PRESS RELEASE: Dallas Congressional Candidate Files Federal Equal Time Demands Against Six North Texas Broadcast Stations

CBS 11, NBC 5, FOX 4, WFAA, KERA, and Spectrum News 1 Formally Accused of Interviewing Only Democratic Candidates While Ignoring Republican Race Entirely

Dallas Congressional Candidate John Sims with his Family

DALLAS, TX — Republican congressional candidate John Sims, a former firefighter/EMT running in Texas's 33rd Congressional District, today formally demanded equal broadcast time from six North Texas television and radio stations under 47 U.S.C. § 315, the federal Equal Opportunities law, after each station conducted on-air interviews with Democratic candidates while providing zero coverage of the Republican primary.

Sims sent formal legal demand letters to the general managers of CBS 11 (KTVT), NBC 5 (KXAS), FOX 4 (KDFW), WFAA (ABC 8), KERA (NPR Dallas), and Spectrum News 1 Texas — six of the region's most prominent broadcast outlets — demanding immediate equal airtime, full disclosure of all prior candidate appearances, and documentation of any claimed bona fide news exemptions under FCC rules.

"Every one of these stations found time to sit down with Democratic congressional candidates — some interviewed all four of them — while completely ignoring the Republican primary in a race that directly affects hundreds of thousands of Dallas residents," said Sims. "I'm a life long resident, I have lived, worked an served this community. I deserve the same microphone they handed to the career politicians from the Democratic Party. Federal law agrees with me."

THE DOCUMENTED VIOLATIONS

CBS 11's Eye on Politics program, hosted by veteran political reporter Jack Fink, aired a segment on February 15, 2026 in which all four Democratic candidates — Colin Allred, Julie Johnson, Zeeshan Hafeez, and Carlos Quintanilla — were individually interviewed on camera and asked why voters should support them. No Republican candidates for the same seat were contacted or interviewed. Sims filed his initial demand with CBS 11 on February 17, 2026 — within the seven-day window required by federal law.

NBC 5's Lone Star Politics program has featured multiple on-air interviews with both Allred and Johnson. FOX 4 conducted video interviews with Democratic candidates. WFAA's Inside Texas Politics has provided extensive coverage of the Democratic field. KERA published a voter guide featuring only Democratic candidates. Spectrum News 1 aired on-camera interviews with Democratic candidates on February 12, 2026.

In every case, the Republican primary — which includes four candidates legally qualified candidates — was ignored entirely.

WHO IS JOHN SIMS

John Sims is a lifelong resident who has served the community for over three decades as a firefighter/EMT, A former youth baseball Coach of the Year (2012) and 10-year board member of Dallas Youth Baseball, Sims served as a Dallas CERT volunteer during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and has deep roots across the district's diverse communities — the same communities the 33rd Congressional District was drawn to represent.

Sims is running a zero-budget, grassroots campaign against three primary opponents who have collectively lost six previous races for this same congressional seat. His platform centers on capping family healthcare costs at $12,000 annually, restructuring mortgage amortization to protect working-class homeowners, and eliminating federal taxes on retirement benefits.

"My opponents are transplants who have never won an election in this district," said Sims. "I was born here. I raised my family here. I have served here. The voters of TX-33 deserve to hear from all the candidates — and the law says the media has to give them that chance."

THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT

Under 47 U.S.C. § 315 and FCC Rule 73.1941, when a broadcast station provides airtime to a legally qualified candidate for public office, it must provide equal opportunities to all other legally qualified candidates for the same office upon request. Sims is a legally qualified candidate appearing on the March 3, 2026 Republican primary ballot for TX-33. Each documented Democratic candidate interview constitutes a "use" that triggers this requirement.

Sims has requested that each station provide: equal on-air time in equivalent time slots; the same interview format extended to Democratic candidates; full disclosure of all prior candidate appearances since January 1, 2026; and documentation of any claimed bona fide news exemptions. Stations have one week to respond. Failure to comply will result in formal FCC complaints.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Sims has already filed an informal complaint with the Federal Communications Commission against CBS 11. Additional complaints against the remaining five stations will be filed should they fail to respond within the required timeframe. Formal FCC complaints carry a $540 filing fee and create a public record that can result in sanctions, fines, or license review proceedings against non-compliant stations.

"The voters of this district are going to the polls right now during early voting," said Sims. "They have the right to hear from every candidate — Republican and Democrat. Six stations decided they didn't. Federal law says that's not acceptable, and I intend to hold every one of them accountable."

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For interviews, press credentials, or additional information, contact:

John Sims | John@votejohnsims.com | www.votejohnsims.com

Republican Candidate, U.S. House of Representatives, Texas's 33rd Congressional District