Brittany Black Pushes Back as Richardson Targets Her Past in HD61 Race

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews

For most of the general election, Rep. Keresa Richardson barely mentioned Brittany Black. That changed Sept. 28, when Richardson began highlighting her Democratic challenger’s past, followed by a new campaign graphic focused on Black’s criminal and court history.

She is not denying that some of those events happened. She disputes how Richardson is using them.

“I don’t dispute that certain events occurred,” Black told TX3DNews. “My disagreement is with how those events are being characterized, the context being omitted, and the conclusions people are being encouraged to draw.”

Black says there is more to the story

Richardson’s Sept. 28 posts pointed to a police pursuit, felony cocaine-possession plea and later DUI case. Her newer campaign graphic also says Black was “convicted of drunk driving.”

Black said the issue is not scrutiny, but how her past is being presented.

“They’re seeing selected pieces of my life, some dating back more than 20 years, presented without the context necessary to understand what actually happened or who I am today,” she said. “I’ve never claimed to be perfect. I’ve made mistakes.”

She pointed to nearly two decades since then in technology, education, business ownership and work supporting federal agencies, and said some assumptions about her past also ignore personal circumstances, including her experience as a survivor of domestic violence.

“There’s a difference between presenting facts and constructing a narrative by selectively omitting everything that doesn’t support it,” Black said.

Why go on the attack now?

Richardson’s move also stands out among the major local races TX3DNews has followed, where Republican incumbents have largely avoided making their Democratic opponents a direct focus.

She appeared Sept. 26 at Texas Faith Fest during a “Don’t Sharia My Texas” panel, saying, “The more uncomfortable they are, the better,” during discussion of Muslim religious practices. Sarah Fields published her investigation of Black the next day, and Richardson amplified it Sept. 28.

Black said the timing raises questions.

“From my perspective, it looks like an attempt to redirect the conversation away from her own statements and record and toward attacks on me,” she said.

She said the Faith Fest remarks still matter because they raise questions about how an elected official represents people of different faiths.

“Questions about an incumbent’s public statements on religious freedom deserve substantive answers,” Black said. “Those questions don’t become irrelevant simply because the campaign begins discussing an opponent’s personal history.”

Black said she does not know Richardson’s motive.

“I don’t know whether the change in campaign messaging was intended to shift attention,” she said. “But I believe voters are entitled to examine both candidates’ records, statements, and approaches to protecting constitutional rights.”

Richardson’s 2024 race offers another comparison

During Richardson’s 2024 Republican primary challenge to then-Rep. Frederick Frazier, his legal case also became part of the campaign. Frazier pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor impersonation charges and received deferred adjudication before those charges were dismissed. He separately pleaded guilty to criminal mischief.

Richardson defeated Frazier in the runoff. The earlier race offers a comparison as Richardson again makes an opponent’s past part of the campaign.

Black says compare the whole record

Black said candidates should be scrutinized, but that scrutiny should be “accurate, proportional, and relevant.”

She said voters should compare qualifications, legislative records and leadership styles, pointing to her technology background and what she called a different generational perspective.

“My opponent has a legislative record, and that record should be examined just as thoroughly,” Black said.

She cited Richardson’s record on private-school vouchers, reproductive healthcare, property taxes, infrastructure, religious liberty and growth. Black also said campaign finance and accessibility should be part of that comparison.

“Receiving a campaign contribution does not, by itself, establish improper influence,” she said. “But transparency and accountability are essential to maintaining public trust.”

“The comparison should be about our complete records and how we approach public service, not simply a collection of personal incidents presented without context,” Black said.

Black said she would welcome a public forum or town hall to compare records and policy positions directly.

What Black says the race should be about

Black said the campaign should focus on the pressures facing HD61 residents now, starting with affordability.

“It should be about affordability,” she said, citing rising costs for housing, groceries, utilities, insurance and healthcare. “Homeowners are worried about property taxes, and renters are struggling to keep up with increasing expenses.”

She also pointed to public education, reproductive healthcare, infrastructure, the electric grid and planning for continued growth.

“I’ve spent my career fixing broken systems,” Black said. “That’s what I know how to do, and it’s a major reason I decided to run for office.”

She said she wants to bring that experience, along with “a willingness to listen and a different perspective,” into public service.

“This election should be an opportunity to have serious conversations about those issues and what each candidate proposes to do about them,” Black said.

Editor’s note: Richardson was asked about the new attacks, the DUI wording, the timing and similarities to her 2024 race against Frazier. This story will be updated if she responds.