Why Democratic hopefuls think they can flip this Fort Worth-area congressional district
As the Republican race for the 12th Congressional District takes center stage, two Democrats quietly are fighting for their own party’s nomination for the seat.
The district has long been represented by U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, and she faces challenger Chris Putnam in the March 3 primary.
On the other hand, Fort Worth professor and scientist Lisa Welch and Fort Worth aircraft assembler Danny Anderson are seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination in order to challenge the Republican victor in November.
“As a scientist and educator, the outright denial of scientific facts by this administration and its supporters was the driving factor for me to run for Congress,” said Welch, a 51-year-old first-time political candidate from Decatur. “Science denial in climate change, vaccinations and reproductive biology ... has not only influenced national policy but has emboldened states to create laws based on fallacies.”
Anderson, who served on the White Settlement City Council for four terms, said he is running for office to help others.
“I want to continue working to make life better for people who don’t have the advantages others might have,” the 61-year-old Fort Worth man said. “I have always had a piece missing in my life not being able to serve in the military, was turned down by all branches due to medical issue. And I feel like I’m making a difference serving my fellow Americans this way.”
At stake in this race is a two-year term that pays $174,000. The district includes the western part of Tarrant County, all of Parker County and the eastern part of Wise County. Early voting runs from Feb. 18-28.
The 12th
Granger, a 76-year-old former Fort Worth mayor, teacher and insurance agent, has represented the 12th Congressional District since 1997. Now the ranking member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, she is seeking a 13th term and is the only Republican woman representing Texas in Congress.
She won re-election in 2018 by claiming 64% of the vote against Democrat Vanessa Adia.
Before Granger held the post, the district was represented by a Democrat: Pete Geren, who served from September 1989 until Jan. 3, 1997. And before Geren, Jim Wright — who ultimately became the 48th speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives — represented the district from 1955 to 1989.
Granger is the first Republican to represent the district since at least 1900.
If elected, Welch said her top three policy priorities would be health care, climate change and women’s “absolute right to control when and if they have children.”
Anderson said his top priorities would be preserving women’s “rights to decide on medical issues,” protect the environment and reducing the deficit.
Time for change?
Anderson and Welch believe 2020 is the year the district can flip back to Democrats.
Anderson said that’s due to two factors: “The amount of new people moving here from the West and East coast and ... Rep. Granger has some serious issues to answer to her constituents about.”
Welch elaborated about the Granger concerns.
“The incumbent has been a career politician for 23 years and has become a representative of the party and the current president, not the constituents of her district,” she said. “She has used the office to benefit her family leaving the people of the city Fort Worth to deal with the failed Panther Island project. She refuses to hold open town halls, repeatedly turns down requests for meetings, and has hidden behind her staff.
“We did not elect her staff, and if she is too afraid to meet with the people she represents, it is time for someone else.”
This story was originally published February 4, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
