down from the county clerk’s race, clearing the way for Clemence to receive the Republican nomination unopposed, if McFarlane would be appointed as county elections administrator when that position became open on Jan. 1, 2026. While McFarlane’s supporters pushed hard for the deal, it was never considered by the Republicans and Democrats in county government who make that decision.

Rickert highlights Clemence’s professional background and personal service

In his endorsement, Rickert praised Clemence’s extensive experience and community commitment.

“J.J. Clemence has a long track record of responsible leadership, professional excellence, and community service that uniquely qualifies her to lead the County Clerk’s Office,” Rickert said. “With more than twenty years of experience spanning the private, public, and government sectors, she brings proven expertise in audit, compliance, operations, and financial stewardship, skills that are vital for safeguarding the records, processes, and trust that our residents rely on every day.”

Rickert noted Clemence’s role as audit leader for Harris County Public Health, where she built an internal audit system.

“Beyond her professional qualifications, J.J.’s commitment to community is unmatched,” Rickert said. “As Founder and Chair of the Clemence Youth Foundation, she has uplifted families and empowered young people across Fort Bend County through volunteer programs, leadership initiatives, and civic-minded outreach.”

Voting records show different levels of GOP primary participation

McFarlane claims to be a conservative, but her voting record shows apathy toward voting for them. Since registering to vote in 2019, McFarlane has voted in only one Republican runoff and has not voted in a Republican March primary, records show.

Clemence registered to vote in Fort Bend County in 2015 and has voted in every Republican primary since then, according to county voting records.

READ FULL ARTICLE: https://coveringkaty.com/news/fort-bend/retiring-incumbent-laura-richard-endorses-j-j-clemence-for-f/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPwkS9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFndmt2QlhPem4wWXBtWmJoc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsnNHgfLz9NlV51I386Cafv9ia6ztmxYizfx6iTy87HbmwABUsrqhR3b76oU_aem_cflJMrFxPRH-EO70q-nfXA

Endorsement of J.J. Clemence for Fort Bend County Clerk
Bill Rickert- Fort Bend County Treasurer

As Fort Bend County Treasurer, l’ve had the privilege of working alongside our current and retiring County Clerk Laura Richard who is deeply committed to integrity, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and service to our residents. It is with great pride that I endorse J.J. Clemence for Fort Bend County Clerk in the March 3, 2026 Republican primary.

J.J. Clemence has a long track record of responsible leadership, professional excellence, and community service that uniquely qualifies her to lead the County Clerk’s Office. With more than twenty years of experience spanning the private, public, and government sectors, she brings proven expertise in audit, compliance, operations, and financial stewardship, skills that are vital for safeguarding the records, processes, and trust that our residents rely on every day.

As Audit Leader for Harris County Public Health, J.J. built an entire internal audit function, strengthening transparency, accountability, and operational effectiveness. Her professional background in internal controls and risk management is exactly the kind of leadership we need in the Clerk’s Office.

Beyond her professional qualifications, J.J.’s commitment to community is unmatched. As Founder and Chair of the Clemence Youth Foundation, she has uplifted families and empowered young people across Fort Bend County through volunteer programs, leadership initiatives, and civic-minded outreach.

J.J. is running to continue the strong legacy of service in the Clerk’s Office – focused on accessibility, customer service, accountability, and ensuring every resident’s records are secure and accessible.

In these challenging times, Fort Bend deserves a County Clerk who will champion efficiency, uphold taxpayer trust, and bring thoughtful, experienced leadership to every aspect of the office. I am confident that J.J. Clemence will do just that.

I enthusiastically support J.J. Clemence for Fort Bend County Clerk and urge voters who value professionalism, conservative principles, and community service to join me in casting their ballot for her on March 3, 2026.

Bill Rickert
Fort Bend County Treasurer

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18E8zjV41Y/

Editor’s Note:
This article examines allegations made against Fort Bend County Clerk candidate J.J. Clemence by reviewing public records, campaign communications, on-the-record statements, and materials circulated as purported evidence.

Katy Christian Magazine reviewed public-records requests, correspondence, photographs, and campaign statements cited in support of the allegation. Those materials are described specifically to clarify what they do — and do not — show. No allegation of criminal wrongdoing is made without documented proof, and all parties referenced were given the opportunity to respond.

In the final weeks before the Republican primary, Fort Bend County Clerk candidate J.J. Clemence has been accused online and in campaign settings of being a “Chinese asset” or a “Chinese Communist Party spy.”

Clemence is Chinese-American, an immigrant, and a naturalized U.S. citizen. She is a long-time Fort Bend County community member and a Republican candidate who has publicly defended her patriotism and transparency as the accusations spread.

The allegation is not subtle. It accuses Clemence of foreign allegiance and national-security betrayal — conduct that, if true, would constitute a serious federal crime. Such claims belong in the hands of law enforcement. Instead, they have circulated through anonymous blogs, activist messaging, campaign communications, public speeches, and private written statements in a local county race.

Clemence said she first became aware of the rumors just hours after the candidate filing deadline on Dec. 8. While variations of the claim have circulated for months, their intensity increased sharply in recent weeks as the primary approached.

The timing matters. So do the stakes. Accusations of espionage are not ordinary political attacks. Even when false, they can permanently damage a person’s career, reputation, and public standing. For Clemence, the allegation threatens both her likelihood of winning this race and — most critically — the professional and personal life she has spent decades building.

Where the accusation originated and what it claims

The accusation traces back to a February 2025 post on Vermilion China, an advocacy website focused on criticism of the Chinese Communist Party’s global influence. The post lists no author and offers no law-enforcement report, intelligence assessment, sworn testimony, or formal finding. Its argument relies on association and insinuation, treating civic interaction involving Chinese nationals as evidence of foreign control.

Specifically, the blog alleges that Clemence’s participation in a brief cultural exchange involving visiting Chinese officials — including assisting with scheduling and interpretation — constitutes evidence that she facilitated access for representatives of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to local government offices. It further asserts, without documentation, that such visits are inherently CCP-directed and that Clemence’s role in helping coordinate a meeting and courthouse tour amounts to acting on behalf of a foreign adversary.

The article presents no evidence that Clemence entered into any agreement, exercised governmental authority, violated state law, or acted under the direction of a foreign government.

From there, the allegation spread through social media and activist messaging, repackaged as “public concern” despite the absence of documented proof.

How the allegation entered the campaign

In Fort Bend County’s Clerk race, the accusation quickly trickled out of anonymous online spaces.

Clemence’s opponent, Tamara McFarlane, issued a press release stating her campaign was not behind the Vermilion China article. That same release, however, included a direct hyperlink to the blog post itself.

Disclaiming authorship while directing voters to an allegation of espionage is not neutral conduct. It circulates the claim while avoiding accountability for its consequences.

McFarlane then repeated the accusation publicly. On Jan. 22, at a Republican Women’s Club of Katy Primary Candidate forum, she stated that her opponent was “busy bringing in Chinese Communist Party officials in a sister city delegation December 4th,” and asserted that Clemence had coordinated CCP delegations in Houston and Fort Bend County for the past decade.

The forum included over 56 Republican candidates including Texas Congressional candidates, statewide candidates, and Harris County and Fort Bend County candidates.

These remarks were made as part of campaign messaging, presented as fact, and offered without reference to any criminal finding, agency determination, or evidence of unlawful conduct.

The “sister city” claim and what Clemence actually did

Supporters of the accusation have repeatedly pointed to Texas House Bill 128 and invoked “sister city” relationships as proof that Clemence’s conduct was unlawful or suspect. That framing depends on a misunderstanding of both what a sister city relationship is and what the statute actually restricts.

A sister city relationship is a formal partnership between local governments, typically established through official action such as resolutions or agreements.

HB 128 restricts governmental entities from entering into, maintaining, or renewing formal sister city agreements with foreign adversaries. It does not apply to informal visits, meetings, or cultural exchanges.

Those advancing the allegation argue that Clemence violated the spirit, if not the letter, of HB 128 by assisting with a visit from Chinese officials to Fort Bend County. According to that claim, the delegation’s connection to a Chinese sister city means the visitors should be treated as representatives of the CCP, and that any involvement in facilitating their visit constitutes improper foreign access to local government.

The records reviewed by Katy Christian Magazine show what actually occurred.

Clemence assisted with coordinating a brief, publicly documented cultural visit by a Chinese delegation that was already traveling through the United States. Her role was limited to logistical assistance: communicating with county staff to ask whether it would be possible for the visitors to briefly meet the county judge, take a short courthouse tour, and participate in a ceremonial exchange consistent with similar international visits.

She did not vote on, approve, create, or renew any sister city agreement. She did not negotiate or sign any contract. She did not act on behalf of Fort Bend County or exercise governmental authority.

The allegation therefore rests on the premise that relaying scheduling requests and occasionally assisting with interpretation is equivalent to entering into a prohibited governmental agreement with a foreign adversary — a premise not supported by the statute.

HB 128 governs formal governmental actions. It does not prohibit visits, meetings, tours, or cultural exchanges, nor does it criminalize private citizens who help facilitate them. This distinction matters because the claim being made is not that Clemence acted secretly or concealed her involvement.

The communications were open, routine, and conducted through normal county channels. The allegation instead depends on redefining ordinary civic facilitation as evidence of foreign control — a conclusion the documents themselves do not support.

What McFarlane provided when asked for comment

When Katy Christian Magazine reached out to McFarlane for comment, she reiterated the allegation in writing while maintaining that she was not responsible for spreading the rumor.

In her response, McFarlane stated that “the CCP concerns about my opponent … have been circulating in the Asian community for years,” and asserted that Clemence had “demonstrated close ties to CCP organizations and officials.” She claimed those concerns were “valid” and “have nothing to do with my campaign.”

McFarlane then supplied photographs of Clemence attending public events alongside Chinese officials and Chinese-American community members, presenting the images as corroboration of her claims.

The photographs depict Clemence at large, public cultural or community gatherings — events attended by numerous people, including civic leaders and members of the public. They do not show private meetings, policy deliberations, agreements, or any exercise of governmental authority. They do not show Clemence acting on behalf of Fort Bend County or any government entity.

The implication advanced through these images is that Clemence’s presence at public events, and her proximity to Chinese nationals, constitutes evidence of allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party. That implication rests entirely on association rather than conduct. Visibility is treated as evidence. Ethnicity is treated as suspicion. No action, directive, or authority is identified.

This form of argument is central to the smear campaign: ordinary, transparent civic participation is retroactively reframed as proof of foreign control. The photographs do not establish wrongdoing. They are being used to suggest it.

Private accusation, same claim

The allegation has also been asserted privately.

Katy Christian Magazine reviewed a screenshot of a private message sent by McFarlane to a third party in which she stated, “your candidate is a CCP affiliate,” while threatening the recipient with legal action. The recipient authorized publication of the message with identifying information removed.

The language mirrors McFarlane’s public remarks and written response to Katy Christian Magazine. The allegation is stated as fact, not speculation, and is presented without documented proof.

The record the accusation ignores

Only after laying out every version of the allegation does the absence of evidence become unavoidable.

If there were credible national-security concerns about Clemence, they would not first surface through anonymous blogs, campaign speeches, or forwarded screenshots. They would emerge through federal authorities.

Clemence previously worked for two Republican Members of Congress, Troy Nehls and Pete Olson. Both have endorsed her candidacy.

Nehls provided Katy Christian Magazine with on-the-record testimony regarding congressional vetting procedures.

“We send all the information to the U.S. Capitol Police, and they conduct a background check,” Nehls said. “If there are any concerns, they notify the chief of staff or me. A background check would have been conducted on J.J. Clemence.”

Nehls described the allegation as “a horrible attack on an honorable lady” and said, “I support her 110 percent.”

There is no public record of any investigation, charge, or action by the FBI, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, or any counterintelligence agency involving Clemence.

What the public-records request actually shows

Much of the smear campaign against Clemence hinges on a public-records request that has been repeatedly cited as evidence of wrongdoing. The materials obtained through that request have been circulated among activists and referenced in campaign messaging as supposed proof of foreign influence.

For that reason, the contents of the request — and what it actually produced — warrant close examination.

A political activist aligned with the McFarlane campaign submitted a public-records request and later forwarded the resulting materials to Katy Christian Magazine, citing them as support for the allegation.

The records consist of routine civic correspondence: nonprofit event invitations, scheduling coordination with county staff, and a recommendation letter written by K. P. George on behalf of a seven-year-old U.S. citizen applying to an international school. The letter references the child’s involvement in the Clemence Youth Foundation. It alleges no wrongdoing and identifies no foreign influence.

The production contains no sister city agreement, no vote, no resolution, no contract, and no law-enforcement determination that Clemence posed a security risk.

When asked how the materials demonstrated wrongdoing, the activist argued that delegations connected to sister city activity should be presumed CCP-affiliated, without providing an official designation or evidentiary basis.

The conclusion preceded the documents. The documents did not support the conclusion.

Why this matters now

As Fort Bend County voters approach the Republican primary, the escalation of an unsubstantiated espionage allegation days before ballots are cast is not incidental.

Campaigns cannot control anonymous blogs. They can control whether they circulate those claims, repeat them publicly, supply materials to reinforce them, or continue asserting them after the record fails to support them.

After reviewing public records, campaign statements, activist communications, photographs, and on-the-record testimony, the conclusion is straightforward:

There is no documented proof that J.J. Clemence violated state law. There is no evidence of foreign influence or espionage. There is no law-enforcement finding supporting the accusation in the Fort Bend County Clerk’s race.

What the record shows is how an anonymous blog post — actively reinforced through campaign messaging and repetition — introduced a claim that does not hold up under scrutiny.

Elections should be decided on qualifications, records, and the ability to serve the public. Accusations of espionage demand proof. In this case, that proof has not been produced.

READ FULL ARTICLE: https://katychristianmagazine.com/2026/01/23/j-j-clemence-how-a-baseless-and-dangerous-espionage-claim-entered-the-fort-bend-county-clerks-race/

✨ Join me this Tuesday! ✨
I would love the opportunity to meet my neighbors here in Fort Bend County and share why I’m running to serve as your next County Clerk.

This is your chance to ask questions, get to know me personally, and learn what qualifies me for this role — including over 20 years of experience in auditing, finance, compliance, and public service, building strong internal controls, protecting taxpayer resources, and improving transparency and efficiency in government.

I’m also honored to welcome Pete Olson as a special guest, along with a few other surprises you won’t want to miss.

I truly believe leadership starts with listening, and I look forward to connecting with you, hearing your priorities, and earning your trust.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bv9mwuq7K

Address of venue: 17101 W Grand Pkwy S Suite 100, Sugar Land, TX 77479

Time: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

SUGAR LAND, Texas — J.J. Clemence, Republican candidate for Fort Bend County Clerk, issued the following statement today addressing recent internet chatter about her participation in a cultural exchange meeting:

In December I joined other Fort Bend County leaders in welcoming a Chinese delegation traveling across America and Canada. Fort Bend County was one of their many stops. We documented the meeting publicly on social media so that all could see the work being done to promote the American way of life to people who requested to learn more. We hope they will return home and emulate the freedoms we have here in the United States. I believe people from other cultures are more likely to embrace American freedoms when they experience them firsthand.

My opponent and her supporters are now falsely claiming I am a member of the Chinese Communist Party through anonymous social media posts and misleading campaign materials.
I have never been a member of the CCP, nor am I an instrument of the Chinese government. These baseless accusations are the desperate tactics of a failing campaign from an opponent whose playbook is to divide our community rather than unite it.

In this election year, supporters of my opponent are untruthfully claiming that this meeting violated Texas House Bill 128, which prohibits governmental entities from establishing sister-city agreements with foreign adversaries. No sister-city agreement was established, maintained, or renewed. I served as an interpreter at a cultural exchange that lasted about an hour.
America has always been a beacon of hope to those who come seeking freedom, opportunity, and the American dream.

I came to the United States from China to study and earn my Master of Business Administration (MBA). I stayed because I fell in love with this country and everything it represents. I became a U.S. citizen because I strongly embraced American values.

For more than 20 years, I have served this community with distinction. Governor Greg Abbott appointed me to two state commissions. I’ve worked for Congressmen Troy Nehls and Pete Olson on community outreach. I serve Fort Bend ISD and built Harris County Public Health’s internal audit function to protect taxpayer dollars. I founded the Clemence Youth Foundation to help the children of Chinese immigrants born in America develop into responsible, engaged Americans. Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders, and investing in them is investing in our future.

Ronald Reagan believed that dialogue and understanding are the path forward. In America, we have the freedom to meet, speak, and exchange ideas. That openness is not universal and demonstrating it to those unfamiliar with the American way of life should not be stifled — it should be encouraged.
I am proud to be an American, and I believe, as Ronald Reagan believed, that peace is built not just on agreements but on “understanding between peoples.”

We should embrace the American way of life, promote it, and whenever possible demonstrate it to people from other parts of the world so they, too, can experience the ideals that make this nation a shining city on a hill.

I am running for Fort Bend County Clerk because I believe every family deserves a Clerk’s office that is modern, transparent, accurate, and community-centered — one that serves everyone in our beautifully diverse community with dignity and respect, regardless of where they were born.

For more information on my priorities, please visit https://clemencetx.com/

READ FULL ARTICLE: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/fort-bend/article/fort-bend-gop-candidate-defends-communist-21286164.php

FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas (Covering Katy News) — JJ Clemence, a Sugar Land resident with more than 20 years of experience in private, public and government sectors, announced she will seek the Republican nomination for Fort Bend County clerk in the March 2026 primary election.

Clemence, founder and chair of the Clemence Youth Foundation, enters the Fort Bend County clerk race for the open seat being vacated by County Clerk Laura Richard, who has held the Fort Bend County clerk position since Jan. 1, 2015, and is not seeking reelection.

I am running for Fort Bend County Clerk because every family deserves a Clerk’s office that is modern, transparent, accurate, and community-centered, Clemence said. “My background in auditing, compliance, technology innovation, customer service, and community leadership uniquely prepares me to enhance services, improve responsiveness, and continue strengthening the trust between the Clerk’s office and the people it serves.

Fort Bend County clerk candidate appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to state commissions

Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Clemence to the Judicial Compensation Commission with a term set to expire Feb. 1, 2027. The commission recommends salaries for justices and judges of the Texas Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, Courts of Appeals and state district courts.

Abbott also appointed the Fort Bend County clerk candidate to the  Real Estate Research Advisory Committee for a term that expired Jan. 31, 2023.

“I was appointed by the Governor to the Texas Real Estate Research and Advisory Committee in 2018, where I served as Vice Chair, and was reappointed in 2021,” Clemence said. “I currently serve on the Texas Judicial Compensation Committee. Working in partnership with legislators, our commission successfully advanced the 2025 judicial compensation bill—strengthening Texas’s ability to attract and retain highly qualified jurists.”

Sugar Land Republican candidate brings Congressional, Fort Bend ISD, Energy experience to Fort Bend County Clerk race

The Sugar Land resident with more than 20 years of experience, Clemence has served as a certified internal auditor, finance manager, business development manager and fundamental intelligence advisor, supporting corporate-level leadership at major Fortune 500 companies including Baker Hughes, Spectra Energy, Enbridge and UMB Financial Corporation.

She’s also served in the congressional offices of U.S. Reps. Pete Olson and Troy Nehls and held leadership roles with the Fort Bend Independent School District where she served on the Innovation Committee and the Bond Oversight Committee.

“As the audit leader for Harris County Public Health, I built the department’s entire internal audit function from the ground up—developing the audit charter, establishing risk-based assessments, implementing technology and process improvements, and strengthening transparency and accountability across a major government agency,” Clemence said.

Clemence is also a member of The Institute of Internal Auditors.

Clemence emphasizes accountability, conservative values and unity in the community

As the founder and chair of the Clemence Youth Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to youth development, Clemence says she’s dedicated her life to programs and volunteer initiatives that promote unity by uplifting, educating and connecting young people. From local government and local business learning programs to senior-outreach tech support, leadership camps and annual talent showcases.

“I built a platform designed to empower the next generation to lead with confidence, compassion and character,” she said.

“Fort Bend deserves a clerk who is accountable, experienced, community-rooted and committed to efficient service,” Clemence said in a statement announcing her Fort Bend County clerk candidacy.

The Fort Bend County clerk’s office handles vital records, court operations, property filings and public records access for Fort Bend County residents and families.

Clemence described herself as a conservative Republican with “values rooted in accountability and fiscal responsibility.”

Clemence holds MBA from Baker University

She holds a Master of Business Administration from Baker University in Kansas.

The Fort Bend County Republican primary election is scheduled for March 2026.

READ FULL ARTICLE: https://coveringkaty.com/news/fort-bend/jj-clemence-announces-candidacy-for-fort-bend-county-clerk-i/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Today, I am proud to announce my candidacy for Fort Bend County Clerk in the 2026 election.

For more than twenty years, I have served our community through both professional work and civic leadership. I have worked in the private, public, and government sectors, and I have served our community at the federal, state, county, school district, and nonprofit levels. This includes appointments by Governor Greg Abbott, years of working with the offices of Congressman Pete Olson and Congressman Troy Nehls, and leadership
roles with Fort Bend ISD.

As Audit Leader for Harris County Public Health, I built an entire internal audit function from the ground up, strengthening transparency, improving operations, protecting taxpayer resources, and ensuring accountability. As Founder and Chair of the Clemence Youth Foundation, I’ve worked closely with families, youth, and community partners throughout Fort Bend County and the Greater Houston area to create programs that uplift, educate, and connect our next generation of leaders.

Every family in Fort Bend County relies on the County Clerk’s office for vital records, court operations, property filings, and public access. Fort Bend deserves a Clerk who is accountable, experienced, community-rooted, and committed to efficient service. My background in auditing, compliance, technology & process improvement, customer service, and community leadership uniquely prepares me to modernize the office, improve responsiveness, deliver the efficient, resident-focused service and continue earning the trust of Fort Bend residents.

I am running because we need a County Clerk who puts people first – someone with proven integrity, conservative values rooted in accountability and fiscal responsibility, and a record of real results.

I humbly ask for your support as we begin this journey. With your help, we can build a more transparent, efficient, and service-driven County Clerk’s office for every Fort Bend family.

— J.J. Clemence
Candidate for Fort Bend County Clerk