Political Consultant Charged: Accused of Making Threats Against Texas City Commission Candidate UPDATED 10:26 AM: With response from Rivera. Bryan Rivera, a former City of Texas City emergency management employee turned political consultant, faces a criminal charge of attempting to influence the Texas City Commissioner District 2 race by making threats against candidate David Zacherl. Zacherl, the city’s former fire chief, is running against Barbie Tucker for the seat. Rivera, who lives and runs his firm Texas Hometown Solutions in Liberty Hill, faces a Class A Misdemeanor Charge of “Coercion Against Candidacy.” While warrant details weren’t immediately available, Rivera is accused of trying to intimidate Zacherl to either drop out or not run for office. Zacherl did not respond to a request for comment. “I have never made a threat against David Zacherl,” Rivera said when questioned about the charge. He also said no law enforcement agency had reached out to him about the allegation and that he had not been formally notified about the charge. “The police department has my number, same number for 23 years,” Rivera said. “I was not hired to help anyone in this race in Texas City. Staying out of this one.” Rivera’s firm is also at the center of a criminal investigation into its handling of a mayoral recall effort in Texas City. In a divided election seen as a referendum on Mayor Dedrick Johnson’s administration, especially his handling of complaints from members of the Texas City Municipal Police Association against police department leadership, the District 2 race holds a potential super majority shift for the city commission. Commissioner Keith Love, a Pearland police officer who didn’t seek re-election because he is attempting to earn a law degree, was one of the three commissioners critical of Johnson’s handling of the police department issues. With many of those votes ending in a 4-3 split (Love, District 3 Commissioner Chris Sharp and At-Large Commissioner and mayoral candidate Abel Garza.) Zacherl is considered a pro-City Hall candidate and has been a target of Johnson detractors. Tucker is considered an anti-Johnson administration candidate and was endorsed by the TCMPA in the election. However, TCMPA President Rachel Spahr said the association has no ties to Rivera or his firm. “TCMPA does not talk with him, but we never really had ties to him,” she said. “He was definitely never hired through us.” Tucker said while Rivera offered to help her campaign, she declined the offer. “I heard through the grapevine that he is not a good person,” Tucker said. “He wanted to door knock for me, but I told him I didn't need any (door knockers).” Rivera has already been a lightning rod in Texas City politics. Although he wouldn’t say who hired his firm, Rivera was retained to help gather signatures for the failed mayoral recall petition in Texas City. A criminal investigation into that petition continues, as it was found that one deceased person somehow signed the petition three months after she died. Investigators are also investigating complaints from others who claim their names appeared on the petition even though they insist they did not participate. Rivera was not in custody as of Tuesday (4/28/2026) morning.

Posted by i45NOW TJ Aulds at 2026-04-28 14:08:15 UTC