In this Arlington City Council race, one candidate’s experience clearly stands out
It’s a rare opportunity for voters to elect a city council candidate who’s already got significant governing experience. Arlington voters should take it and vote for Bowie Hogg in the citywide District 7 race.
Hogg, a 44-year-old healthcare executive, is vice president of the Arlington ISD school board, where he was first elected in 2008. Experience on a governing board, where members have to learn how to get things done without much direct power, will give Hogg a head start on the council.
He said in our interview with the candidates that he would be dedicated to trying to improve road conditions in Arlington, bolster public safety in an area that’s seen increasing crime, and to helping rebuild small businesses that took a hit during the COVID pandemic.
Hogg grew up in Arlington and attended Arlington ISD schools. And if you think he looks familiar, it could be because you saw him on the first season of “The Apprentice.”
Cyndi Golden, who turns 69 just before Election Day, is a nurse anesthetist who served on Arlington’s Unity Council, which recommended changes to reduce disparities in the city. That’s also valuable experience, but it doesn’t quite match Hogg’s.
District 7 is one of two at-large districts on the council, meaning all Arlington voters can cast a ballot in the race. The winner will replace Victoria Farrar-Myers, who could not run again because of term limits. Early voting starts Monday; Election Day is May 7.
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.
