By Rita Cook
Correspondent
Texas Metro News
DESOTO – Carl O. Sherman was no stranger to politics when he took his freshman trip to Austin back in January 2019.
He knew he was following in impressive footsteps, moving into the seat that former State Rep. Helen Giddings had vacated when she chose not to run again after sitting in the District 109 seat from 1993 to 2019.
Sherman represented District 109 for three terms, saying goodbye to Austin in early January, after choosing not to run for a fourth term.
Prior to his time as a state representative, Sherman had served as the 20th mayor of DeSoto from 2010 to 2016 when he termed out in that city.
A notable part of the former lawmaker’s career also included the roles of City Manager in Hutchins and Ferris, Texas.
During his political journey, he has remained steadfast as a preacher in the Best Southwest area of Dallas County.
While there have certainly been some memorable moments during his career, he said he believed his greatest accomplishment as a state representative was sitting on the Appropriations Committee.
“I spent the majority of my time in the Texas House on the Appropriations Committee and believe that the appropriations of more than $10 billion dollars increase for public education was a moral win in 2019.”
He said even now he encourages lawmakers to continue to do more.
Of course, Sherman is also well-known for his passionate pursuit of public safety. He saw the successful passage of the Botham Jean Act HB929 law, which requires all law enforcement to activate their body cameras at the start of investigations and maintain recording until the investigation has concluded.
“This piece of legislation was opposed by all police agencies with the exception of the Texas Sheriff’s Association,” he added. “Despite the murder of George Floyd only two legislative bills out of more than 300 police reform bills filed; including eliminating choke hold or eliminating the ability to arrest someone for not turning on their signal light to turn.”
There were also surprises for Sherman during his six years in Austin.
“The recalcitrant response of the majority of the participating voters to want sensible and standard background checks concerning gun ownership,” he explained, was a shocking surprise to him. “That includes voting for representatives who disapprove of placing any restrictions or sensible background checks.”
Sherman said as a gun owner he was disappointed that the state’s “one party rule allows even those who have mental issues to buy a gun.
“As a former rural and small town city manager, it pains me to know that every time our police officers go out on a call, they are out gunned by individuals that purchased a gun without having to even register the gun, much less get a license or training. For those of us who are responsible gun owners we just want responsible legislation. We do everything possible to protect our families in our homes with responsible gun practice and we only wish that we had responsible legislation too to protect our children when we send them to school.”
While he is still unsure of his next move after life in Austin working for his District 109 constituents he said when asked what next?
“Only God knows and I am anxious for nothing,” he responded. “While I do not like politics, I love Jesus and working on neighborly policy that helps working people.”
For now, he said he is convinced God is not finished with him in the political arena. “That said, I will continue to do the work until God gives me my next assignment in the political field,” Sherman concluded. “I know whatever it is I will be fighting for the working class.”
