Harris County Treasurer Faces Third Arrest Amid Reelection Bid

Latest DWI Arrest Compounds Legal Woes

Harris County Treasurer Carla Wyatt found herself behind bars again this weekend, arrested in Texas City on Saturday on a DWI charge and later released on a $3,000 bond . The arrest marks Wyatt's second DWI arrest and her third arrest since taking office as Harris County Treasurer , raising serious questions about her fitness to manage the county's finances during an active reelection campaign.

It's the second time Wyatt has been accused of driving while intoxicated during her tenure as the Harris County treasurer after she was arrested in 2023 for allegedly having a blood-alcohol concentration of at least .15%, nearly twice the legal limit . That charge was dismissed in August last year after Wyatt completed a pretrial diversion program . The pattern of repeat offenses has caught the attention of both county officials and voters as November's election approaches.

Previous Burglary Charges Add to Controversy

The latest arrest also comes months after Wyatt was arrested in Harris County last December and charged with burglary of a motor vehicle. Houston police accused Wyatt of trying to break into someone's vehicle outside the Forget Me Not bar on Washington Avenue . The incident involved allegations that she opened an unlocked minivan and got inside without permission.

That case was later no-billed by a Harris County grand jury, meaning jurors declined to move forward with criminal charges . Despite the dismissal, the arrest added to growing concerns about Wyatt's conduct while serving in a position that requires managing millions in taxpayer funds. The Harris County Treasurer is the chief custodian of all Harris County funds. The Treasurer's Office receives and deposits all monies received in the county's depository bank .

County Officials Move to Limit Treasurer's Role

Earlier this year, Harris County Commissioners Court unanimously voted to move some financial responsibilities out of the Treasurer's Office. During the February meeting, Commissioner Adrian Garcia cited "some concerns found" as part of the reason for the move . The decision represents a significant vote of no confidence in Wyatt's leadership during her first term.

Commissioners also discussed making the elimination of the Harris County Treasurer's Office a legislative priority for the 2027 Texas legislative session. That effort to eliminate the office would need a constitutional amendment which requires approval from both the Texas Legislature and voters . This unprecedented move suggests county leadership views the current situation as more than just isolated incidents.

Election Continues Despite Legal Troubles

The county treasurer, elected in 2022, is set to be on the ballot again in November after she did not have any challengers in the Democratic primary election in March. Marc Cowart won the Republican nomination for the seat . Under Texas law, a pending misdemeanor case does not prevent a candidate from remaining on the ballot or holding office .

The string of arrests creates an unusual situation where voters will decide whether to retain an elected official who has faced multiple criminal charges while in office. With county commissioners already moving to strip powers from the treasurer's office and potentially eliminate it entirely, the November election may determine not just who holds the position, but whether it continues to exist in its current form. KPRC 2 went to Wyatt's home Sunday seeking comment, but no one answered the door .