Democrat Ericka Lomick suspended her campaign for Texas House District 93 on Monday after questions emerged about a federal felony conviction that could affect her eligibility under Texas law. The Tarrant County-based district is scheduled to appear on the November ballot, along with a special election for the remainder of former state Rep. Nate Schatzline’s term.

Lomick’s campaign acknowledged that questions had arisen over whether she could serve as the district’s representative. In announcing the suspension, Lomick said she believed stepping aside was the right decision for the district and that she wanted voters to be able to elect someone without the controversy surrounding her candidacy.

The controversy followed opposition research released Sept. 17 by the Protect and Serve Texas PAC concerning Lomick’s criminal record. Federal court records identified her at the time as Ericka Flood and show that she was charged in 2010 in connection with a North Carolina mortgage-fraud investigation. She pleaded guilty in 2011 and received concurrent federal prison sentences, including a 63-month term.

Texas law generally bars someone with a final felony conviction from becoming a candidate for public office unless the person has been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities of the conviction. The Texas Secretary of State specifically states that completing a felony sentence does not automatically restore eligibility to run for office and that qualifying candidates must provide documentation of a pardon, judicial clemency, or restoration of civil rights.

The scrutiny also focused on Lomick’s previous public statements about her criminal history. The source material reports that she previously told the Fort Worth Report she had never been convicted of a crime in any state, while her candidate application reportedly indicated that she had not been convicted of a felony. Texas election guidance states that knowingly providing false information about felony-conviction status on a candidate application is a Class B misdemeanor.

The Protect and Serve Texas PAC also alleged that a $300,000 federal lien connected to restitution from the earlier case was filed against Lomick in Tarrant County in January 2024. The Dallas Express reported that it had not independently verified the lien's current status.

Lomick won the Democratic nomination without opposition in March, receiving 14,140 votes. Republican Alan Blaylock, a former Fort Worth city councilman, remains in the race. With Lomick suspending her campaign, the contest has been altered substantially, although the November election and the separate special election will proceed under the state's election schedule.