CRISWELL OBTAINS CHALLENGER

GRANBURY, TX – Nate Criswell, a US Navy veteran and local Republican activist, announced his candidacy for Hood County Commissioner, Pct. 3 a mere seven days ago. As conservative leader in Hood County politics, Criswell is accustomed to outlandish and far reaching attacks, “If you’re taking flack, you are over the target,” he said.

Criswell knew that he would undoubtedly receive an opponent in this race. What he didn’t expect was an opponent who can’t hold political office; the Hood County News (HCN).

“My first opponent has announced; The Hood County News will be running against me in the upcoming election.”

At around 5PM on Wednesday October 9th, HCN Editor Roger Enlow and self-proclaimed journalist Kathy Cruz made a call to Sheriff Roger Deeds and threatened him with a hit piece, that is, unless he un-endorsed Criswell in his bid for County Commissioner. “Sheriff, with your endorsement, Nathan will win his election, and that will be another bad person in office,” Kathy impatiently stated to Sheriff Deeds. “Call me by tomorrow morning and I will leave you (Sheriff Deeds) out of the story.”

Sheriff Deeds expressed concern with the troubling phone call and was moved to ensure that the people of Hood County knew what kind of games the local paper was playing in an effort to misinform readers for their own personal and political gain. “At best, this is editorial abuse,” Sheriff Deeds said. “It is very unfortunate and I am very disappointed.”

Perhaps the most damning piece of information that was divulged during the call was the method by which the HCN planned to take Criswell out with. Criswell and his now ex-wife, like many of us, struggled for a period of time. In the moment, allegations are made, feelings are hurt, and suffering occurs. It is a scenario that no couple wants to face, especially with children.

“I have dedicated my life to my children. My ex-wife Jeanny and I are moving forward with our lives, and are fully committed to lovingly co-parenting our daughters. We have agreed to not respond to questions about our divorce or related matters, for it has no credence on my ability to help the people Hood County,” Criswell stated. “There is no need for this to be rehashed. I unequivocally disavow the Hood County News for their unethical and potentially criminal actions in their attempt to sway the results of an election by the people,” Criswell concluded.”

Statement from Hood County News:

“The Hood County News rebuts Commissioners Court candidate Nathan Criswell’s claims about a threatened “hit piece” against Sheriff Roger Deeds. The newspaper contacted Deeds late Wednesday about his public endorsement of the former Republican Party chair, who is currently under a protective order related to a family violence incident. In relation to the incident, Criswell did not testify, and was not charged with a crime.”

Hood County News goes on to describe the night of the incident in detail. This has been omitted, as there were no charges, is not seen as relevant in this article.

According to Hood County News, “Deeds told the HCN in an email sent Thursday morning that “after further investigation I will not be supporting Nathan Criswell.” Late Friday morning or early afternoon, Deeds’ endorsement of Criswell was removed from Deeds’ Facebook page. The HCN had planned no article about the Deeds endorsement for its Saturday issue. The newspaper was in the process of reaching out to two other law enforcement-related individuals whom Criswell said had endorsed him.”

“Friday morning, Criswell posted on his Facebook page what appeared to be a press release stating that his 2020 challenger for the Precinct 3 seat on the Commissioners Court was the Hood County News. The release stated that Enlow and Cruz had threatened Deeds with a “hit piece” if he did not pull his endorsement of Criswell.”

Hood County News states, “That allegation is untrue.”

Hood County News goes on to say, “Criswell claimed that Cruz “impatiently” told Deeds to “call me by tomorrow morning and I will leave you out of the story.” That did not happen either. Enlow said that it was he, not Cruz, who asked Deeds to call Cruz the next morning to let her know his decision.

“We feel that we have long had a good relationship with Roger Deeds and we called him out of concern that the sheriff was endorsing a candidate who had a history of family violence allegations,” said Enlow.

The editor said that he had received a phone call from a concerned citizen minutes before making the call to Deeds and that the citizen was angry about the endorsement. “We knew that if the sheriff remained committed to his endorsement of Criswell into the upcoming filing period and subsequent primary season, it would be something we would need to report,” Enlow said.

He further noted: “It is interesting that Criswell phoned me earlier in the week, before the Deeds situation arose, to ask for my support in his campaign.”

In regards to conflicting information on his endorsement, we received a statement from Sheriff Roger Deeds:

“Yesterday the sheriffs office records looked like there was a case still working against Nathan. I sent that e-mail because I felt like I should not be involved until it was settled. I then found out the records were not updated and it was all over and done with so I do endorse Nathan Criswell, sorry for any confusion.

Sheriff Roger Deeds”