Who should replace Brian Byrd on Fort Worth City Council? Here’s our recommendation
Fort Worth City Council District 3 voters have the rare opportunity to choose a new representative without sacrificing much in terms of knowledge and experience.
Michael Crain currently serves as district director for council member Brian Byrd, who is leaving the seat to run for mayor. Crain, 48, has already been working in the west-southwest Fort Worth district, and he’s campaigning as a ready servant for each part of it.
Crain’s knowledge of the district far outshone his opponents in our interview with the candidates. The real estate broker demonstrated a nuanced understanding of the growth issues facing the district and other parts of the city. Crain touted his work with neighborhoods and developers to balance interests and ensure roads and other infrastructure are ready for an influx of residents.
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.
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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.
The open seat drew seven other candidates. While none can match Crain’s readiness, we were impressed with Daniel “Double T” Fattori, a Tarrant County detention officer with extensive military and law enforcement experience. He supports criminal justice reform that also addresses officers’ concerns.
But Fattori, 40, needs a little more seasoning. He’s campaigning with a focus on raising teacher salaries, a noble goal, but not one a City Council member can do much about.
Veteran Adrian Devine Smith, 41, focused mostly on vague complaints about the status quo. Andy Gallagher, a 65-year-old vehicle dealer, has run for council before.
The remaining candidates — counselor Michael Caceres; Tonya Carter, who works in customer service; small-business owner Katie Johnson; and magazine publisher Ann Low — could not attend our interview.
Early voting starts April 19. Election Day is May 1. If no candidate gets more than half the vote, the top two will advance to a June 5 runoff. Council members serve two-year terms and make $25,000 a year.