Here are the candidates we recommend in key Fort Worth-area primary elections
Early voting is coming to an end Friday, and Tarrant County is home to some of this election year’s most competitive primaries for Texas House and Congress.
We’ve interviewed and researched candidates in several contests, and here are our recommendations for both Democratic and Republican voters in key races.
U.S. SENATE
Democrats: Royce West is the most experienced of the 12 candidates in the race, with nearly three decades in the Texas Senate. With such a large field, a runoff is almost certain, and veteran MJ Hegar is a strong choice as well. But West is the party’s best bet in an uphill battle to unseat veteran Republican Sen. John Cornyn, who will cruise to the GOP nomination once again.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHey, who is behind these endorsements?
Members of the Editorial Board, which serves as the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s institutional voice, decide candidates and positions to recommend to voters. The members of the board are: Cynthia M. Allen, columnist; Steve Coffman, editor and president; Bud Kennedy, columnist; Ryan J. Rusak, opinion editor; and Nicole Russell, opinion writer.
Members of our Community Advisory Board may also participate in candidate interviews and offer their views, but they do not vote on which candidate to recommend.
Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
How does the process work?
The Editorial Board interviews candidates, asking about positions on issues, experience and qualifications, and how they would approach holding the office for which they are running. Board members do additional research on candidates’ backgrounds and the issues at hand. After that, members discuss the candidates and generally aim to arrive at a consensus, though not necessarily unanimity. All members contribute observations and ideas, so the resulting editorials represent the board’s view, not a particular writer.
How do partisanship and ideology factor in?
We’re not tied to one party or the other, and our positions on issues range across the ideological spectrum. We tend to prefer candidates who align with our previously stated positions, but qualifications, temperament and experience are important, too.
U.S. HOUSE
12th District, Republicans: Rep. Kay Granger may not be every conservative’s cup of tea, but her experience and clout in Congress are important to Fort Worth. Republicans should choose her over her challenger from the right, Chris Putnam.
12th District, Democrats: College professor Lisa Welch is better versed on the issues and has more potential to be competitive in a Republican district than aircraft assembly worker Danny Anderson.
24th District, Republicans: Former Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne is the most experienced and qualified of the five candidates in this race to replace retiring Rep. Kenny Marchant. It’s one of the most closely watched in the country.
24th District, Democrats: Air Force veteran Kim Olson is the best of six potential candidates in this purple district, able to reach across party lines, and we’re confident she’d be able to do that in Congress, too.
TEXAS HOUSE
District 92, Republicans: Former Bedford Mayor Jim Griffin has the local knowledge and connections to serve the needs of this district, where Rep. Jonathan Stickland is retiring. He faces two other Republicans.
District 92, Democrats: Lawyer Jeff Whitfield, who served in the Air Force and worked in the Legislature, has the experience needed to be an immediate player in the House. He faces businessman Steve Riddell.
District 97, Democrats: Lawyer Elizabeth Beck has the potential to be a leader in the House if Democrats win control, more so than rival Dan Willis, an opthamologist. The winner will face Rep. Craig Goldman, who has no primary opponent, to represent the southwest Tarrant County district.
This story was originally published February 18, 2020 at 5:06 AM.