In a recent development, evidence has emerged suggesting that Kardal Coleman, Chair of the Dallas County Democratic Party (DCDP), has engaged in defamation against two local Precinct Chairs, Keisha Nixon and Author Anderson. The two volunteers, both heavily involved in community work and voter registration, were shocked to learn that Coleman had been spreading false narratives about them.

Nixon stated, “Neither of us had ever met Kardal prior to receiving news from various sources that he was defaming us. It came as a total shock. The Chair of the ninth largest county-led party in the country is defaming people he has never even met. It’s almost unbelievable.”

The claims against Coleman involve accusations that he circulated messages describing Nixon and Anderson as “unbalanced,” further alleging that they had harassed an elected official and might even face a restraining order. Additionally, Coleman purportedly claimed that the two had been seen recording videos outside the home of DeSoto City Councilmember Crystal Chism, though he provided no motive for this alleged behavior.

Author Anderson shared a similar sentiment as Nixon, “I did not know he existed, so I had no idea why he would be spreading lies about me. I’ve done nothing to him.”

The allegations come at a time when both Nixon and Anderson have been vocal critics of local governance in DeSoto. Anderson launched the “Better Together Campaign for a BETTER DeSoto” in August 2024, a movement calling for systemic reforms to benefit all residents. Anderson’s campaign has pushed for systemic changes in transparency, integrity, and accountability, including reforms around policing and public safety.

Anderson stated, “On August 20, 2024, I addressed the City Council regarding evidence that suggests Crystal Chism and her friend and neighbor, Elma Goodwin, have a pattern of weaponizing the police against individuals they dislike. I presented documentation from DeSoto Police Department Case #DE2407287, where Crystal Chism had someone arrested, yet the case disposition reads, ‘UNFOUNDED – OFFENSE DID NOT OCCUR.’ Now, it seems Councilmember Crystal Chism is also weaponizing the Dallas County Democratic Party, enlisting its Chair, Kardal Coleman, to defame Precinct Chairs—volunteers who have done nothing wrong.”

Nixon, a survivor of domestic abuse, has also been outspoken about corruption within DeSoto, following her own legal battles with the city’s police department. Nixon began a Recall effort in early 2024, aiming to remove ineffective City Council Members from office. The Recall Petitions are actively collecting signatures. She claims Coleman’s actions are also linked to his ties with individuals she has had legal conflicts with in the past. Nixon said, “Coleman associates with convicted felons yet has the audacity to attempt to portray me as a threat to society.”

Both Nixon and Anderson have highlighted a troubling pattern of leadership failure in DeSoto, particularly in the City Council’s refusal to address questions and concerns. Anderson has specifically called for the elimination of DeSoto’s Citizen Police Advisory Committee (CPAC) in favor of an independent oversight office, a proposal that Councilmember Chism, its liaison, has opposed.

Anderson went on to say, “According to the report from Kardal, it appears that Crystal Chism was planning to concoct another lie to have us “put on a restraining order” for no other reason than she is retaliating against us for telling the truth and exercising our First Amendment rights at the City Council meetings. I have never uttered a single word to Crystal Chism that is not documented on the public record at the City Council meetings or in emails to her about the CPAC. That is the extent of my communication with her.”

Further compounding the situation, Nixon and Anderson are actively involved in voter registration efforts in Dallas County and neighboring Ellis County. Anderson has coordinated events aimed at registering eligible high school students and helping voters access transportation to polling places.

The pair allege that Chism’s defamation is a form of retaliation against them for their public criticisms of DeSoto’s leadership. A list of organizations and funders, including the Democratic National Committee and the Texas Democratic Party, have been notified of the situation. Nixon added, “Her actions as an elected official set a very poor example for the youth in DeSoto. It also reflects negatively on the people who endorsed her.”

Chism has been previously endorsed by Senator Royce West, State Board of Education Member Aicha Davis, Former Mayor Bobby Waddle, Pastor Marcus King, Commissioner John Wiley Price, and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett.

As the accusations continue to unfold, Anderson and Nixon have called on the DeSoto City Council to take action, including censure against Chism for her alleged involvement in weaponizing the police and defaming residents.

The outcome of this controversy remains uncertain, but Nixon and Anderson remain resolute in their efforts to bring about positive change in DeSoto and to hold both city and party officials accountable for their actions. As new information emerges and the situation evolves, this story is developing, revealing unexpected twists and turns with each passing moment. The narrative is taking shape gradually, with key details still being uncovered, leading to a fuller picture that is yet to be fully understood.