Debate Persists over GOP Applications in Upshur County

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

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

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