Southlake Republican Zee Wilcox Removed from Texas House Primary Over Filing Error, Alleges Political Conspiracy
A Republican candidate from Southlake, Texas, has been declared ineligible for the March 2026 primary ballot in a contested Texas House race, sparking allegations of a conspiracy from the candidate herself.
The Texas State Capitol in Austin, where state legislative decisions are made.
Zee Wilcox, a small business owner who immigrated from communist Czechoslovakia and became a U.S. citizen, was one of three Republicans vying for House District 98. The district includes parts of Southlake, Colleyville, Grapevine, Keller, Westlake, and Euless. Incumbent Giovanni Capriglione is not seeking reelection.
Wilcox filed her candidacy on December 8, 2025—the filing deadline—paying the $750 fee, with her application notarized and initially accepted. However, she used the wrong form: one intended for federal candidates instead of state office seekers.
The Republican Party elephant symbol, representing GOP candidates in elections.
On December 16, a precinct chair challenged her candidacy. Tarrant County GOP Chair Tim Davis, elected in November 2025, later ruled her ineligible, stating her application did not comply with statutory requirements.
Wilcox appealed the decision and accused Davis of spreading false information about her. She claims this is part of a broader conspiracy by powerful Tarrant County Republicans to block her campaign and prevent her from winning the seat.
“This was not the result of some vast conspiracy, despite whatever Mrs. Wilcox wants to allege," Davis responded in a statement. "Instead, it’s the outcome of choices she made with her filing. The rule of law matters... and election integrity begins with the very first step."
A scenic view in Southlake, Texas, home to candidate Zee Wilcox.
Wilcox has escalated the matter by asking the Texas Secretary of State’s Office to intervene. She sought to correct the filing error but received no response to her requests.
The remaining GOP candidates are Armin Mizani, mayor of Keller, and Fred Tate, a Colleyville businessman.
A Texas ballot box, symbolizing the election process at the heart of the dispute.
This incident highlights strict filing rules in Texas primaries and ongoing tensions within the Republican Party ahead of the 2026 elections.
Story based on reports from January 8-9, 2026.
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