Dallas Republican Says that Another Candidate’s Pressure Tactics May Have Broken the Law

Politics has long been rife with corruption, coercion, and behind-the-scenes pressure that voters rarely see. While major scandals often dominate headlines, it is frequently the quieter interactions, like closed-door meetings and pressure campaigns that reveal how power actually operates. These moments matter because they show how politicians behave when they believe the public is not watching.

Such conduct is not uncommon. Candidates are regularly urged to “wait their turn”, encouraged to step aside for “the good of the party”, or told that future opportunities will be available if they clear the field for a preferred contender. These tactics are often dismissed as politics as usual, but they raise serious questions about character and political process.

Voters deserve to know what happens behind the scenes, because those actions often say more about a candidate than campaign speeches or carefully crafted policy statements.

Those questions have come into focus in Texas’ 33rd Congressional District, where Dallas conservative activist John Sims says he was pressured by another Republican candidate to abandon his campaign before the filing deadline.

Sims is running for Congress in TX-33, a district that is now entirely within Dallas County following redistricting. Sims has lived in the district for years and is the only Republican candidate who resides within the boundaries of the current TX-33 district.

Sims previously ran for Dallas City Council to gain experience and familiarity with the political process, acknowledging that Republicans face steep challenges in the district. Despite those odds, Sims said he decided to run for Congress because he believes Republican voters deserve a real choice in the primary.

According to Sims, the pressure began on December 6 at a Dallas County Republican fundraiser, where he met Republican candidate Kurt Schwab. Schwab previously ran for the same congressional seat in the prior election cycle, and lives in neighboring Tarrant County, according to voting records obtained by ALM.

Sims said Schwab approached him told him directly that he could not win.

“Sorry to break it to you, but you don’t have a chance of winning,” Sims recalled Schwab saying. “[Schwab] said that he’s been campaigning for over a year and has 80 endorsements.”

Schwab then allegedly pressured Sims to drop out of the race and not file for a place on the ballot. When Sims mentioned that Schwab had previously lost to the eventual Republican nominee Patrick Gillespie in 2024, he became irate.

“That guy didn’t do anything,” Schwab lambasted, “he didn’t have a website, he didn’t do any meet and greets.”

“If he didn’t do anything, and he beat you,” John Sims responded, “then I could probably beat you.”

Sims told ALM that in spite of the pressure to drop out, he was reinvigorated after the conversation with Schwab. “If you tell me that I can’t do something, I might just do it to prove you wrong.”

The following day, December 7, Sims received a text message from Schwab urging him not to file for the race and instead join Schwab’s campaign. Sims provided American Liberty Media with screenshots of the message, which reads in full:

“Hi John,

Kurt Schwab, I know I left a message but I wanted to bring in my Deputy Campaign Manager Laura Ferring who you met last night and my Campaign Manager Ola Hawatmeh who we also mentioned last night. We wanted to reenforce what we discussed, it would benefit the Dallas GOP if you didn’t file and you joined our team. By doing this we will help connect you with the right people you’ll need when you run for city council again. We will give you the support and connections you’ll need. By you joining our team this ensures that all republican votes will help knockout the Democrat in the general election.

We want to help you in the long run!

As mentioned last night I have major endorsements, around 70 endorsements total and around 60 volunteers, plus connections in DC. I have support from all across the country, if this Gillespie guy has filed, you would be a part of us getting rid of him.

You would be a very important part of our team and everyone is looking forward to you joining our team!

Kurt & team”

Sims said the message was sent before he had officially entered the race.

“This is before I paid my money and actually filed to run,” Sims said.

After receiving the message, Sims responded by asking for clarification about what role was being offered and what future support would entail. He said Schwab attempted to move the discussion off text and onto phone calls.

“I didn’t answer because I want everything in writing,” Sims said.

December 8 was the filing deadline. Sims said that after he informed Schwab by text that he had decided to file, Schwab immediately called him.

“As soon as I sent that text out my phone was ringing,” Sims said. “He was cursing at me and screaming ‘why’d you f-ing file?’”

Sims said he declined to engage further and proceeded with his campaign. When asked what he believed the purpose of the outreach was, Sims was direct.

“I think he’s just trying to eliminate as much competition as possible,” Sims said.

The Sims campaign issued a statement on their Facebook page on the incident, indicating that they had filed complaints with the appropriate authorities, and that an investigation was underway to determine whether Schwab’s conduct broke any laws.

Offering something of value in exchange for a candidate dropping out of a race may violate federal and state election laws, including 18 U.S. Code § 600 and Section 36.02 of the Texas Election Code, which prohibit the exchange of or offer for benefits for political action. Such cases are rarely prosecuted, but the statutes exist to prevent precisely this kind of conduct.

American Liberty Media reached out to Kurt Schwab for comment regarding Sims’ allegations.

When asked directly, “Did you offer to help him run for another office if he dropped out of the district 33 race?” Schwab responded, “No.”

Schwab was then asked a follow-up question referencing his own text message, and asking how having less choices on the ballot would be good for Republicans in Dallas. He declined to answer and ended the call. He did not respond to further requests for comment.

The exchange highlights a broader concern about how political contests are sometimes shaped long before ballots are cast. Primary elections exist to allow voters to choose among competing candidates and ideas. When pressure is applied privately to narrow the field, it raises questions about whose interests are truly being served.

Regardless of where voters stand on the candidates or the outcome of the race, the conduct surrounding it provides insight into how political power is exercised behind the scenes. Those moments, often dismissed as politics as usual, can offer voters a clearer picture of the character and judgment of those seeking to represent them.

NOTE: American Liberty Media has chosen to include links to the campaign websites for each candidate mentioned in this article. They are linked below:

• John Sims

• Kurt Schwab

• Patrick Gillespie

The Republican primary for the seat will be held on March 3, 2026, with early voting scheduled for February 17 through February 27. There are four Republican candidates on the ballot.