Election Day voters, here are our recommendations in top Tarrant County races
To look at Texas’ record-shattering early voting turnout, it’s almost hard to believe that millions more will go to the polls Tuesday.
But they will, adding to the more than 9.7 million who have cast their ballots already. More than half the state’s registered voters have already participated, and when Election Day is added in, Texas may break all of its turnout records.
In Tarrant County, voters can still weigh in on everything from the presidency to their local school boards, thanks to the delay of local elections caused by the coronavirus. We’re a closely watched county this year, competitive up and down the ballot. Our Editorial Board interviewed candidates in the hottest races; here are our recommendations:
U.S. Senate: Democrat MJ Hegar is giving Republican Sen. John Cornyn his strongest challenge as he seeks a fourth term. Hegar has shown many admirable qualities in her campaign and has potential to be an effective lawmaker. But Cornyn has represented Texas well and has a chance to be a key leader on compromises that lawmakers must make on the budget, immigration and more.
Sixth Congressional District: This district, stretching across much of south Tarrant County and southeast to Navarro County, benefits from the bipartisan work and experience of Rep. Ron Wright. Though just a freshman, the Arlington Republican has found a way to be effective in the House GOP minority. Opponent Stephen Daniel is a sensible moderate Democrat but lacks the experience needed for the job.
24th Congressional District: In one of the most hotly contested House races in the country, Republican Beth Van Duyne is a better option than Democrat Candace Valenzuela of Dallas. Van Duyne’s experience collaborating across the region as Irving mayor would give her a head start in the sprawling suburban district. The winner will replace retiring Republican Rep. Kenny Marchant.
Texas House District 92: Democrat Jeff Whitfield, an Arlington lawyer, once served as a legislative aide to a longtime state senator, so he would arrive with an understanding of how the Capitol works. He’s a principled Democrat but ready to strike compromises. Opponent Jeff Cason of Bedford comes from the same ultra-conservative wing of the GOP as the departing Rep. Jonathan Stickland.
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.
Texas House District 94: Democrat Alisa Simmons of Arlington has extensive leadership experience, including as head of the Arlington NAACP. She has smart, sensible ideas on dealing with the fallout of the pandemic and addressing police brutality. Republican Rep. Tony Tinderholt is a conservative firebrand too focused on making noise on social issues and not enough on the needs of the district.
Texas House District 96: This open seat drew two worthy candidates in Democrat Joe Drago and Republican David Cook, the former Mansfield mayor. Drago gets our nod, as we believe his policy positions align better with a changing district.
Texas House District 97: We wish both Republican Rep. Craig Goldman and Democratic challenger Elizabeth Beck could be in the House. We recommend voters retain Goldman, whose experience representing southwest Fort Worth has him potentially climbing the leadership ladder in Austin. Beck, a Fort Worth lawyer, would have potential to be a fine lawmaker, but the district needs Goldman’s clout.
Tarrant County sheriff: Democrat Vance Keyes has extensive experience as a Fort Worth police commander. His commitment to needed law-enforcement reform, including reducing the jail population, makes him a better option than incumbent Republican Bill Waybourn. The sheriff has made his office too political, including participating in an unnecessary and divisive immigration enforcement program. Keyes would restore balance.
Three local governments are also seeking significant tax increases. The Fort Worth and Arlington school districts would raise property tax rates to concentrate on teacher pay and retention and technology. And the city of Arlington wants a quarter-cent boost to the sales tax rate, with the money funding economic development efforts.
We did not make specific recommendations on these votes, but we generally believe governments need extraordinary reasons to raise taxes when unemployment remains high and the economy is unstable, as it is during the coronavirus pandemic.